This year and in following years, a gradual stabilization of the labour market in B&H is expected, which should lead to an increase in net wages and the number of employees, shows the forecast of the Directorate for Economic Planning (DEP) of B&H.
As stated, with the estimated GDP growth in B&H this year, a gradual reduction in the unemployment rate is expected, while the domain of net salaries expects moderate growth, compared to the last year. Also, the positive developments in the BH labour market are expected to continue into next year as well.
“A reduction in the unemployment rate and increase in the number of employees are expected in the EU, thus the workload of companies in BH should be higher, with the increased level of demand, and the business environment should be more favourable”, DEP stated. Regarding the forecasts for 2017 and 2018, it is pointed out from the DEP that the increase in the volume of investment, trade and industrial production should have a positive impact on job creation and an increase in the average net wages.
The total number of employment in B&H is expected to be higher by about two percent in 2017, i.e. 2.1 percent in 2018.
In addition to this, it is assumed that the average net salary in B&H could increase by 1.9 percent in 2017 and 2.1 percent in 2018. However, the DEP stated that the main risks to the realization of these projections are primarily the level of demand and investment and the trade volume in B&H and the EU. The unsatisfactory business environment in B&H could slow down the positive developments in BH labour market.
(Source: ekapija.ba/ photo oslobodjenje)