Country exposure · BK
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe · Sarajevo · parliamentary republic
What Bosnia and Herzegovina means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
4M
Population
$28.3B
GDP
U.S. exposure
Minimal direct economic exposure
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a significant U.S. goods-trade partner and has no tracked tariff actions. Policy changes here are unlikely to reach American prices directly.
Reference
The country itself
Europe · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
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.
Geography
- Location
- Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia
- Area
- 51,197 sq km
- 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
- Natural resources
- coal, iron ore, antimony, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, timber, hydropower
- Coastline
- 20 km
- Natural hazards
- destructive earthquakes
People & society
- Population
- 3,653,499 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)
- Ethnic groups
- Bosniak 50.1%, Serb 30.8%, Croat 15.4%, other 2.7%, not declared/no answer 1% (2013 est.)
- Languages
- Bosnian (official) 52.9%, Serbian (official) 30.8%, Croatian (official) 14.6%, other 1.6%, no answer 0.2% (2013 est.)
- 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.)
- Median age
- 45.7 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 78.5 years (2024 est.)
Economy
- 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
- Industries
- steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, ammunition, domestic appliances, oil refining
- Agricultural products
- maize, milk, vegetables, potatoes, plums, wheat, apples, barley, chicken, tomatoes (2023)
- Exports - partners
- Germany 15%, Croatia 14%, Serbia 12%, Austria 10%, Slovenia 9% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- Italy 13%, Germany 11%, Serbia 11%, China 9%, Croatia 8% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- parliamentary republic
- Capital
- Sarajevo
- Independence
- 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia)
- Constitution
- 14 December 1995 (constitution included as part of the Dayton Peace Accords)
- Executive branch
- 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)
- Legislative branch
- Parliamentary Assembly (Skupstina)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to terrorism and land mines. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 3 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 3 months.
US Embassy/Consulate
[387] (33) 704-000; US Embassy in Sarajevo, 1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; https://ba.usembassy.gov/; sarajevoACS@state.gov
Telephone Code
387
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 124; Fire: 123; Police: 122
Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/
Climate
Hot summers and cool winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast
Currency (Code)
Konvertibilna markas (BAM)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages
Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian
Major 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%
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
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Sarajevo; Mostar (includes Old Bridge); Blagaj; Pocitelj; Kravica Waterfalls; Stecci Medieval tombstone graveyard; Medjugorje
Major Sports
Soccer, basketball
Cultural Practices
Most hostels will request you to remove shoes before entering.
Tipping Guidelines
It is common to leave a 10-15% tip for good restaurant service. Bartenders and wait staff do not include a tip on the bill. Taxi drivers will often round their fare up, but a few extra markas will go a long way. A tip of 50 cents (USD) a night is appropriate for hotel maid staff.
Souvenirs
Wood-carved items, copper cookware and brassware, ceramics, handmade carpets, hand-embroidered clothing and linens, leather boxes, liquor
Traditional Cuisine
Ćevapi — grilled ground beef kebabs served with chopped raw onions
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Geography
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
Area - land
51,187 sq km
Area - water
10 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries - total
1,543 km
Land boundaries - 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
Elevation - lowest point
Adriatic Sea 0 m
Elevation - 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.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.8% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
42.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - 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 and Society
Population - total
3,653,499 (2025 est.)
Population - male
1,778,548
Population - female
1,874,951
Nationality - noun
Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Bosnian, Herzegovinian
Ethnic groups
Bosniak 50.1%, Serb 30.8%, Croat 15.4%, other 2.7%, not declared/no answer 1% (2013 est.)
Ethnic groups - note
note: Republika Srpska authorities dispute the methodology and refuse to recognize the results; Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam
Languages - Languages
Bosnian (official) 52.9%, Serbian (official) 30.8%, Croatian (official) 14.6%, other 1.6%, no answer 0.2% (2013 est.)
Languages - 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)
Age structure - 15-64 years
68.3% (male 1,305,271/female 1,290,920)
Age structure - 65 years and over
18.6% (2024 est.) (male 289,449/female 415,378)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
44.5 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
16.7 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
27.8 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
3.6 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
45.7 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
43.1 years
Median age - 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)
Urbanization - 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
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.07 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1.01 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.7 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 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.)
Infant mortality rate - male
5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
4.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
78.5 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
75.5 years
Life expectancy at birth - 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.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 97.3% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 2.7% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - 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.)
