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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a potential candidate country for European Union membership. The EU is the country’s primary political and economic partner, and its largest donor and investor.
City skyline, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cooperation and financial assistance extends across many fields: agriculture, education, infrastructure, business development and much more. Bosnia and Herzegovina is undertaking ambitious improvements to reach EU standards in areas such as the fight against corruption and organised crime. While challenges remain, the EU is committed to working with Bosnia and Herzegovina to deliver change and improve the quality of life for citizens.

Facts and figures

These infographics are based on latest available
statistical data produced by Eurostat (2019).

POPULATION
3.5
million
POPULATION
68
per km2
FERTILITY RATE
1.30
LIFE EXPECTANCY
73.7
Years
78.8
Years
YOUNG PEOPLE (<15)
16.4%
Years
PEOPLE WITH
TERTIARY EDUCATION
22.5%
Years
GDP per capita
€4,580
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
59%
from EU
73%
to EU

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PUBLICATIONS

Real people, true stories

KEY MILESTONES

July 2008

Signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement & entry into force of the Interim Agreement on trade

December 2010

Visa-free travel to Schengen area

June 2015

Entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement

February 2016

Bosnia and Herzegovina submits EU membership application

May/December 2019

Commission Opinion on EU membership application: 14 key priorities, endorsed by the EU Council conclusions

October 2022

Commission recommendation to the Council to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status, on the understanding that a number of steps are taken

December 2022

The European Council grants candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina