Jan 6, 2022, 4:32 PM I Quality content

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The Covid-19 pandemic has hit city budgets all over Slovakia, and the capital is no exception.

The coronavirus crisis wiped €25million from the city’s revenue in 2020 and authorities believe last year’s figure was similar.

A budget for 2022 was approved late last year, and there are fears that further lockdowns this year could lead to a further drop in revenue.

But at the same time city officials worry about the effect Covid-19 could have on their coffers over the next 12 months, they say they also have to deal with population undercounting. of the capital during the recent census which will affect the amount of funding Bratislava will receive.

Under the Slovak system of financing municipalities and self-governing regions, cities receive part of the funds from the income tax of their residents. The greater the number of inhabitants of a city, the greater the amount of funds allocated to it.

Based on the 2021 census, the Slovak Statistical Office estimated the capital’s population at 475,503. But city authorities say that’s at least 20,000 less than the actual figure – meaning it will receive €7million a year less in funding based on road tax revenue. income, until at least the next census scheduled for 2031.

“The Bratislava region generates nearly 30% of Slovakia’s total GDP, but the share of personal income tax [which the Bratislava region receives] is only 14% [of total individuals’ income tax in Slovakia]Bratislava Mayor Matúš Vallo told Slovak radio.