2011 Edition

Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC) at its conference in Bonn in 1997 also gave the High Representative the authority to impose legislation and remove officials, the so-called "Bonn Powers." In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops. Troop strength at the end of 2010 stood at roughly 1,500. In January 2010, Bosnia and Herzegovina assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia

the Bosniak/Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC) at its conference in Bonn in 1997 also gave the High Representative the authority to impose legislation and remove officials, the so-called "Bonn Powers." In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops. Troop strength at the end of 2010 stood at roughly 1,500. In January 2010, Bosnia and Herzegovina assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.

Area

51,197 sq km 51,187 sq km 10 sq km

total

51,197 sq km

water

10 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate

hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast

Coastline

20 km

Elevation extremes

Adriatic Sea 0 m Maglic 2,386 m

highest point

Maglic 2,386 m

lowest point

Adriatic Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

44 00 N, 18 00 E

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, and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east

Irrigated land

30 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,538 km Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km

border countries

Croatia 932 km, Montenegro 249 km, Serbia 357 km

total

1,538 km

Land use

19.61% 1.89% 78.5% (2005)

arable land

19.61%

other

78.5% (2005)

permanent crops

1.89%

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

no data available

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, timber, hydropower

Terrain

mountains and valleys

Total renewable water resources

37.5 cu km (2003)

Age structure

14% (male 333,989/female 313,234) 71% (male 1,655,669/female 1,625,750) 15% (male 283,233/female 410,288) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

14% (male 333,989/female 313,234)

15-64 years

71% (male 1,655,669/female 1,625,750)

65 years and over

15% (male 283,233/female 410,288) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

8.89 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.6% (2006)

Death rate

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1% of population (2008)

rural

2% of population

total

1% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam

Health expenditures

10.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

900 (2007 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.04 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

8.67 deaths/1,000 live births 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

8.67 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bosnian (official), Croatian (official), Serbian

Life expectancy at birth

78.81 years 75.25 years 82.63 years (2011 est.)

female

82.63 years (2011 est.)

total population

78.81 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.7% 99% 94.4% (2000 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

94.4% (2000 est.)

male

99%

total population

96.7%

Major cities - population

SARAJEVO (capital) 392,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

40.7 years 39.6 years 41.9 years (2011 est.)

female

41.9 years (2011 est.)

male

39.6 years

total

40.7 years

Nationality

Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) Bosnian, Herzegovinian

adjective

Bosnian, Herzegovinian

noun

Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.7% (2002)

Physicians density

1.4179 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

4,622,163 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.008% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99% of population rural: 92% of population total: 95% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 8% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

rural

8% of population

total

5% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2009)

female

14 years (2009)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.074 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.074 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.27 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

47.3% 44.7% 51.9% (2008)

female

51.9% (2008)

total

47.3%

Urbanization

49% of total population (2010) 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

49% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is a self-governing administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina and formally held in condominium between the two entities; the District remains under international supervision

Capital

Sarajevo 43 52 N, 18 25 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

43 52 N, 18 25 E

name

Sarajevo

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

the Dayton Peace Accords, signed 14 December 1995 in Paris, included a constitution; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution

Country name

none Bosnia and Herzegovina none Bosna i Hercegovina People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Bosnia and Herzegovina

former

People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

local long form

none

local short form

Bosna i Hercegovina

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Patrick S. MOON 1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000 Sarajevo use embassy street address [387] (33) 704-000 [387] (33) 659-722 Banja Luka, Mostar

branch office(s)

Banja Luka, Mostar

chief of mission

Ambassador Patrick S. MOON

embassy

1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000 Sarajevo

FAX

[387] (33) 659-722

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[387] (33) 704-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mitar KUJUNDZIC 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 337-1500 [1] (202) 337-1502 Chicago, New York

chancery

2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Mitar KUJUNDZIC

consulate(s) general

Chicago, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 337-1502

telephone

[1] (202) 337-1500

Executive branch

Chairman of the Presidency Zelko KOMSIC (chairman of the presidency since 10 July 2011; presidency member since 6 November 2006 - Croat); other members of the three-member presidency rotate every eight months: Bakir IZETBEGOVIC (presidency member since 10 November 2010 - Bosniak); Nebojsa RADMANOVIC (presidency member since 6 November 2006 - Serb) Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola SPIRIC (since 11 January 2007) Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the state-level House of Representatives the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years) by constituencies referring to the three ethnic groups; the candidate with the most votes in a constituency is elected; the chairmanship rotates every eight months and resumes where it left off following each general election; election last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014); the chairman of the Council of Ministers appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the state-level House of Representatives percent of vote - Nebojsa RADMANOVIC with 48.9% of the votes for the Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC with 60.6% of the votes for the Croat seat; Bakir IZETBEGOVIC with 34.9% of the votes for the Bosniak seat President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Zivko BUDIMIR (since 17 March 2011); Vice Presidents Spomenka MICIC (since 21 February 2007) and Mirsad KEBO (since 21 February 2007); President of the Republika Srpska: Milorad DODIK (since 15 November 2010)

cabinet

Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the state-level House of Representatives

chief of state

Chairman of the Presidency Zelko KOMSIC (chairman of the presidency since 10 July 2011; presidency member since 6 November 2006 - Croat); other members of the three-member presidency rotate every eight months: Bakir IZETBEGOVIC (presidency member since 10 November 2010 - Bosniak); Nebojsa RADMANOVIC (presidency member since 6 November 2006 - Serb)

election results

percent of vote - Nebojsa RADMANOVIC with 48.9% of the votes for the Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC with 60.6% of the votes for the Croat seat; Bakir IZETBEGOVIC with 34.9% of the votes for the Bosniak seat

elections

the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term, but then ineligible for four years) by constituencies referring to the three ethnic groups; the candidate with the most votes in a constituency is elected; the chairmanship rotates every eight months and resumes where it left off following each general election; election last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014); the chairman of the Council of Ministers appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the state-level House of Representatives

head of government

Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola SPIRIC (since 11 January 2007)

President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Zivko BUDIMIR (since 17 March 2011); Vice Presidents Spomenka MICIC (since 21 February 2007) and Mirsad KEBO (since 21 February 2007); President of the Republika Srpska: Milorad DODIK (since 15 November 2010)

Flag description

a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle; the triangle approximates the shape of the country and its three points stand for the constituent peoples - Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs; the stars represent Europe and are meant to be continuous (thus the half stars at top and bottom); the colors (white, blue, and yellow) are often associated with neutrality and peace, and traditionally are linked with Bosnia

Government type

emerging federal democratic republic

Independence

1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed on 1 March 1992; independence declared on 3 March 1992)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

BiH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BiH State Court (consists of 44 national judges and seven international judges and has three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and cases initiated in the entities that question BiH's sovereignty, political independence, or national security or with economic crimes that have serious repercussions to BiH's economy, beyond that of an entity or Brcko District); a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005 the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five district courts and a number of municipal courts

BiH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members

four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the European Court of Human Rights); BiH State Court (consists of 44 national judges and seven international judges and has three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and cases initiated in the entities that question BiH's sovereignty, political independence, or national security or with economic crimes that have serious repercussions to BiH's economy, beyond that of an entity or Brcko District); a War Crimes Chamber opened in March 2005

Legal system

civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members designated by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of Peoples and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve four-year terms); and the state-level House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures House of Peoples - last constituted in 9 June 2011 (next to be constituted in 2015); state-level House of Representatives - elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014) House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA; state-level House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDP BiH 8, SNSD 8, SDA 7, SDS 4, SBBBiH 4, HDZ-BiH 3, SBiH 2, HDZ-1990/HSP 2, other 4 the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other); last constituted February 2007; and a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDP 28, SDA 23, SBBBiH 13, HDZ-BiH 12, SBiH 9, HDZ-1990/HSP 5, NSRzB 5, other 3; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 37, SDS 18, PDP 7, DNS 6, SP 4, DP 3, SDP 3, SDA 2, NDS 2 SRS-RS 1; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including 8 Croats, 8 Bosniaks, 8 Serbs, and 4 members of the smaller communities

