Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe Sarajevo
Population
3.65M
Area
51,197 km²
GDP
$28.34B
GDP Per Capita
$20,400
Pop. Density
71/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
KMBosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark(BAM)
Calling Code
+387
Timezone
UTC+01:00
Languages
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Bosnian, Herzegovinian
Background
After four centuries of Ottoman rule over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria-Hungary took control in 1878 and held the region until 1918, when it was incorporated into the newly created Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. After World War II, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).
Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the SFRY on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. Bosnian Serb militias, with the support of Serbia and Croatia, then tried to take control of territories they claimed as their own. From 1992 to 1995, ethnic cleansing campaigns killed thousands and displaced more than two million people. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement, and the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995.
The Dayton Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the agreement's implementation. In 1996, the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) took over responsibility for enforcing the peace. In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. As of 2022, EUFOR deploys around 1,600 troops in Bosnia in a peacekeeping capacity. Bosnia and Herzegovina became an official candidate for EU membership in 2022.
Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the SFRY on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. Bosnian Serb militias, with the support of Serbia and Croatia, then tried to take control of territories they claimed as their own. From 1992 to 1995, ethnic cleansing campaigns killed thousands and displaced more than two million people. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement, and the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995.
The Dayton Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the agreement's implementation. In 1996, the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) took over responsibility for enforcing the peace. In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. As of 2022, EUFOR deploys around 1,600 troops in Bosnia in a peacekeeping capacity. Bosnia and Herzegovina became an official candidate for EU membership in 2022.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑130.2% since 2006$13B (2006)$30B (2024)
Population
↓22.1% since 20064.1M (2006)3.2M (2024)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 77.8 years2006: 76.0 years2023: 77.8 years
Data source: World Bank Open Data
Geography18
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia
Geographic coordinates
44 00 N, 18 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 51,197 sq km
land: 51,187 sq km
water: 10 sq km
land: 51,187 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries
total: 1,543 km
border countries: Croatia 956 km; Montenegro 242 km; Serbia 345 km
border countries: Croatia 956 km; Montenegro 242 km; Serbia 345 km
Coastline
20 km
Maritime claims
NA
Climate
hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast
Terrain
mountains and valleys
Elevation
highest point: Maglic 2,386 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 500 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 500 m
Natural resources
coal, iron ore, antimony, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, timber, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land
21.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.8% (2023 est.)
forest
42.2% (2023 est.)
other
36.1% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
30 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution
the northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated
Natural hazards
destructive earthquakes
Geography - note
within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Montenegro
People & Society32
Population
total: 3,653,499 (2025 est.)
male: 1,778,548
female: 1,874,951
male: 1,778,548
female: 1,874,951
Nationality
noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)
adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian
adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian
Ethnic groups
Bosniak 50.1%, Serb 30.8%, Croat 15.4%, other 2.7%, not declared/no answer 1% (2013 est.)
Languages
Languages: Bosnian (official) 52.9%, Serbian (official) 30.8%, Croatian (official) 14.6%, other 1.6%, no answer 0.2% (2013 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Bosnian)
Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian)
Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
major-language sample(s):
Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Bosnian)
Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian)
Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 50.7%, Orthodox 30.7%, Roman Catholic 15.2%, atheist 0.8%, agnostic 0.3%, other 1.2%, undeclared/no answer 1.1% (2013 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 13.1% (male 257,444/female 240,209)
15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,305,271/female 1,290,920)
65 years and over: 18.6% (2024 est.) (male 289,449/female 415,378)
15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,305,271/female 1,290,920)
65 years and over: 18.6% (2024 est.) (male 289,449/female 415,378)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 44.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 16.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 27.8 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 16.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 27.8 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2025 est.)
Median age
total: 45.7 years (2025 est.)
male: 43.1 years
female: 46.5 years
male: 43.1 years
female: 46.5 years
Population growth rate
-0.67% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
6.88 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
12.29 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated
Urbanization
urban population: 50.3% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
346,000 SARAJEVO (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
27.7 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 78.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 75.5 years
female: 81.6 years
male: 75.5 years
female: 81.6 years
Total fertility rate
1.15 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.56 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 97.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 2.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 9.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 14.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 14.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.58 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density
2.3 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
17.9% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 5.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 4.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 4.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 34% (2025 est.)
male: 39.2% (2025 est.)
female: 29% (2025 est.)
male: 39.2% (2025 est.)
female: 29% (2025 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP): 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 10.2% national budget (2021 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 10.2% national budget (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2023 est.)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 15 years (2023 est.)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 15 years (2023 est.)
