International Bosnia and Herzegovina relations

Country profile & diplomacy overview · 25 relations tracked

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to the north, west, and south. The country is divided into two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. The Federation is largely populated by Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) and Croats, while the Republika Srpska is predominantly populated by Serbs.

Population

3.3M#135 of 203

Land area

51.2K km²#125 of 203

GDP

$32.6B#110 of 197

Military expenditure

$216.0M#126 of 167

Global influence

#110Very Low

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Closest relations Strained relations Bosnia and Herzegovina No data

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a complex political system that reflects its diverse population. The country has a tripartite presidency, with one member of the presidency representing each of the three main ethnic groups. It also has a parliamentary system of government, with the parliament divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples.

The country has a tumultuous history, with the most recent conflict occurring in the 1990s during the breakup of Yugoslavia. In 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared its independence from Yugoslavia, but it was met with resistance from Serb forces, who sought to create a separate state within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conflict, known as the Bosnian War, resulted in the displacement of thousands of people and the deaths of an estimated 100,000 people. A peace agreement known as the Dayton Accords was signed in 1995, ending the war and establishing the current political structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since the end of the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina has made progress in rebuilding and reconciliation, but it still faces challenges such as high unemployment, corruption, and a slow transition to a market economy. The country is a candidate for membership in the European Union, but its accession process has been slowed by these and other issues.

Geography & terrain

Rugged and mountainous, dominated by the Dinaric Alps, with only a narrow strip of coastline near Neum on the Adriatic. Climate is continental inland, turning Mediterranean near that coastal sliver. The steep, forested mountain terrain has historically made overland invasion difficult and favored dispersed defense, though the near-total lack of coastline leaves little naval exposure to worry about.

Key facts

Diverse sources: UN, World Bank, Bosnia and Herzegovina Statistics Office/Department. Most recent available data
Capital	Sarajevo (275.5K people, 8.4% of total population)
Population	3.3M (#135 of 203 countries)
Land area	51.2K km² (#125 of 203 countries)
Main religion	Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy	77 years

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data (2025)
Currency	Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
Main language(s)	Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian
Government type	Parliamentary republic
Time zone	UTC+1.0
GDP	$32.6B (#110 of 197 countries)
GDP per capita	$10.4K (#87 of 198 countries)
International calling code	+387
Driving side	Right
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	5
Military expenditure	$216.0M
Land military expenditure (estimation)	$140.4M
Air military expenditure (estimation)	$54.0M
Naval military expenditure (estimation)	$21.6M
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	0.7%
Military expenditure per capita	$66
Nuclear power	No
European Union	Not a member
NATO	Not a member

Shares a land border with 3 countries — here is how those relations stand

Bosnia and Herzegovina's relations with its neighbors

Most similar countries, by language, currency, GDP per capita, borders & international groups

Rank #110 Very Low International Influence

Bosnia and Herzegovina's actions have no significant effect on the world, and a very limited impact on other countries.

See the full world influence ranking →

Most intense relations

Top 5 relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina by overall intensity. Intensity reflects the level and significance of interaction—not whether the relationship is positive or negative.