2016 Edition

Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and 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 ended 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 multiethnic 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 predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments are responsible for overseeing most government functions. Additionally, the Dayton Accords established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council 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." An original NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops assembled in 1995 was succeeded over time by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. Currently, EUFOR deploys around 600 troops in theater in a security assistance and training capacity.

The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government compose

the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments are responsible for overseeing most government functions. Additionally, the Dayton Accords established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council 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." An original NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops assembled in 1995 was succeeded over time by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. Currently, EUFOR deploys around 600 troops in theater in a security assistance and training capacity.

Area

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

land

51,187 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

500 m lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point

Maglic 2,386 m

mean elevation

500 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 (2012)

Land boundaries

1,543 km Croatia 956 km, Montenegro 242 km, Serbia 345 km

border countries (3)

Croatia 956 km, Montenegro 242 km, Serbia 345 km

total

1,543 km

Land use

42.2% arable land 19.7%; permanent crops 2%; permanent pasture 20.5% 42.8% 15% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

42.2%

forest

42.8%

other

15% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

NA

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

the northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated

Terrain

mountains and valleys

Age structure

13.36% (male 266,389/female 249,425) 11.97% (male 238,682/female 223,599) 46.2% (male 896,760/female 887,407) 14.43% (male 267,628/female 289,464) 14.05% (male 212,574/female 329,984) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

13.36% (male 266,389/female 249,425)

15-24 years

11.97% (male 238,682/female 223,599)

25-54 years

46.2% (male 896,760/female 887,407)

55-64 years

14.43% (male 267,628/female 289,464)

65 years and over

14.05% (male 212,574/female 329,984) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

8.8 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

24,722 5% (2006 est.)

percentage

5% (2006 est.)

total number

24,722

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.5% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

45.8% (2011/12)

Death rate

9.9 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

40.7% 19% 21.7% 4.6% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

21.7%

potential support ratio

4.6% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

40.7%

youth dependency ratio

19%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.7% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.3% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Bosniak 50.1%, Serb 30.8%, Croat 15.4%, other 2.7%, not declared/no answer 1% the methodology remains disputed and Republika Srspka authorities 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 (2013 est.)

note

the methodology remains disputed and Republika Srspka authorities 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 (2013 est.)

Health expenditures

9.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

5.6 deaths/1,000 live births 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bosnian (official) 52.9%, Serbian (official) 30.8%, Croatian (official) 14.6%, other 1.6%, no answer 0.2% (2013 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

76.7 years 73.7 years 80 years (2016 est.)

female

80 years (2016 est.)

male

73.7 years

total population

76.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.5% 99.5% 97.5% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.5% (2015 est.)

male

99.5%

total population

98.5%

Major urban areas - population

SARAJEVO (capital) 318,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

11 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

41.7 years 40.2 years 43.1 years (2016 est.)

female

43.1 years (2016 est.)

male

40.2 years

total

41.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.7 (2013 est.)

Nationality

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

adjective

Bosnian, Herzegovinian

noun

Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.2% (2014)

Physicians density

1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

3,861,912 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

the northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated

Population growth rate

-0.14% (2016 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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98.9% of population rural: 92% of population total: 94.8% of population urban: 1.1% of population rural: 8% of population total: 5.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

8% of population

total

5.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 15 years (2014)

female

15 years (2014)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.64 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.28 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

62.8% 62.8% 62.8% (2012 est.)

female

62.8% (2012 est.)

male

62.8%

total

62.8%

Urbanization

39.8% of total population (2015) 0.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39.8% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine) (predominantly Bosniak-Croat), the Republika Srpska (predominately Serb), Brcko District (Brcko Distrikt)*; 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

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina yes, provided there is a bilateral agreement with the other state 8 years

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

Constitution

14 December 1995 (constitution included as part of the Dayton Peace Accords); amended several times, last in 2009; note - each of the entities has its own constitution (2016)

Country name

none Bosnia and Herzegovina none Bosna i Hercegovina People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina BiH the larger northern territory is named for the Bosna River; the smaller southern section takes its name from the German word "herzog," meaning "duke," and the ending "-ovina," meaning "land," forming the combination denoting "dukedom"

abbreviation

BiH

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Bosnia and Herzegovina

etymology

the larger northern territory is named for the Bosna River; the smaller southern section takes its name from the German word "herzog," meaning "duke," and the ending "-ovina," meaning "land," forming the combination denoting "dukedom"