Government25
Country name
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Bosnia and Herzegovina
local long form
none
local short form
Bosna i Hercegovina
former
People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
abbreviation
BiH
etymology
the larger northern territory is named for the Bosna River; the smaller southern section takes its name from the Old Serbian word herceg, meaning "duke," combined with the possessive -ov and the suffix -ina, meaning "country," to denote "dukedom"
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Sarajevo
geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the name derives from the Turkish word saray, meaning "palace" or "mansion"
geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the name derives from the Turkish word saray, meaning "palace" or "mansion"
Administrative divisions
3 first-order administrative divisions - Brcko District (Brcko Distrikt) (ethnically mixed), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine) (predominantly Bosniak-Croat), Republika Srpska (predominantly Serb)
Legal system
civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
Constitution
history: 14 December 1995 (constitution included as part of the Dayton Peace Accords)
amendment process: decided by the Parliamentary Assembly, including a two-thirds majority vote of members present in the House of Representatives; the constitutional article on human rights and fundamental freedoms cannot be amended
amendment process: decided by the Parliamentary Assembly, including a two-thirds majority vote of members present in the House of Representatives; the constitutional article on human rights and fundamental freedoms cannot be amended
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina
dual citizenship recognized: yes, provided there is a bilateral agreement with the other state
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina
dual citizenship recognized: yes, provided there is a bilateral agreement with the other state
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Suffrage
18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
Chairperson of the Presidency Zeljko KOMSIC (chairperson since 16 July 2025; presidency member since 20 November 2018 - Croat seat); Denis BECIROVIC (presidency member since 16 November 2022 - Bosniak seat); Zeljka CVIJANOVIC (presidency member since 16 November 2022 - Serb seat)
head of government
Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana KRISTO (since 25 January 2023)
cabinet
Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairperson, approved by the state-level House of Representatives
election/appointment process
3-member presidency (1 Bosniak and 1 Croat elected from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 1 Serb elected from the Republika Srpska) directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term but then ineligible for 4 years); the presidency chairpersonship rotates every 8 months, with the new member of the presidency elected with the highest number of votes starting the new mandate as chair; the chairperson of the Council of Ministers appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the state-level House of Representatives
most recent election date
2 October 2022
election results
2022: percent of vote - Denis BECIROVIC - (SDP BiH) 57.4% - Bosniak seat; Zeljko KOMSIC (DF) 55.8% - Croat seat; Zeljka CVIJANOVIC (SNSD) 51.7% - Serb seat
2018: percent of vote - Milorad DODIK (SNSD) 53.9% - Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC (DF) 52.6% - Croat seat; Sefik DZAFEROVIC (SDA) 36.6% - Bosniak seat
expected date of next election
October 2026
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliamentary Assembly (Skupstina)
legislative structure: bicameral
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Predstavnicki dom)
number of seats
42 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
2/16/2023
parties elected and seats per party
Party of Democratic Action (SDA) (9); Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) (6); Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDP) (5); HDZ BiH, HSS, HSP BiH, HKDU, HSPAS, HDU, HSPHB, HRAST (4); Democratic Front (DF) - Civic Alliance (GS) (3); People and Justice (NAROD I PRAVDA) (3); (3); Republican Party of the Social Order (PROS) (3); Other (15)
percentage of women in chamber
19%
expected date of next election
October 2026
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
House of Peoples (Dom Naroda)
number of seats
15 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
10/2/2022
percentage of women in chamber
6.7%
expected date of next election
February 2027
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); Court of BiH (consists of 44 national judges and 7 international judges organized into 3 divisions - Administrative, Appellate, and Criminal, which includes a War Crimes Chamber)
judge selection and term of office: BiH Constitutional Court judges - 4 selected by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Representatives, 2 selected by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and 3 non-Bosnian judges selected by the president of the European Court of Human Rights; Court of BiH president and national judges appointed by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council; Court of BiH president appointed for renewable 6-year term; other national judges appointed to serve until age 70; international judges recommended by the president of the Court of BiH and appointed by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina; international judges appointed to serve until age 70
subordinate courts: the Federation has 10 cantonal courts plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has a supreme court, 5 district courts, and a number of municipal courts
judge selection and term of office: BiH Constitutional Court judges - 4 selected by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Representatives, 2 selected by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and 3 non-Bosnian judges selected by the president of the European Court of Human Rights; Court of BiH president and national judges appointed by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council; Court of BiH president appointed for renewable 6-year term; other national judges appointed to serve until age 70; international judges recommended by the president of the Court of BiH and appointed by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina; international judges appointed to serve until age 70
