Almost half of Bosnian youth (47%) said they are planning to leave the country temporarily or permanently, said the latest survey of BiH youth aged 18-29, published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday.

It is estimated that around 23,000 youths, or 4 percent of young people in the country, have already taken concrete steps and are very likely to move out in the next 12 months, the survey showed.

Dissatisfaction with the quality of life in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the main driver of young people's interest in going abroad, according to the survey: almost 73 percent of respondents state that the standard of living in their immediate environment has stagnated or even deteriorated.

“Youth migration as such is a good thing: it opens up opportunities for studying and gaining professional experience abroad, learning new languages and getting to know different cultures. But youth should not feel forced to leave their country due to the lack of opportunities at home,” said Alanna Armitage, the UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Emigration is a major factor in Bosnia's declining population, which is projected to fall below 1.6 million by 2070 (from today's 3.5 million). It also exacerbates Bosnia’s ageing population and affects the country's fertility rate, with 1.25 children per woman, which is already one of the lowest in Europe, as many young people of reproductive age start families abroad.

The population of 18 to 24 years of age and men with secondary education, without a job, marital status or those who have dual citizenship or family and friends abroad are most likely to emigrate. In general, research has shown that the more stable a young person’s job situation, the less likely they are to consider moving abroad.

The reasons why the Bosnian youth is interested in emigrating are unfavourable socio-economic conditions, high youth unemployment, lack of quality public services, as well as an environment that does not provide support, in addition to the lack of opportunities for personal growth and professional development. Distrust in public institutions is high, and over 70 percent of youth believe that society is systemically corrupt.

The research was conducted in order to gather information for the development of the Youth Vision by 2030 in BiH, as a process led by the BiH Civil Affairs Ministry in cooperation with the UNFPA and entity ministries responsible for youth, including entity councils and youth councils.

The Youth Vision by 2030 should offer a strategic direction and propose policy measures to improve the position of young people in society, in line with the Lisbon Declaration + 21 adopted by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth.