Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.47960/2831-0322.2024.1.28.73
VITAL STATISTICS OF A DIVIDED SOCIETY – THE CASE OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (2013 – 2022)
Martina Miljak
orcid.org/0009-0003-2192-2514
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
*
Mirjana Milićević
; University of Mostar, Faculty of Science and Education
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The society of Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterized by a unique mosaic of ethnic identities and
multiculturalism resulting from the complex history and rich cultural heritage of the peoples living
on the soil of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The same characteristics that make up a unique social
mosaic are the basis of deep divisions at all social and political levels, which consequently prevent
the development and progress of the state. At the same time, extremely unfavorable demographic
trends, negative natural change above all, population aging, emigration and, consequently, the reduction
of the contingent of the population in working and reproductive age determine the general
development of the country and additionally shape the social and economic picture of the country.
Analysis of vital statistics data for the period after the last population census (2013) indicates a
demographic decrease in all constituent nations. Data on the natural movement of the population
according to the nationality of the mother of a live-born child, or the nationality of a death population,
indicate that the natural change is negative in all three constituent nations in the period
from 2013 to 2022. The absence of a population census after 2013 makes it difficult to see the state
of society and create the development plans. The deep divisions of the post-war Bosnian society, the
administrative-territorial division of the state into two entities and one district, the politicization
of all segments of social life and the lack of consensus between state bodies represent an obstacle to
the organization of a new population census, which is necessary as a basis for identifying the needs
and planning the development strategies of the state.
Keywords
Bosnia and Herzegovina; population; population census; vital statistics; constituent nations
Hrčak ID:
321578
URI
Publication date:
22.10.2024.
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