Bosnia and Herzegovina: public finances

How much does Bosnia and Herzegovina's government borrow?

Bosnia and Herzegovina's general government spent 1,254.8 million KM more than it received in 2025, up from 982.1 million KM in 2024, according to the government finance statistics in the BHAS yearbook Bosnia and Herzegovina in Figures 2025. Its net incurrence of liabilities, the new borrowing in the year, was 1,578.9 million KM.

General government covers the state, the two entities, Brčko District, cantons, municipalities and social security funds. The yearbook charts general government debt but does not print the figures. The Ministry of Finance and Treasury's site (mft.gov.ba) loads its content by script, so its debt reports could not be read on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Bosnia and Herzegovina in Figures 2025 · Ministry of Finance and Treasury

How much tax does Bosnia and Herzegovina collect?

Bosnia and Herzegovina's general government revenue was 24,762.3 million KM in 2025, according to the BHAS yearbook Bosnia and Herzegovina in Figures 2025. Taxes brought in 13,141.5 million KM and social contributions 9,076.2 million KM. Revenue was 22,432.5 million KM in 2024.

Spending on expenses was 23,855.9 million KM, including 9,578.6 million KM of social benefits and 6,242.4 million KM of public employees' pay. Indirect taxes such as VAT are collected by the state-level Indirect Taxation Authority and shared between the entities and Brčko District. Tax revenue was 20.22% of GDP in 2024, World Bank data shows.

Official sources: Bosnia and Herzegovina in Figures 2025 · World Bank data (API)

How much does Bosnia and Herzegovina spend on social protection?

Social protection spending in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 11,207 million KM in 2024, about 20% of GDP, according to the BHAS ESSPROS social protection release. Pensions took 49.0% of benefit spending, health insurance 29.3%, social and child welfare 10.5% and war veterans' protection 7.2%.

Almost three-quarters of the money comes from compulsory contributions, mostly paid by employees, and the rest from the budgets of the entities and cantons. Unemployment benefits were only 1.7% of the total. ESSPROS is the EU's standard system for measuring social protection, so the figures can be compared with EU countries.

Official sources: ESSPROS social protection release

What is Bosnia and Herzegovina's government debt?

The IMF puts general government gross debt in Bosnia and Herzegovina at 28.8% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 47.1% of GDP in 2014 and the low 18.2% of GDP in 2007. Europe & Central Asia median: 46.9% of GDP; Bosnia and Herzegovina is 40th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 159th of 185.

What is Bosnia and Herzegovina's fiscal deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -2.5% of GDP, which is a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 2.1% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at -5.3% of GDP. It is 27th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is -2.4% of GDP. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 89th highest.

How much does Bosnia and Herzegovina's government take in?

In 2025, general government revenue in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 41.6% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 46.3% of GDP; its low point was 2022, at 39.5% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 41.3% of GDP, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 24th highest of 50. Worldwide: 37th of 187.

How big is Bosnia and Herzegovina's government spending as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 44.1% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 49.0% of GDP; its low point was 2022, at 39.2% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 43.3% of GDP, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 24th highest of 50. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 37th highest.

What is tax revenue in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

According to the IMF, central government tax revenue in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 20.2% of GDP in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.8% of GDP (2020) to 21.7% of GDP (2006). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.8% of GDP, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 23rd highest of 42. Worldwide: 36th of 92.

What is Bosnia and Herzegovina's military budget as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from SIPRI, for 2025, is 0.7% of GDP. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 2.0% of GDP, and Bosnia and Herzegovina placed 42nd highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 128th of 149.