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 Maureen CORMACK (since 16 January 2015) 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 Maureen CORMACK (since 16 January 2015)

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 Haris HRLE (since 23 October 2015) 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 Haris HRLE (since 23 October 2015)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 337-1502

telephone

[1] (202) 337-1500

Executive branch

Chairman of the Presidency Mladen IVANIC (chairman since 17 November 2016, presidency member since 17 November 2014 - Serb); Dragan COVIC (presidency member since 17 November 2014 - Croat); Bakir IZETBEGOVIC (presidency member since 10 November 2010 - Bosniak) Chairman of the Council of Ministers Denis ZVIZDIC (since 11 February 2015) Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman, approved by the state-level House of Representatives 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 and resumes where it left off following each general election; election last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018); the chairman of the Council of Ministers appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the state-level House of Representatives percent of vote - Mladen IVANIC 48.7% - Serb seat; Dragan COVIC 52.2% - Croat seat; Bakir IZETBEGOVIC 32.9% - Bosniak seat President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marinko CAVARA (since 11 February 2015); Vice Presidents Melika MAHMUTBEGOVIC (since 11 February 2015), Milan DUNOVIC (since 11 February 2015); President of the Republika Srpska Milorad DODIK (since 15 November 2010); Vice Presidents Ramiz SALKIC (since 24 November 2014), Josip JERKOVIC (since 24 November 2014)

cabinet

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

chief of state

Chairman of the Presidency Mladen IVANIC (chairman since 17 November 2016, presidency member since 17 November 2014 - Serb); Dragan COVIC (presidency member since 17 November 2014 - Croat); Bakir IZETBEGOVIC (presidency member since 10 November 2010 - Bosniak)

election results

percent of vote - Mladen IVANIC 48.7% - Serb seat; Dragan COVIC 52.2% - Croat seat; Bakir IZETBEGOVIC 32.9% - Bosniak seat

elections/appointments

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 and resumes where it left off following each general election; election last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018); 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 Denis ZVIZDIC (since 11 February 2015)

note

President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marinko CAVARA (since 11 February 2015); Vice Presidents Melika MAHMUTBEGOVIC (since 11 February 2015), Milan DUNOVIC (since 11 February 2015); President of the Republika Srpska Milorad DODIK (since 15 November 2010); Vice Presidents Ramiz SALKIC (since 24 November 2014), Josip JERKOVIC (since 24 November 2014)

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 one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Brazil, Eritrea, and Vanuatu

note

one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Brazil, Eritrea, and Vanuatu

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia); note - 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, 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, MINUSMA, 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)

Judicial branch

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) BiH Constitutional Court judges - 4 selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's 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 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

highest court(s)

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 Bosniak/Croat Federation's 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

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 Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's House of Peoples and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve 4-year terms) and the state-level House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats to include 28 seats allocated to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 to the Republika Srpska; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a bicameral legislature that consists of the House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other) and the House of Representatives (98 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); Republika Srpska's unicameral legislature is the National Assembly (83 directly elected delegates serve 4-year terms) House of Peoples - last constituted in 11 February 2015 (next likely to be constituted in 2019); state-level House of Representatives - election last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018) 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 - Federation votes: SDA 27.9%, DF 15.3%, SBB BiH 14.4%, Croat People's Assembly coalition or HNS (HDZ BiH-HSS-NHI-HKDU-HSP BiH-HSP HB) 12.2%, SDP 9.5%, HDZ-1990 4.1%, BPS-Sefer Halilovic 3.7%, A-SDA 2.3%, other 10.6%; Republika Srpska votes: SNSD 38.5%, SDS 32.6%, PDP-NDP 7.8%, DNS 5.7%, SDA 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 10, SNSD 6, SDS 5, DF 5, SBB BiH 4, Croat People's Assembly coalition or HNS (HDZ BiH-HSS-NHI-HKDU-HSP BiH-HSP HB) 4, SDP 3, PDP-NDP 1, HDZ-1990 1, BPS-Sefer Halilovic 1, DNS 1, A-SDA 1

description

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 Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's House of Peoples and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve 4-year terms) and the state-level House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats to include 28 seats allocated to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 to the Republika Srpska; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a bicameral legislature that consists of the House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other) and the House of Representatives (98 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); Republika Srpska's unicameral legislature is the National Assembly (83 directly elected delegates serve 4-year terms)

