Bosnia and Herzegovina: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 12.2% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the BHAS Labour Force Survey release. Of a labour force of 1.392 million, 1.223 million were employed and 169,000 unemployed. The activity rate was 48.5% and the employment rate 42.6%.

The survey uses the ILO definition and a redesigned method in line with the EU regulation in force since January 2021; the second-quarter sample was 10,729 households. Compared with the first quarter, the number unemployed rose 6.7% and the number employed fell 1.0%.

Official sources: BHAS: Labour Force Survey, II quarter 2026 (PDF)

What is the average salary in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The average monthly net wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 1,732 KM in July 2026, according to the BHAS average net wages release. That was 8.1% higher in nominal terms and 4.4% higher in real terms than in July 2025, when it was 1,601 KM. The average for 2025 as a whole was 1,570 KM.

The figures cover employees in legal entities and are net of tax and contributions. Wages vary by sector: in July 2026 the average was 1,414 KM in manufacturing and 2,111 KM in electricity, gas and steam supply.

Official sources: BHAS: Average monthly paid net wages, July 2026 (PDF)

How many people work in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

852,603 people were in paid employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2026, according to the BHAS persons in paid employment release.

This monthly count covers persons in paid employment, broken down by activity. It is lower than the 1.223 million employed estimated by the Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2026. The two sources measure employment in different ways and are not directly comparable; the survey follows the ILO definition.

Official sources: BHAS: Persons in paid employment by activity, July 2026 (PDF) · BHAS: Labour Force Survey, II quarter 2026 (PDF)

How many people are registered as unemployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

309,531 people were registered as unemployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2026, 185,296 of them women, according to the BHAS registered unemployment release. The number was 1.3% higher than in June but 3.6% lower than in July 2025.

The largest group was aged 50 to 59 (81,172 people). Registered unemployment counts people on employment service lists, and many of them are not actively looking for work or work informally, so it is much higher than the 169,000 unemployed found by the Labour Force Survey in the second quarter of 2026. BHAS warns that the two measures cannot be compared directly.

Official sources: registered unemployment release

How high is youth unemployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 28.2% in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data. It was 27.33% in 2024. The overall rate in the same series was 11.04%.

The BHAS Labour Force Survey release for the second quarter of 2026 counts 89,000 young people aged 15 to 24 in the labour force, of whom about 29,000 were unemployed; BHAS marks the youth unemployment figure as less reliable because of the small sample. Most people of this age are in education: 265,000 of 353,000 were outside the labour force.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API) · Labour Force Survey release for the second quarter of 2026

What is the average gross wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The average gross monthly wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 2,694 KM in July 2026, 8.4% higher than a year earlier in nominal terms and 4.6% higher in real terms, according to the BHAS average gross wages release. The average for 2025 was 2,436 KM.

The gross wage includes income tax and social contributions paid by employees, which the net wage excludes. Pay varies by sector: in July 2026 it was 3,327 KM in electricity supply and 2,134 KM in manufacturing. The figures cover people employed by legal entities and are averages, so they are pulled up by high earners.

Official sources: average gross wages release

What is Bosnia and Herzegovina's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 626 BAM a month (about $346) in 2024. No year since 2016 has been higher.

What is the average wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is $999 a month. No year since 2012 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 31st highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 34th of 57.

What is Bosnia and Herzegovina's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 11.0%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 31.1%; its low point was 2023, at 10.7%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.5%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 5th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 28th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 28.2%. The peak was 65.2% in 2015 and the low 27.3% in 2023. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 3rd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 21st highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 49.0%. The peak was 51.7% in 2005 and the low 47.5% in 2020. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 45th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

What share of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the labour force?

39.2%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 37.1% (2020) to 40.6% (2005). It is 44th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 54.6%. Worldwide: 144th of 174.

What share of adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina have a job?

43.6%: that is the employment to population ratio in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 35.5% (2006) to 44.2% (2023). Europe & Central Asia median: 56.6%; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 45th highest of 47. Worldwide: 152nd of 174.

How common is self-employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

18.1%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 24.0%; its low point was 2018, at 17.5%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.0%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 14th highest of 47. Worldwide: 119th of 174.

What share of jobs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are salaried?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina at 77.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 73.0% (2005) to 79.5% (2018). Europe & Central Asia median: 85.5%; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 34th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 55th of 174.