Country Profile: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Southeastern European nation located in the Balkan Peninsula, characterized by its mountainous terrain and valleys. With a population of approximately 3.8 million, it has a diverse demographic, including Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. The economy is import-dominated and heavily reliant on consumption, facing challenges such as high unemployment and insufficient private sector investment. Governance is structured as a parliamentary republic with complex arrangements reflecting its multiethnic society, established through the Dayton Peace Accords after the Bosnian War.

Geography

Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia, and features a diverse landscape of mountains and valleys. The country covers an area of 51,197 square kilometers, with a small coastline of 20 kilometers along the Adriatic Sea. Its climate varies, presenting hot summers and cold winters, particularly in high-elevation areas.

44.2% of land is agricultural (2022).
42.7% of land is covered by forests (2022).
The highest elevation is 2,386 m at Mount Maglic.
1,543 km total land boundaries shared with Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia.

People and Society

The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated at 3,798,671 in 2024, with a balanced gender distribution. Ethnic groups include 50.1% Bosniaks, 30.8% Serbs, and 15.4% Croats. The country has a median age of 44.8 years and a birth rate of 8.2 births per 1,000 population.

50.3% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
78.5 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024).
27.3% youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) estimated for 2024.
17.9% of the adult population is classified as obese (2016).

Economy

Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy is marked by high unemployment rates and dependency on imports, with a GDP (PPP) estimated at $63.1 billion for 2023. The economy relies heavily on the service sector, which constitutes 58% of GDP, while agriculture and industry contribute 4.3% and 22%, respectively.

10.8% unemployment rate projected for 2024.
Real GDP per capita expected at $20,400 in 2024.
68.3% of household consumption accounted for (2023).
Public debt stands at 40.3% of GDP (2023).

Government

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a parliamentary republic with a government structure comprising a bicameral legislature and a three-member presidency. The government reflects the country's multiethnic composition and operates under a complex political framework established by the Dayton Accords.

Capital: Sarajevo.
18 years is the minimum voting age.
The most recent election took place on October 2, 2022.
The Constitution was enacted on December 14, 1995.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina include ground and air defense units, focusing on territorial defense and support during emergencies. The military has undergone modernization efforts to integrate with NATO since joining its Partnership for Peace program in 2006.

Approximately 10,000 active-duty military personnel (2024).
Military expenditures at 0.8% of GDP for 2024.
Conscription has been abolished since 2005.

Energy

Bosnia and Herzegovina's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels and hydropower, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 4.682 million kW. The country has made strides in electrification, achieving 100% access for the total population by 2022.

64% of electricity comes from fossil fuels (2023).
Coal production reached 12.311 million metric tons (2023).
Total energy consumption per capita is estimated at 91.227 million Btu (2023).

Environment

Bosnia and Herzegovina faces several environmental challenges, including air pollution, deforestation, and inadequate waste management. The country has made commitments to various international environmental agreements, focusing on biodiversity and climate change.

44.2% of land used for agriculture (2022).
42.7% of land is forested (2022).
Urban population experiencing 50.3% of total population (2023).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways and roads, with the capital city of Sarajevo being central to the system. The country has 20 airports and a single small port.

The total railway length is 965 km (2014).
3 heliports in operation (2025).
The only operational port is located at Neum.

Communications

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a growing telecommunications sector, with high mobile and internet penetration rates. As of 2023, about 83% of the population is reported to use the internet.

3.87 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
908,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
614,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,798,671	Estimated for 2024
Area	51,197 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$63.1 billion	Estimated for 2023
Unemployment Rate	10.8%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	8.2 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	78.5 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditures	0.8% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Electricity Access	100%	Estimated for 2022
Total Energy Consumption	91.227 million Btu	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	50.3%	Estimated for 2023