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 - Federation votes: SDA 27.9%, DF 15.3%, SBB BiH 14.4%, Croat People's Assembly coalition or HNS (HDZ BiH-HSS-NHI-HKDU-HSP BiH-HSP HB) 12.2%, SDP 9.5%, HDZ-1990 4.1%, BPS-Sefer Halilovic 3.7%, A-SDA 2.3%, other 10.6%; Republika Srpska votes: SNSD 38.5%, SDS 32.6%, PDP-NDP 7.8%, DNS 5.7%, SDA 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 10, SNSD 6, SDS 5, DF 5, SBB BiH 4, Croat People's Assembly coalition or HNS (HDZ BiH-HSS-NHI-HKDU-HSP BiH-HSP HB) 4, SDP 3, PDP-NDP 1, HDZ-1990 1, BPS-Sefer Halilovic 1, DNS 1, A-SDA 1

elections

House of Peoples - last constituted in 11 February 2015 (next likely to be constituted in 2019); state-level House of Representatives - election last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018)

National anthem

"Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina) none officially; Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC music adopted 1999; lyrics accepted 2009 but not yet approved

lyrics/music

none officially; Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC

name

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

note

music adopted 1999; lyrics accepted 2009 but not yet approved

National holiday

National Day (Statehood Day), 25 November (1943); Independence Day, 1 March (1992); note - observed only in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dayton Agreement Day, 21 November (2007); note - observed only in the Republika Srpska there is no national-level holiday

note

there is no national-level holiday

National symbol(s)

golden lily; national colors: blue, yellow, white

golden lily; national colors

blue, yellow, white

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] Alternative Party for Democratic Activity or A-SDA [Nermin OGRESEVIC] Bosnian-Herzegovinian Patriotic Party-Sefer Halilovic or BPS-Sefer Halilovic [Sefer HALILOVIC] Croat Peasants' Party or HSS [Mario KARAMATIC] 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 [acting president Ilija CVITANOVIC] Croatian Party of Rights or HSP BiH [Stanko PRIMORAC] Croatian Party of Rights of Herceg-Bosne or HSP HB [Vesna PINJUH] Croatian People's Party-Liberal Democrats or HNS [Ivan VRDOLJAK] Democratic Front of DF [Zeljko KOMSIC] Democratic Peoples' Alliance or DNS [Marko PAVIC] Party for Democratic Action or SDA [Bakir IZETBEGOVIC] Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Branislav BORENOVIC] People's Democratic Movement or NDP [Dragan CAVIC] Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mladen BOSIC] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Nermin NIKSIC]

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

$7.606 billion $7.933 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$7.933 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$7.606 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.79% (31 December 2015 est.) 6.64% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.078 billion (2015 est.) -$1.45 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$9.597 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.59 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.2 (2007)

Economy - overview

Bosnia has a transitional economy with limited market reforms. The economy relies heavily on the export of metals, energy, textiles, and furniture as well as on remittances and foreign aid. A highly decentralized government hampers economic policy coordination and reform, while excessive bureaucracy and a segmented market discourage foreign investment. 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 remained stable. Interethnic warfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar, but the economy made progress until 2008, when the global economic crisis caused a downturn. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. Bosnia's private sector is growing slowly, but foreign investment has dropped sharply since 2007. Government spending - including transfer payments - remains high, at roughly 40% of GDP, because of redundant government offices at the national, sub-national, and municipal level. High unemployment remains the most serious macroeconomic problem. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006 provided a steady 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's top economic priorities are: acceleration of integration into the EU; strengthening the fiscal system; public administration reform; World Trade Organization membership; and securing economic growth by fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's top economic priorities are

acceleration of integration into the EU; strengthening the fiscal system; public administration reform; World Trade Organization membership; and securing economic growth by fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector.

Exchange rates

konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.7626 (2015 est.) 1.4742 (2014 est.) 1.4718 (2013 est.) 1.52 (2012 est.) 1.407 (2011 est.)