election results

House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA; state-level House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDP BiH 8, SNSD 8, SDA 7, SDS 4, SBBBiH 4, HDZ-BiH 3, SBiH 2, HDZ-1990/HSP 2, other 4

elections

House of Peoples - last constituted in 9 June 2011 (next to be constituted in 2015); state-level House of Representatives - elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014)

National anthem

"Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina) Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC music adopted 1999; lyrics adopted 2009

lyrics/music

Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC

name

"Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)

National holiday

National Day, 25 November (1943)

National symbol(s)

golden lily

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for a Better Future of BiH or SBB-BiH [Fahrudin RADONCIC]; Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Bosnian Patriotic Party or BPS [Sefer HALILOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zvonko JURISIC]; Croat Peasants' Party-New Croat Initiative or HSS-NHI [Ante COLAK]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Ivan MUSA]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BiH [Dragan COVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union 1990 or HDZ-1990 [Bozo LJUBIC]; Croatian Peoples Union [Milenko BRKIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Rifat DOLIC]; Democratic Party or DP [Dragan CAVIC]; Democratic Peoples' Alliance or DNS [Marko PAVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; Nasa Stranka or NS [NA; leadership elections late 2010/early 2011]; New Socialist Party or NSP [Zdravko KRSMANOVIC]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Peoples' Party of Work for Progress or NSRzB [Mladen IVANKOVIC-LIJANOVIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mladen BOSIC]; Serb Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Mirko BLAGOJEVIC]; Social Democratic Party of BiH or SDP BiH [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Nermin PECANAC]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC]

Political pressure groups and leaders

war veterans; displaced persons associations; family associations of missing persons; private media

other

war veterans; displaced persons associations; family associations of missing persons; private media

Suffrage

18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Budget

$7.625 billion $8.372 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$8.372 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$7.625 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.89% (31 December 2010 est.) 7.93% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.175 billion (2010 est.) -$1.066 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$9.692 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $9.583 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.2 (2007)

Economy - overview

The interethnic warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made up during 2003-08, when GDP growth exceeded 5% per year. However, the country experienced a decline in GDP of more than 3% in 2009 reflecting local effects of the global economic crisis. One of Bosnia's main economic challenges in 2010 has been to reduce spending on public sector wages and social benefits to meet the IMF's criteria for obtaining funding for budget shortfalls. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down; foreign banks, primarily from Austria and Italy, now control most of the banking sector. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM) - the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro, and confidence in the currency and the banking sector has increased. Bosnia's private sector is growing, but foreign investment has dropped off sharply since 2007. Government spending, at roughly 50% of GDP, remains high because of redundant government offices at the state, entity and municipal level. Privatization of state enterprises has been slow, particularly in the Federation where political division between ethnically-based political parties makes agreement on economic policy more difficult. A sizeable current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two most serious macroeconomic problems. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006 provided a predictable source of revenue for the government and helped rein in gray-market activity. National-level statistics have also improved over time but a large share of economic activity remains unofficial and unrecorded. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. Bosnia and Herzegovina's top economic priorities are: acceleration of integration into the EU; strengthening the fiscal system; public administration reform; World Trade Organization (WTO) membership; and securing economic growth by fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector. The country has received a substantial amount of foreign assistance and will need to demonstrate its ability to implement its economic reform agenda in order to advance its stated goal of EU accession. In 2009, Bosnia and Herzegovina undertook an International Monetary Fund (IMF) standby arrangement, necessitated by sharply increased social spending and a fiscal crisis exacerbated by the global economic downturn. The program aims to reduce recurrent government spending and to strengthen revenue collection.

