The Nitra Region (Slovak:Nitriansky kraj, pronounced[ˈɲitrɪɐnskiˈkraj]; Hungarian:Nyitrai kerület) is one of the administrative regions of Slovakia. It was first established in 1923 and from 1996 exists in its present borders. It consists of seven districts (okres) and 354 municipalities, of which 16 have a town status. The economy of the region focuses more on agriculture, than in other Slovak regions. Nitra is its seat, largest city, and cultural and economic center.

Geography

This region with a long history is situated in the southwest of Slovakia, mostly in the eastern part of the Danubian Lowland. It is divided into two sub-units: the Danubian Flat in the south-west, with eastern part of the Žitný ostrov island, and the Danubian Hills in the north, centre and east. Mountain ranges reaching into the region are: Považský Inovec in the north-west, where the region's highest point, Veľký Inovec, is located, Tribeč in the north from Nitra, Pohronský Inovec in the north-east and Štiavnické vrchy in the east. Major rivers are the Danube in the south, Váh in the south-west, Nitra in the western-central part, Hron in the east and Ipeľ in the south-east. As for administrative divisions, the region borders Trenčín Region in the north, Banská Bystrica Region in the east, Hungarian Pest in the south-east, Komárom-Esztergom in the south, and Győr-Moson-Sopron county in the south-west and Trnava Region in the west.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1970678,733—
1980708,634+4.4%
1991716,846+1.2%
2001713,422−0.5%
2011689,867−3.3%
2021677,900−1.7%
Source: Censuses
Population statistic (10 years)
Year1995200520152025
Count717,624708,498682,527661,995
Difference−1.27%−3.66%−3.00%
Population statistic
Year20242025
Count665,600661,995
Difference−0.54%

It has a population of 661,995 people (31 December 2025). The population density in the region is 104.35/km2(270.3/sqmi) (2025), which is very similar to the country's average (110 per km2). The largest towns are Nitra, Komárno, Nové Zámky and Levice.

Ethnicity

Census 2021 (1+ %)
EthnicityNumberFraction
Slovak484,49471.46%
Hungarian160,58423.68%
Not found out44,8536.61%
Total677,900

In year 2021 was 677,900 people by ethnicity 484,494 as Slovak, 160,584 as Hungarian, 44,853 as Not found out, 5478 as Romani, 4290 as Czech, 1971 as Other, 904 as Russian, 583 as Ukrainian, 524 as German, 481 as Polish, 440 as Rusyn, 386 as Vietnamese, 315 as Italian, 268 as Romanian, 170 as Chinese, 169 as English, 166 as Jewish, 164 as Moravian, 156 as Serbian, 153 as Croatian, 147 as Bulgarian, 120 as Turkish, 115 as Austrian, 114 as Albanian, 77 as Greek, 64 as French, 56 as Canadian, 53 as Irish, 18 as Korean, 16 as Silesian and 7 as Iranian.

Note on population: The difference values of population numbers in the table "Population statistic" and in the sections "Ethnicity" & "Religion" is caused by the use of various statistical methods.

Religion

Census 2021 (1+ %)
ReligionNumberFraction
Roman Catholic Church413,45860.99%
None155,83222.99%
Not found out47,4857%
Calvinist Church24,2103.57%
Evangelical Church17,8252.63%
Total677,900

In year 2021 was 677,900 people by religion 413,458 from Roman Catholic Church, 155,832 from None, 47,485 from Not found out, 24,210 from Calvinist Church, 17,825 from Evangelical Church, 4204 from Greek Catholic Church, 2763 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 1817 from Ad hoc movements, 1657 from Other, 1522 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 1117 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 975 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 759 from Buddhism, 684 from Baptists Church, 676 from Church of the Brethren, 638 from Apostolic Church, 497 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 462 from Islam, 412 from Old Catholic Church, 309 from United Methodist Church, 181 from Jewish community, 175 from Seventh-day Adventist Church, 112 from Hinduism, 52 from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 from Czechoslovak Hussite Church, 22 from Bahá'i Community and 6 from New Apostolic Church.

Economy and climate

The city of Nitra is also the centre of whole region. The region—which is the warmest in Slovakia—reaches a high production of wheat, rye and vegetables. Significant industries are: the food industry, with breweries in Topoľčany, Nitra and Hurbanovo, are machinery (fridges in Zlaté Moravce, shipyards in Komárno) and energy (Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant).

Politics

Current governor of Banská Bystrica region is Milan Belica (Smer-SD). He won with 34,1%. In election 2017 was elected also regional parliament:

Nitra Region is known to be a strong hold of Hungarian Parties such as SMK/MKP.

2017 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica (Smer–SD) over many another candidates.

Political partySeats won+/-PercentageElectoral leader
Coalition led by Smer–SD17431,48%Jozef Dvonč
Independents151127,77%Peter Oremus
SMK-MKP11320,37%Miklós Viola
Centre-right coalition10418,51%Ján Greššo
ĽSNS111,85%Milan Uhrík

2013 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica (Smer–SD) over centre-right candidate Tomáš Galbavý (SDKÚ–DS), who was supported by SaS, OKS, NOVA, Most–Híd, SMK-MKP.

Parties and coalitions%Seats+/-
Social Democrats35.19194
Christian Democrats24.07136
Smer–SD, KDH59.263210
SMK–MKP25.93141
SMK–MKP25.93141
Independents7.4141
Independents7.4141
SDKÚ–DS1.8518
Most–Híd1.8511
NOVA1.8511
SDKÚ–DS, OKS, SaS, NOVA, Most–Híd5.5536
Nationalists1.8511
SNS1.8511

2009 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica (Smer–SD), who was supported by SDKÚ–DS and KDH.

Political partySeats won+/-PercentageElectoral leader
Smer–SD15427,78%Jozef Dvonč
SMK-MKP13424,07%Arpád Horváth
SDKÚ–DS9416,67%Tibor Tóth
KDH7012,96%Ján Vančo
ĽS–HZDS7312,96%Lýdia Forrová
Independents335,56%Anton Marek

2005 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica, who was supported by ASV, KSS, ĽB, ĽS–HZDS, PSNS, ZSNS. His rival in second round of elections was Ján Greššo (DS, SDKÚ).

Political partySeats won+/-PercentageElectoral leader
SMK-MKP171432,69%László Fekete
Smer–SD11921,15%Juraj Horváth
ĽS–HZDS101019,23%Jozef Hasilla
KDH7713,46%Ján Vančo
SDKÚ559,62%Tibor Tóth
SNS111,92%Igor Varga
HZD111,92%Albert Hačko

2001 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica, who was supported by HZDS, SOP, SDĽ and Centre party. His rival in second round of elections was Miklós Fehér (SMK-MKP).

Political partySeats wonPercentageElectoral leader
SMK-MKP3159,62%Tibor Bastrnák
Centre-left coalition2038,46%Jozef Dvonč
SNS11,92%Peter Lisý

Administrative divisions

The Nitra Region consists of 7 districts. There are 354 municipalities, of which 16 are towns.

DistrictArea [km2]Population
Komárno1100.1498,217
Levice1551.12107,319
Nitra870.71164,220
Nové Zámky1347.03133,309
Šaľa355.9049,514
Topoľčany597.6268,831
Zlaté Moravce521.1640,585

Population and area values are current for year 2025.

Places of interest

Photo gallery

See also

  • Kopa, Ľudovít; etal. (2006). . Bratislava, Slovakia: Encyclopaedic Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. ISBN80-224-0925-1.

External links

  • Official website