Bosnia and Herzegovina census likely delayed until 2031

A new population census in Bosnia and Herzegovina is unlikely to take place in 2027, with experts suggesting it may be delayed until 2031. Officials from the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic Institute for Statistics state that a census requires political and institutional agreements, a legal framework, and secured financial resources.

Demographers warn that the data from the last census in 2013 is now obsolete, particularly in a country experiencing significant migration and emigration. According to Eurostat recommendations, countries should ideally conduct a census in the first year of a decade, making 2031 the most scientifically sound target.

Preparing for such a comprehensive project involves extensive activities, including creating methodological documentation, securing funding, preparing aerial imagery and maps for approximately 25,000 census circles, and conducting a pilot census.