subordinate courts: the Federation has 10 cantonal courts plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has a supreme court, 5 district courts, and a number of municipal courts
Political parties
Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD
Bosnian-Herzegovinian Initiative or BHI KF
Civic Alliance or GS
Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BiH
Democratic Front or DF
Democratic Union or DEMOS
For Justice and Order
Our Party or NS/HC
Party for Democratic Action or SDA
Party of Democratic Progress or PDP
People and Justice Party or NiP
People's European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or NES
Serb Democratic Party or SDS
Social Democratic Party or SDP
United Srpska or US
Bosnian-Herzegovinian Initiative or BHI KF
Civic Alliance or GS
Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BiH
Democratic Front or DF
Democratic Union or DEMOS
For Justice and Order
Our Party or NS/HC
Party for Democratic Action or SDA
Party of Democratic Progress or PDP
People and Justice Party or NiP
People's European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or NES
Serb Democratic Party or SDS
Social Democratic Party or SDP
United Srpska or US
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
Ambassador Sven ALKALAJ (since 30 June 2023)
chancery
2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone
[1] (202) 337-1500
FAX
[1] (202) 337-1502
email address and website
info@bhembassy.org
http://www.bhembassy.org/index.html
consulate(s) general
Chicago
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires John GINKEL (since September 2025)
embassy
1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000 Sarajevo
mailing address
7130 Sarajevo Place, Washington DC 20521-7130
telephone
[387] (33) 704-000
FAX
[387] (33) 659-722
email address and website
sarajevoACS@state.gov
https://ba.usembassy.gov/
branch office(s)
Banja Luka, Mostar
International organization participation
BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Independence
1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 March (1992) and Statehood Day, 25 November (1943) - both observed in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity; Victory Day, 9 May (1945) and Dayton Agreement Day, 21 November (1995) - both observed in the Republika Srpska entity
Flag
description: a wide blue vertical band on the right side, with a large yellow isosceles triangle in the middle of the flag, based at the top; the rest of the flag is blue, with seven five-pointed white stars and two half-stars along the triangle's hypotenuse
meaning: the triangle approximates the country's shape, and its three points stand for the Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs; the stars represent Europe; the colors (white, blue, and yellow) are traditional and are also associated with neutrality and peace
meaning: the triangle approximates the country's shape, and its three points stand for the Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs; the stars represent Europe; the colors (white, blue, and yellow) are traditional and are also associated with neutrality and peace
National symbol(s)
golden lily
National color(s)
blue, yellow, white
National anthem(s)
title: "Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
lyrics/music: none officially/Dusan SESTIC
history: music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2009 were accepted by a parliamentary commission but are still awaiting adoption, so the anthem remains officially wordless
lyrics/music: none officially/Dusan SESTIC
history: music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2009 were accepted by a parliamentary commission but are still awaiting adoption, so the anthem remains officially wordless
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Old Bridge Area of Mostar (c); Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad (c); Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe - Janj Forest (n); Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno (n)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Old Bridge Area of Mostar (c); Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad (c); Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe - Janj Forest (n); Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno (n)
Economy30
Economic overview
import-dominated economy; remains consumption-heavy; lack of private sector investments and diversification; jointly addressing structural economic challenges; Chinese energy infrastructure investments; high unemployment; tourism industry impacted by COVID-19
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $64.641 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $63.077 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $61.843 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $63.077 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $61.843 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 2.5% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $20,400 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $19,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $19,300 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $19,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $19,300 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$28.343 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 1.7% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 6.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 14% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 6.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 14% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 4.3% (2024 est.)
industry: 22% (2024 est.)
services: 58% (2024 est.)
industry: 22% (2024 est.)
services: 58% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
68.3% (2023 est.)
government consumption
19.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
23.1% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
3.2% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
43.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-55.7% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products
maize, milk, vegetables, potatoes, plums, wheat, apples, barley, chicken, tomatoes (2023)
Industries
steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, ammunition, domestic appliances, oil refining
Industrial production growth rate
-2.4% (2024 est.)
Labor force
1.356 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 10.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 10.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 12.7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 10.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 12.7% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 27.3% (2024 est.)
male: 25.4% (2024 est.)
female: 30.9% (2024 est.)
male: 25.4% (2024 est.)
female: 30.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
16.9% (2015 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food: 32.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 7.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 7.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2024: 11% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 10.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 10.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 10.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 10.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
revenues: $10.196 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $10.463 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $10.463 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023: 40.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
19.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2024: -$1.176 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$638.769 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$1.078 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$638.769 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$1.078 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2024: $12.141 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $12.126 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $11.838 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $12.126 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $11.838 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 15%, Croatia 14%, Serbia 12%, Austria 10%, Slovenia 9% (2023)
Exports - commodities
footwear, electricity, garments, plastic products, insulated wire (2023)
Imports
Imports 2024: $16.202 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $15.37 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $15.166 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $15.37 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $15.166 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
Italy 13%, Germany 11%, Serbia 11%, China 9%, Croatia 8% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, garments, plastic products, packaged medicine (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $9.419 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $9.205 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $8.762 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $9.205 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $8.762 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023: $5.359 billion (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
1.808 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1.809 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1.859 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1.654 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
1.717 (2020 est.)
Energy7
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 4.682 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 12.867 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 7.104 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 3.6 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.339 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 12.867 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 7.104 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 3.6 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.339 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 64% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 31.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 31.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 12.311 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 12.304 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 1.254 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.327 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 2.264 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 12.304 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 1.254 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.327 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 2.264 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 34,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 228.855 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 228.855 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 228.855 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 91.227 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 583,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 3.84 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
3 public TV broadcasters: Radio and TV of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation TV (operating 2 networks), and Republika Srpska Radio-TV; a local commercial network of 5 TV stations; 3 private, near-national TV stations and dozens of small independent TV stations; 3 large public radio broadcasters and many private radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.ba
Internet users
percent of population: 83% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 908,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2023 est.)
Transportation5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T9
Airports
20 (2025)
Heliports
3 (2025)
Railways
total: 965 km (2014)
standard gauge: 965 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (565 km electrified)
standard gauge: 965 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (565 km electrified)
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
0
medium
0
small
1
very small
0
ports with oil terminals
0
key ports
Neum
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH or Oruzanih Snaga Bosne i Hercegovine, OSBiH): Army, Air, Air Defense forces organized into an Operations Command and a Support Command
Ministry of Security: Border Police (2025)
Ministry of Security: Border Police (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024: 0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 10,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory of weapons and equipment is a combination of material originating from the former Soviet Union/former Yugoslavia and some newer acquisitions from suppliers such as Türkiye, the UK, and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 -27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in January 2006 (2025)
Military - note
the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) are responsible for territorial defense, providing assistance to civil authorities during disasters or other emergencies, and participating in collective security and peace support operations; each of the AFBiH's three combat brigades are headquartered inside of their respective ethnicity territory, while its main headquarters is in Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina aspires to join NATO; Bosnia and Herzegovina joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 2006 and was invited to join NATO’s Membership Action Plan in 2010; the AFBiH is undergoing a 10-year (2017-2027) defense modernization and reform program for preparing to join and integrate with NATO; it has contributed small numbers of troops to EU, NATO, and UN missions
NATO maintains a military headquarters in Sarajevo with the mission of assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina with the PfP program and promoting closer integration with NATO, as well as providing logistics and other support to the EU Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR), which has operated in the country to oversee implementation of the Dayton/Paris Agreement since taking over from NATO's Stabilization Force (SFOR) in 2004 (2025)
NATO maintains a military headquarters in Sarajevo with the mission of assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina with the PfP program and promoting closer integration with NATO, as well as providing logistics and other support to the EU Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR), which has operated in the country to oversee implementation of the Dayton/Paris Agreement since taking over from NATO's Stabilization Force (SFOR) in 2004 (2025)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 685 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 94,796 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 23 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 94,796 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 23 (2024 est.)
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