According to data from the Labor Force Survey in 2019, the unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 15.7 percent (13.6 percent for men and 18.8 percent for women), while for the same period last year it was 18.4 percent (17.2 percent for men and 20.3 percent for women).
The BiH Agency for Statistics published preliminary data of this survey, which was conducted in mid-April, fourteen times, on a sample of 10,789 households, of which 5,969 were selected in the Federation of BiH, 3,750 in Republika Srpska and 1,070 in Brčko District of BiH.
Data show that the unemployment rate was highest among young people aged 15 to 24 and was 33.8 percent (31.3 percent for men and 37.9 percent for women).
In the observed period, 23.1 percent of unemployed people were looking for a job for less than 12 months, and as many as 75.7 percent of unemployed job seekers have been doing business for more than a year, which is a consequence of the post-war situation and transition of economy in BiH.
The educational structure of unemployed shows that 74.1 percent have completed high school, followed by unemployed with elementary or lower education 14.2 percent, and those with completed academic education 11.7 percent.
The employment rate was 35.5 percent, while in 2018 it was 34.3 percent. The employment rate for men was 44.6 percent, while for women it was 26.7 percent. The employment rate was highest in the age group 25 to 49 years and was 60.7 percent.
The educational structure of employees shows that 68 percent of people have completed high school, followed by primary or lower education 16.1 percent, and those with completed academic education 16 percent. The structure of employees by activity sector shows that the largest share in the services sector is 50.3 percent, followed by 31.7 percent in the industry and construction sector, and 18 percent in agriculture, forestry and fishing, Klix.ba news portal reports.