The interethnic warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed

acceleration of integration into the EU; strengthening the fiscal system; public administration reform; World Trade Organization (WTO) membership; and securing economic growth by fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector. The country has received a substantial amount of foreign assistance and will need to demonstrate its ability to implement its economic reform agenda in order to advance its stated goal of EU accession. In 2009, Bosnia and Herzegovina undertook an International Monetary Fund (IMF) standby arrangement, necessitated by sharply increased social spending and a fiscal crisis exacerbated by the global economic downturn. The program aims to reduce recurrent government spending and to strengthen revenue collection.

Electricity - consumption

10.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

3.9 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.2 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

14.58 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.5088 (2010) 1.4079 (2009) 1.3083 (2008) 1.4419 (2007) 1.5576 (2006)

Exports

$4.937 billion (2010 est.) $4.08 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

metals, clothing, wood products

Exports - partners

Slovenia 20.4%, Croatia 16.6%, Italy 16.5%, Germany 13.5%, Austria 11% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

9.8% 25.9% 64.3% (2010 est.)

agriculture

9.8%

industry

25.9%

services

64.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,600 (2010 est.) $6,500 (2009 est.) $6,800 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.8% (2010 est.) -3.1% (2009 est.) 5.7% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.83 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$30.33 billion (2010 est.) $30.09 billion (2009 est.) $31.04 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 27.3% (2007)

highest 10%

27.3% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$9.23 billion (2010 est.) $8.834 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Croatia 22.2%, Slovenia 13.5%, Germany 13.3%, Italy 11.4%, Austria 6.4%, Hungary 5.8% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

4.2% (2010 est.)

Industries

steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, aluminum, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, ammunition, domestic appliances, oil refining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2010 est.) -0.4% (2009 est.)

Labor force

2.6 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

20.5% 32.6% 47% (2008)

agriculture

20.5%

industry

32.6%

services

47% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

390 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

390 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

28,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

96 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

38,890 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

59 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

18.6% (2007 est.)

Public debt

39.1% of GDP (2010 est.) 35.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.383 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.548 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$9.442 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $9.509 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.961 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.39 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.305 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.337 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

45.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

43.1% (2010 est.) 44.2% (2009 est.) official rate

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 broadcasting; 3 large public radio broadcasters and a large number of private radio stations (2010)

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 broadcasting; 3 large public radio broadcasters and a large number of private radio stations (2010)

Internet country code

.ba

Internet hosts

95,234 (2010)

Internet users

1.422 million (2009)

Telephone system

post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by a internationally sponsored program, resulting in sharp increases in the number of fixed telephone lines available fixed-line teledensity roughly 22 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly and, stands at roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2009)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity roughly 22 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly and, stands at roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by a internationally sponsored program, resulting in sharp increases in the number of fixed telephone lines available

international

country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

998,600 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.014 million (2010)

Airports

25 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

total

7

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

11 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

18

under 914 m

11 (2010)

Heliports

5 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 147 km; oil 9 km

Ports and terminals

Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava River), Orasje

Railways

601 km 601 km 1.435-m gauge (392 km electrified) (2009)

total

601 km

Roadways

22,926 km 19,426 km (4,652 km of interurban roads) 3,500 km (2010)

total

22,926 km

unpaved

3,500 km (2010)

Waterways

(Sava River on northern border; open to shipping but use limited) (2009)

Manpower available for military service

1,180,829 1,143,919 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,143,919 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,180,829

Manpower fit for military service

968,242 937,327 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

937,327 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

968,242

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

26,601 24,879 (2010 est.)

female

24,879 (2010 est.)

male

26,601

Military branches

Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH): Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air and Air Defense Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana, ZPO) (2010)

Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH)

Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air and Air Defense Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana, ZPO) (2010)

Military expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in January 2006; 4-month service obligation; mandatory retirement at age 35 or after 15 years of service (2010)

Disputes - international

Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute

Illicit drugs

increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for marijuana; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption

Refugees and internally displaced persons

7,269 (Croatia) 131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007)

IDPs

131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

7,269 (Croatia)