Bosnia and Herzegovina: environment

Where does Bosnia and Herzegovina get its electricity?

Coal produced 61.0% of electricity in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data. Renewable sources produced 39.3% of electricity in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank renewable electricity series.

Both shares are of total electricity generation. The two series cover different years, so they should not be added together. Monthly energy statistics are published by BHAS.

Official sources: World Bank: Electricity production from coal sources, Bosnia and Herzegovina · World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Bosnia and Herzegovina

How bad is air pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

People in Bosnia and Herzegovina were exposed to an average PM2.5 concentration of 26.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data. Total greenhouse gas emissions were 27.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank emissions series.

Mean annual exposure is the population-weighted average concentration of fine particles. PM2.5 refers to particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. The emissions total covers the six Kyoto Protocol gases.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure, Bosnia and Herzegovina · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Where does Bosnia and Herzegovina's electricity come from?

Bosnia and Herzegovina produced 1,118 GWh of electricity in July 2026, according to the BHAS short-term energy statistics release. Thermal (mainly coal) power plants produced 60.7%, hydropower 28% and solar and wind plants 11.3%.

The country exported 654 GWh and imported 419 GWh in the month, so it was a net exporter. Solar and wind output was 126 GWh, up from 119 GWh in July 2025.

Official sources: short-term energy statistics release

How much of Bosnia and Herzegovina is forest?

Forest covered 42.21% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's land area in 2024, according to FAO estimates on World Bank Open Data, a share that has changed little in recent years. The figure was 42.17% in 2022.

BHAS publishes forestry statistics on timber production and sales. The FAO counts land with trees over 5 metres tall and canopy cover above 10%.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

How many people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have safe drinking water?

86.4% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's population used safely managed drinking water in 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF estimates on World Bank Open Data. The share was 86.98% in 2022.

"Safely managed" means water from an improved source on the premises, available when needed and free from contamination. Water stress is low, at 2.07% of renewable freshwater withdrawn in 2022, the same site shows.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API) · the same site shows (API)

What are Bosnia and Herzegovina's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Bosnia and Herzegovina at 6.4 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 7.1 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 4.1 tonnes. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.1 tonnes; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 13th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 35th of 186.

What are Bosnia and Herzegovina's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 27.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The peak was 32.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2018 and the low 23.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. It is 31st highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 110th highest.

What share of Bosnia and Herzegovina's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 36.6%. The peak was 37.7% in 2020 and the low 14.2% in 2011. It is 11th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.4%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 65th highest.

How much of Bosnia and Herzegovina is forest?

42.2%: that is forest area as a share of land in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2024, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 33.2%; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 11th highest of 51. Worldwide: 63rd of 190.

How polluted is the air in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

26.1 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 38.4 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2021, at 25.6 micrograms per cubic metre. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 6th highest of 51. Worldwide: 60th of 192.

What share of Bosnia and Herzegovina is protected land?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 9.5%. No year since 2013 has been higher. It is 47th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. World rank, highest first: 145th of 192.

What is water stress in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

According to the FAO, water stress in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 2.1% in 2022. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.0% (2020) to 2.9% (2012). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 12.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 43rd highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 146th highest.