Slovaks are a recognized ethnic minority in Serbia. According to data from the 2022 census, the population of ethnic Slovaks in Serbia is 41,730, constituting 0.6% of the total population.
They mainly live in Vojvodina, where they number 39,807, being the third largest ethnic group (after Serbs and Hungarians) and make up 2.3% of the province's population. Unlike most other ethnic Slovaks, both in Slovakia and in the diaspora, Slovaks in Serbia are predominantly Protestant (Evangelical-Augsburg Church, a Lutheran Protestant denomination) by faith and not Catholic.
The modern Slovaks in Vojvodina are descendants of 18th- and 19th-century settlers, who migrated from the territory of present-day Slovakia. First Slovak settlers from area around Tatra migrated to BaÃÂka during the rule of Karlo I; in 1720 Slovaks settled in Bajà ¡a, in 1740 in Petrovac and Futog, and in 1742 (during the rule of Maria Theresa) in Bezdan. Some of them also later moved to Syrmia. In 1760, 120 Slovak families were settled in SelenÃÂa, but they later moved to Stara Pazova in Syrmia.
In 1783, Slovaks settled in KisaÃÂ, Kruà ¡ÃÂiÃÂ, Gloà ¾an, and BaÃÂka Topola. Part of them also settled in Bajà ¡a. In 1790âÂÂ1791, Slovaks settled in Pivnice, in 1792 in Banatska Palanka, and in 1793 in Novi Slankamen. In 1784âÂÂ1787, Slovaks settled in MeÃÂa. In 1792 Slovaks settled in BaÃÂka Palanka. Some of them moved in 1788 to Aradac and EÃÂka, and some of them later also moved to LaliÃÂ.
In 1800, Slovaks settled in KovaÃÂica, and in 1806 and 1809 in Padina. In 1806, one group of Slovaks settled in ÃÂoka, and in 1809 in Krajià ¡nik. In 1825, Slovaks settled in Banatski Dvor, and in 1830 in Stari Lec. In 1850, 20 Slovak families were settled in Grk. In 1868, Slovaks settled in Vojlovica. At the same time, some Slovaks also settled in Ivanovo. In 1887, Slovaks were settled in Belo Blato, and in 1899 in SilaÃÂi colony near Apatin.
According to data from the 1880 census, Slovaks were the sixth largest ethnic group within present-day Vojvodina and they numbered 43,318. By the end of the World War I, many of the Slovaks were hungarized.
There are two municipalities in Vojvodina with absolute or Slovak relative ethnic majorities: BaÃÂki Petrovac (66.4% of population) and KovaÃÂica (41%). The towns of KovaÃÂica and BaÃÂki Petrovac are the cultural centers of Slovaks in Serbia. Slovak is one of the six official languages of the provincial administration of Vojvodina.
The settlements with Slovak ethnic majority are:
The settlements with Slovak ethnic plurality are:
The National Council of Slovak Ethnic Minority in Serbia is a representation body of Slovaks, established for the protection of the rights and the minority self-government of Slovaks in Serbia.