Exports

$3.95 billion (2015 est.) $4.489 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

metals, clothing, wood products

Exports - partners

Slovenia 16.5%, Italy 15.9%, Germany 12.1%, Croatia 11.5%, Austria 11.1%, Turkey 5.2% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

80.9% 21.5% 18.6% 1.3% 32.8% -55.1% (2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

32.8%

government consumption

21.5%

household consumption

80.9%

imports of goods and services

-55.1% (2014 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.6%

investment in inventories

1.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.9% 26.5% 65.6% (2015 est.)

agriculture

7.9%

industry

26.5%

services

65.6% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,500 (2015 est.) $10,200 (2014 est.) $10,100 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.8% (2015 est.) 1.1% (2014 est.) 2.4% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.79 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$40.53 billion (2015 est.) $39.43 billion (2014 est.) $39.01 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

10.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 10.8% of GDP (2014 est.) 11.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 27.3% (2007)

highest 10%

27.3% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$8.173 billion (2015 est.) $9.982 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Croatia 19.3%, Germany 13.9%, Slovenia 13.8%, Italy 10.9%, Austria 5.7%, Hungary 5.2%, Turkey 4.5% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1% (2015 est.) -0.9% (2014 est.)

Labor force

1.47 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

19% 30% 51% (2013)

agriculture

19%

industry

30%

services

51% (2013)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

17.2% (2011 est.)

Public debt

46.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 44.8% of GDP (2014 est.) data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

note

data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.791 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.858 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$9.223 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.72 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$0 (2014)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$7.92 billion (2014 est.) $7.721 billion (2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.389 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.23 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.554 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.538 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

48.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

43.2% (2015 est.) 43.9% (2014 est.) official rate; actual rate is lower as many technically unemployed persons work in the gray economy

note

official rate; actual rate is lower as many technically unemployed persons work in the gray economy

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

17 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

20,690 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

11 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

6 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

54.8% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

43.6% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.3 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

15 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

169 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

169 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

30,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

5,342 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

15,230 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

20,280 bbl/day (2013 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 broadcasting stations; 3 large public radio broadcasters and many 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 broadcasting stations; 3 large public radio broadcasters and many private radio stations (2010)

Internet country code

.ba

Internet users

2.516 million 65.1% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

65.1% (July 2015 est.)

total

2.516 million

Telephone system

post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by an internationally sponsored program, resulted in sharp increases in fixed-line telephone availability fixed-line teledensity roughly 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly and stands at roughly 90 telephones per 100 persons country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2015)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity roughly 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly and stands at roughly 90 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

post-war reconstruction of the telecommunications network, aided by an internationally sponsored program, resulted in sharp increases in fixed-line telephone availability

international

country code - 387; no satellite earth stations (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

771,684 20 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

20 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

771,684

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.444 million 89 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

89 (July 2015 est.)

total

3.444 million

Airports

24 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

total

7

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

11 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

17

under 914 m

11 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

T9 (2016)

Heliports

6 (2013)

National air transport system

7,070 87 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

87 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

7,070

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

1

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

gas 147 km; oil 9 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, Brcko, Orasje (Sava River)

river port(s)

Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, Brcko, Orasje (Sava River)

Railways

965 km 965 km 1.435-m gauge (565 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

965 km 1.435-m gauge (565 km electrified) (2014)

total

965 km

Roadways

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

paved

19,426 km (4,652 km of interurban roads)

total

22,926 km

unpaved

3,500 km (2010)

Waterways

(Sava River on northern border; open to shipping but use limited) (2011)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Oruzanih Snaga Bosne i Hercegovine, OSBiH): Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air Force and Air Defense (Brigada Zracnih Snaga i Protuzracne Odbrane, br ZSiPZO), Tactical Support Brigade (Brigada Takticke Podrske, br TP) (2015)

Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Oruzanih Snaga Bosne i Hercegovine, OSBiH)

Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Air Force and Air Defense (Brigada Zracnih Snaga i Protuzracne Odbrane, br ZSiPZO), Tactical Support Brigade (Brigada Takticke Podrske, br TP) (2015)

Military expenditures

0.98% of GDP (2014) 1.04% of GDP (2013) 1.35% of GDP (2012) 1.15% of GDP (2011) 1.35% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory retirement at age 35 or after 15 years of service for E-1 through E-4, mandatory retirement at age 50 and 30 years of service for E-5 through E-9, mandatory retirement at age 55 and 30 years of service for all officers (2014)

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

6,679 (Croatia) (2015) 98,324 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced by inter-ethnic violence, human rights violations, and armed conflict during the 1992-1995 war) (2015) 58 (2015)

IDPs

98,324 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced by inter-ethnic violence, human rights violations, and armed conflict during the 1992-1995 war) (2015)

refugees (country of origin)

6,679 (Croatia) (2015)

stateless persons

58 (2015)