Employment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Employment rate was 43.6% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
43.6%
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
160th
of 186 countries
All-time high
45.2%
in 1991
All-time low
35.5%
in 2006
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Employment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 43.6% for employment rate in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 20.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina peaked at 45.2% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 35.5%, in 2006.
Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 160th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Employment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 45.2% | — |
| 1992 | 44.9% | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 44.1% | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 43.4% | -1.6% |
| 1995 | 42.6% | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 41.9% | -1.5% |
| 1997 | 41.3% | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 40.7% | -1.6% |
| 1999 | 40.1% | -1.5% |
| 2000 | 39.4% | -1.8% |
| 2001 | 38.7% | -1.8% |
| 2002 | 38.0% | -1.7% |
| 2003 | 37.3% | -1.8% |
| 2004 | 36.7% | -1.6% |
| 2005 | 36.1% | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 35.5% | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 36.5% | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 39.4% | +7.7% |
| 2009 | 39.0% | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 37.2% | -4.6% |
| 2011 | 36.9% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 36.5% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 36.5% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 36.3% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 36.1% | -0.6% |
| 2016 | 37.0% | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 39.3% | +6.1% |
| 2018 | 40.1% | +2.1% |
| 2019 | 41.1% | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 39.9% | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 40.6% | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 42.7% | +5.0% |
| 2023 | 44.2% | +3.5% |
| 2024 | 44.0% | -0.4% |
| 2025 | 43.6% | -0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 42.7% | 40.1% | 45.2% | 9 |
| 2000s | 37.7% | 35.5% | 39.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.7% | 36.1% | 41.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.5% | 39.9% | 44.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bosnia and Herzegovina
More work & labour data for Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -1.03 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -1.02 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -1.04 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.13 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.2135 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,976 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,082 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 676.82 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 689.64 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 1,366 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Employment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 43.6% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employment rate recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- The highest recorded value was 45.2% in 1991.
- What is the lowest employment rate recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- The lowest recorded value was 35.5% in 2006.
- How does Bosnia and Herzegovina rank for employment rate?
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 160th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment rate rising or falling in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Bosnia and Herzegovina data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and older) who are employed.