The Institute for Youth Development KULT has released findings from a study on the political literacy of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The results indicate that many young people have a negative view of politics, linking it to crime, corruption, and ethnic nationalism.

The study, which surveyed 1,069 individuals aged 15 to 30 across BiH, showed that 48.1% of young people have no trust in political parties. Additionally, nearly half of the respondents believe that people join political parties for personal gain rather than for the benefit of society.

A significant portion of young people is disinterested in politics, with up to 54% of respondents showing little interest in political events. Many also believe that voting doesn’t change anything, further discouraging their participation in elections.

Regarding international relations, 38.5% of young people support BiH's membership in the European Union. However, there are notable differences based on the entity where they live, with those in the Federation of BiH more supportive of EU membership compared to those in the Republika Srpska. Similarly, 52.6% of young people support BiH joining NATO, with younger individuals in the RS expressing more opposition to this than those in the Federation.

The study also highlighted a gap in political knowledge. For instance, 59.8% of respondents didn’t know that Borjana Kristo is the chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, and a majority were unaware of the prime ministers of their respective entities.

Despite this, young people are generally informed about broader political concepts such as the Dayton Peace Agreement, democracy, and civil rights. The report from KULT emphasizes the need to enhance political awareness and engagement among youth in BiH, aiming to foster active citizenship and involvement in the country's development.