Slovak Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Slovakia lies in the heart of central Europe, with the High Tatra mountains in the north and the Danube in the south. Its capital is Bratislava. Many Slovaks came to Britain after 2004, and they include workers, families, students and Slovak Roma families.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 692 Birmingham residents described their ethnic group as Slovak; and 762 residents gave Slovak as their main language. Main language figures leave out the many bilingual residents who use English day to day, so the number who speak the language at home is higher still.

Working for Birmingham

Slovak residents work in manufacturing, logistics, construction, food production, hospitality and care, and Slovak professionals work in healthcare, engineering and IT. Slovakia is a major car producer, and Slovak workers bring skills that suit Birmingham's manufacturing sector.

The city's future rests on the same things as its past: skills, enterprise and people willing to put in the hours. Whether in a hospital, a classroom, a lecture theatre, a van full of tools or a shop on a busy high street, Slovak residents are helping to build that future, and to make Birmingham a stronger, fairer and more welcoming city.

Culture and community life

Bryndzove halusky, potato dumplings with sheep's cheese, is the national dish, and Christmas is marked with carp and cabbage soup. The fujara, a long shepherd's flute, is recognised by UNESCO, and folk dance and music are cherished traditions.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Slovak community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.