Sanitation facility access - 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.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
4.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
34% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
39.2% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
29% (2025 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.2% national budget (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
14 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
14 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
15 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
none
Country name - conventional short form
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Country name - local long form
none
Country name - local short form
Bosna i Hercegovina
Country name - former
People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Country name - abbreviation
BiH
Country name - 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
Capital - geographic coordinates
43 52 N, 18 25 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Capital - 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)
Constitution - 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
Constitution - note
note: each of the political entities has its own constitution
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes, provided there is a bilateral agreement with the other state
Citizenship - 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)
Executive branch - head of government
Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana KRISTO (since 25 January 2023)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairperson, approved by the state-level House of Representatives
Executive branch - 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
Executive branch - most recent election date
2 October 2022
Executive branch - 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
Executive branch - expected date of next election
October 2026
Executive branch - note
note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidiia BRADARA (since 28 February 2023)
Legislative branch - legislature name
Parliamentary Assembly (Skupstina)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
House of Representatives (Predstavnicki dom)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
42 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
4 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
2/16/2023
Legislative branch - lower chamber - 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)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
19%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
October 2026
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
House of Peoples (Dom Naroda)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
15 (all appointed)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
4 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
10/2/2022
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
6.7%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - 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)
Judicial branch - 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
Judicial branch - 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
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Sven ALKALAJ (since 30 June 2023)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 337-1500
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 337-1502
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Chicago
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires John GINKEL (since September 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000 Sarajevo
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
7130 Sarajevo Place, Washington DC 20521-7130
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[387] (33) 704-000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[387] (33) 659-722
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation from the US - 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)
International organization participation - note
note : Bosnia-Herzegovina is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership
Independence
1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia)
Independence - note
note: referendum for independence completed on 1 March 1992; independence declared on 3 March 1992
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
National holiday - note
note: there is no national-level holiday
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
Flag - note
note: one of four national flags that reflect the shape of the country in the flag design; the others are Brazil, Eritrea, and Vanuatu
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)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
none officially/Dusan SESTIC
National anthem(s) - 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)
National heritage - 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)
Economy
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) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$63.077 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$61.843 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.5% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$20,400 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$19,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$19,300 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$28.343 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.7% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
6.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
14% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
4.3% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
22% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
58% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
68.3% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
19.1% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
23.1% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
3.2% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
43.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-55.7% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
maize, milk, vegetables, potatoes, plums, wheat, apples, barley, chicken, tomatoes (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
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.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
1.356 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
10.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
10.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
12.7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
27.3% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
25.4% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
30.9% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
16.9% (2015 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Average household expenditures - on food
32.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
7.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2024
11% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
10.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
10.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$10.196 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$10.463 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2023
40.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
19.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$1.176 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$638.769 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$1.078 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$12.141 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$12.126 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$11.838 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Germany 15%, Croatia 14%, Serbia 12%, Austria 10%, Slovenia 9% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
footwear, electricity, garments, plastic products, insulated wire (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$16.202 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$15.37 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$15.166 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
Italy 13%, Germany 11%, Serbia 11%, China 9%, Croatia 8% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, garments, plastic products, packaged medicine (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$9.419 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$9.205 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$8.762 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$5.359 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
1.808 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
1.809 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
1.859 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
1.654 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
1.717 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
4.682 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
12.867 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
7.104 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
3.6 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
1.339 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
64% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
31.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - production
12.311 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
12.304 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
1.254 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
1.327 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - 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.)
Natural gas - 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.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
583,000 (2024 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
18 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
3.84 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 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.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
29 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T9
Airports
20 (2025)
Heliports
3 (2025)
Railways - total
965 km (2014)
Railways - standard gauge
965 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (565 km electrified)
Ports - total ports
1 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
0
Ports - small
1
Ports - very small
0
Ports - ports with oil terminals
0
Ports - key ports
Neum
Military and Security
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)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - 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 service age and obligation - note
note: as of 2024, women made up about 9% of the military's full-time personnel
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)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force
Terrorist group(s) - note
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
685 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - IDPs
94,796 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - stateless persons
23 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
air pollution; deforestation and illegal logging; inadequate wastewater treatment and flood management facilities; urban waste disposal; uncleared land mines from the 1990s
International environmental agreements - party to
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast
Land use - agricultural land
21.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.8% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
42.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
36.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
50.3% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
24.513 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
19.292 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
4.785 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
26.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
1.249 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
23.8% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
320 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
475 million cubic meters (2022)
Total renewable water resources
37.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)