Abstract \n\nThis article presents the results of a study on the correlation between socio-economic development indicators in different regions of Slovenia and primary pupils\' academic achievement in external assessment. It is clear that Slovenian pupils’ results in the national examination system are correlated and strongly co-dependent on the development of the broader social environment. It is clear that these factors have more influence at the aggregate level in eastern Slovenia, particularly in Pomurska region. This means that disincentivising or negative environmental factors are present and stronger in eastern Slovenia. The reason for this situation lies in the importance of economic, cultural and social capital within the family, broader external influences of regional and socio-economic policy and in the existing social inequality and stratification. While this class stratification of society remains, so will the educational inequality, although appropriate broader policies and education policy can reduce the impact of the various forms of capital on the unequal academic performance of young people. Whether academic performance can be improved without improving the development of the broader social environment still remains the question.