# Demographic decline and economic shifts in Bosnia and Herz > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/demographic-decline-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina > Updated: 2026-08-23T09:07:02.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to face a severe demographic crisis characterized by significant natural population decline. Data from the Agency for Statistics confirms the country lost nearly 30,000 inhabitants over a three-year period, with 2025 recording 24,105 births against 35,801 deaths. This decline has impacted the national education system, resulting in a reduction of approximately 7,800 primary school students and the closure of 45 schools over the last three years. Recent data from the Federal Institute for Statistics highlights a persistent downward trend in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the first half of 2026, deaths exceeded births by 2,408 people. Specifically, in June 2026, the region recorded a deficit of 225 people, with negative natural growth observed in eight out of ten cantons. The Central Bosnia Canton experienced the most pronounced decline, while only the West Herzegovina and Sarajevo cantons reported positive growth. Demographer Miodrag Pantović has warned of a specific crisis facing the Serb population in Sarajevo and several municipalities within the Federation, such as Drvar and Bosansko Grahovo. Pantović stated that in Sarajevo, the annual death rate among Serbs is ten times higher than the birth rate, describing the community as being “on the verge of extinction.” He attributed this to permanent displacement following the 1990s war. Economic indicators remain mixed. While the Federation's banking sector reported a net profit of 321.9 million KM for the first half of 2026, public enterprises in Republika Srpska faced significant losses, including 99.4 million KM in 2025 across six enterprises in the energy and railway sectors. ## Claims - The education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen a decrease of nearly 7,800 students and the closure of 45 schools over three years. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 24,105 births and 35,801 deaths. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Bosnia and Herzegovina has lost nearly 30,000 inhabitants through natural population decline over the last three years. (corroborated by 3 sources) - There were 1,622 regular primary schools operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2025/2026 school year. (single source) - The Bosnian education system has lost 7,758 students over the past three school years. (single source) - The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina had 548,848 employees in June 2026. (single source) - Six public enterprises in Republika Srpska recorded a combined loss of 99.4 million KM. (single source) - Banks headquartered in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina earned a net profit of 321.9 million KM in the first half of 2026. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Demographer warns of Serb population crisis in Sarajevo Demographer Miodrag Pantović warns of a demographic crisis for Serbs in Sarajevo, noting that annual deaths outpace births tenfold and highlighting severe population declines in several Bosnian municipalities. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/demographer-warns-of-serb-population-crisis-in-sarajevo ### 2026-08-18: Bosnia and Herzegovina faces demographic decline and economic shifts Bosnia and Herzegovina faces a demographic crisis with a loss of 30,000 inhabitants in three years, impacting schools. Meanwhile, banking profits rise in the Federation while some public firms face losses. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-faces-major-demographic-decline ### 2026-08-14: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina reports significant population decline The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 2,408 more deaths than births in the first half of 2026, continuing a trend of negative natural population growth across most cantons. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federation-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina-reports-significant-population-decline --- Cite as: Demographic decline and economic shifts in Bosnia and Herz. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/demographic-decline-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina