The 2024 audit report presents the results of 36 audit actions conducted in 192 entities across various areas of state administration and local government. It also includes two opinions on the state closing account for 2023 and the state budget proposal for 2025. Based on the audit findings, the national authority for external control issued nearly 270 recommendations, and responsible entities subsequently adopted 580 measures. Last year, parliamentary committees reviewed 28 audit reports, while four reports were sent to the government. In ten cases, criminal complaints were filed based on the findings. Auditors noted chaos and fragmentation in strategic investment planning in one-third of the audits.

A key area of concern for SAO is public finances and their sustainability. The office repeatedly warns about the increasing public sector debt and the rising costs of its financing. In 2024, Slovakia had one of the highest debt financing costs in the eurozone. "The risk premium on Slovak bonds compared to German bonds is among the highest in the eurozone, negatively affecting debt financing costs," warns Andrassy. He adds that public sector debt could reach 59% of GDP this year, amounting to nearly €77 billion. Slovakia remains the only EU country classified as high-risk in terms of long-term public finance sustainability due to rapid population ageing, a generous pension system, and low economic growth. The SAO acknowledges the government's efforts to improve public finances but criticizes the insufficiency of the consolidation measures taken so far. The positive impact of these measures on the deficit has been dampened by new government priorities, particularly in the social sector. In 2025, social sector spending is projected to reach €19.6 billion, representing 14% of GDP and 29.5% of public sector budget expenditures.

Despite challenges in setting sustainable budgets and the lack of domestic financial resources, Slovakia fails to utilize European funds, which could help restore public finances. "European financial assistance is a unique opportunity to drive reforms and accelerate social progress. However, according to audit findings, Slovakia utilizes these resources minimally and with low efficiency," Andrassy emphasizes. Despite several simplifications in the 2021–2027 programming period, EU fund absorption has been significantly slower than in the previous period. By the end of 2024, Slovakia had drawn €382.3 million from the Programme Slovakia 2021–2027, only 3% of the allocation (as of early March 2025, this figure increased to €686.48 million, or 5.45%). By the end of the year, an additional €1.1 billion must be utilized, or the country risks losing these non-replicable funds. Under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, Slovakia received €3.5 billion in non-budgetary funds from the European Commission by the end of 2024, representing 54.2% of the total allocation. However, significant risks remain concerning procurement and the practical implementation of investment projects. By the end of 2024, Slovakia had met only a third of its milestones and targets.

In addition to monitoring fiscal policy objectives, SAO focused on evaluating the implementation of public policy objectives in the past year. The office observed a growing culture of irresponsibility among policymakers and civil servants, who do not feel accountable for long-term commitments. Violations of laws or regulations rarely result in personal accountability. Healthcare remains a key concern for SAO, with the lack of comprehensive data making it difficult to determine whether the system is adequately funded. "Large state hospitals continuously operate in a deficit. The debt cycle repeats itself, and debt relief measures address the consequences but not the root causes," Andrassy emphasized. SAO recommended centralizing and streamlining management processes at the Ministry of Health. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, Slovakia aims to centralize the management of major hospitals and establish a Central Management Unit, although implementation is delayed compared to initial plans.

Another key area SAO focused on in 2024 was the water industry. The renewal of public water supply and sewer systems should be an investment priority for all water utility companies, as their strategic responsibility stems not only from the law but also from their core mission. However, in reality, water utility companies' debt amounts to several billion euros, and annual water losses exceed millions of cubic meters of processed drinking water. Slovakia loses nearly one-third of its potable water due to outdated and leaking infrastructure, making it one of Europe's most at-risk countries in this sector. SAO welcomes the Ministry of Environment’s legislative proposals following the audit’s findings and the government’s deliberations. However, challenges remain, including revising water and sewage tariff regulations and actively utilizing national and European funds for modernizing water and sewage infrastructure, which is a key component of the state’s strategic infrastructure.