Research on salary negotiations indicates that men are generally more assertive in requesting larger salary increases compared to women, who tend to make more modest demands. Trends in Bosnia and Herzegovina align closely with the European average, though inflation stands out as a more prominent factor influencing salary demands in the country.

The research, conducted by MojPosao.ba—a member of the Alma Career group—formed part of an international study examining salary negotiation trends. The study surveyed over 24,000 participants from nine countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

One in four respondents across these countries sought the same salary when changing jobs, but most requested higher wages. Gender disparities were evident, with 66 percent of men seeking higher salaries compared to 62 percent of women. Women were also more likely to accept the same salary as their previous role.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, these figures are nearly identical to the international averages, with 66 percent of men and 61 percent of women asking for higher salaries during job changes.

The likelihood of negotiating for a salary increase also rose with higher income levels. Among the highest-paid respondents, three-quarters sought a raise during interviews. Regarding the size of the requested increase, men typically asked for more. About one-third of men requested a 20 percent pay rise, while nearly half of the women preferred a modest 10 percent increase. In BiH, 39 percent of men and 28 percent of women sought a 20 percent increase—higher than the European average.

Regional variations were noted, with participants in the Baltic region more inclined to accept smaller raises, while those in Southeast Europe, including BiH, were more ambitious. Key reasons for requesting salary increases included sufficient work experience and self-confidence (41 percent), inflation (29 percent), and promotions (25 percent). In BiH, inflation played a particularly significant role, cited by 34 percent of respondents as a reason for seeking higher pay, highlighting the impact of the rising cost of living.

Conversely, reasons for accepting lower salaries included changes in job roles (24 percent) and salary levels indicated in job adverts. Gender differences emerged here too, with women more likely to accept lower pay due to job advertisement specifications. At the same time, men cited previously high salaries as a reason for settling for less.

The research also addressed perceptions of the gender pay gap. While nearly half of the male respondents did not see it as an issue, most women considered it a significant problem, particularly in Central and Northern Europe. In BiH, 58 percent of men believed the pay gap was not a concern, a sentiment 39 percent of women shared. However, only 30 percent of women in BiH considered the gap a major issue, indicating a less critical perception than the broader European context.