Country Profile: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in Southeastern Europe, bordered by the Adriatic Sea and Croatia. The country is characterized by a complex multiethnic society comprising primarily Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. Economically, Bosnia and Herzegovina has an import-dominated economy marked by high unemployment and a lack of private sector investments. Its governance is structured as a parliamentary republic with a high degree of ethnic representation, shaped significantly by the Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian War in the 1990s.

Geography

Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated in Southeastern Europe, with a total area of 51,197 sq km and a coastline of 20 km along the Adriatic Sea. The country has a mountainous terrain and diverse climate, featuring hot summers and cold winters. The highest point is Maglic at 2,386 m, while the lowest point is at the Adriatic Sea (0 m). It shares borders with Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia, with a total land boundary of 1,543 km.

21.7% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.).
42.2% of land area is covered by forests (2023 est.).
Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two main entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.

People and Society

The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated at 3,653,499 as of 2025, with a median age of 45.7 years. The country is home to a multiethnic society, with Bosniaks constituting approximately 50.1%, Serbs 30.8%, and Croats 15.4%. The predominant religions are Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Roman Catholicism. The country faces a declining population growth rate of -0.67% due to high emigration and a low birth rate.

50.3% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
The life expectancy stands at 78.5 years (2024 est.).
34% of the population uses tobacco, with a higher rate among males (39.2%).

Economy

Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy is heavily reliant on imports, with a GDP of $28.343 billion projected for 2024. The economy is service-oriented, with services comprising 58% of the GDP. There is a notable lack of investment in the private sector, leading to high unemployment rates, which are estimated at 10.8% for 2024. The tourism industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Real GDP growth is projected to be 2.5% for 2024.
The unemployment rate for youth (ages 15-24) is at 27.3% (2024 est.).
16.9% of the population lives below the poverty line (2015 est.).

Government

Bosnia and Herzegovina operates as a parliamentary republic with a complex political structure designed to reflect its ethnic diversity. The government is divided into two entities, each with its own constitution. The capital is Sarajevo, which also serves as the political and cultural center of the country. The executive branch is headed by a three-member presidency, representing the main ethnic groups.

The last parliamentary elections took place on 2 October 2022.
The current chairperson of the Council of Ministers is Borjana Kristo (since January 2023).
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate for EU membership as of 2022.

Military and Security

Bosnia and Herzegovina maintains an armed forces structure consisting of Army, Air, and Air Defense forces. The country has approximately 10,000 active military personnel and invests about 0.8% of GDP in military expenditures. The military relies on a mix of legacy equipment from the former Yugoslavia and newer acquisitions from various international partners.

Conscription was ended in January 2006; military service is voluntary for ages 18-27.
Bosnia and Herzegovina aspires to join NATO and participates in the Membership Action Plan.

Energy

The country's energy sector is diverse, with 100% electrification of the population achieved by 2022. Bosnia and Herzegovina generates a substantial portion of its electricity from fossil fuels, alongside significant contributions from hydroelectric sources.

Total electricity generation capacity is 4.682 million kW (2023 est.).
Coal production reached 12.311 million metric tons in 2023.
Natural gas consumption is estimated at 228.855 million cubic meters (2023 est.).

Environment

Bosnia and Herzegovina faces several environmental challenges, including air pollution, deforestation, and inadequate waste management. The country is committed to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity.

Approximately 24.513 million metric tons of CO2 emissions were reported in 2023.
Urban areas are experiencing 50.3% population density, leading to increased waste generation.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 20 airports and a railway network spanning 965 km. The country has one significant port located in Neum.

Railways are primarily of standard gauge, with 565 km electrified.
There are 3 heliports in the country (2025).

Communications

Bosnia and Herzegovina boasts a growing communications sector, with 83% of the population using the internet as of 2023. The country operates several public and private broadcasting networks.

There are about 583,000 fixed telephone lines and 3.84 million mobile subscriptions as of 2024.
908,000 fixed broadband subscriptions are recorded (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,653,499	2025 est.
Area (sq km)	51,197	Total area
GDP (official exchange rate)	$28.343 billion	2024 est.
Unemployment rate	10.8%	2024 est.
Life expectancy (years)	78.5	2024 est.
Birth rate	6.88/1,000	2025 est.
Energy consumption per capita	91.227 million Btu	2023 est.
Carbon dioxide emissions	24.513 million metric tons	2023 est.
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	0.8%	2024 est.
Area under forest (percentage)	42.2%	2023 est.