Bosnia and Herzegovina's Diaspora Between Economic Potential and Political Marginalization

(Patria) - At the session of Krug 99 held on May 31, 2026, participants opened a broad discussion on the role of the diaspora of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the political, economic and social development of the country, with the assessment that its potential remains insufficiently systematically recognized and utilized.

In the introductory presentation, Amina Agović-Argillander emphasized that the diaspora can no longer be viewed solely as a financial support, but as an active partner in the development of the country.

It was highlighted that around 34% of citizens born in BiH now live abroad, while the total number of people of Bosnian origin in the diaspora is estimated at around 2.2 million. Remittances reaching several billion convertible marks annually confirm the economic weight of this segment of society, but, as stated, without an adequate institutional strategy, this potential remains fragmented.

Special emphasis was placed on the lack of a systemic approach by the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the diaspora. The presentation assessed that there is no unified strategy, nor clear mechanisms that would enable the long-term inclusion of the diaspora in investment and development processes. Instead, communication, as stated, is most often reduced to ad hoc contacts, humanitarian actions and election campaigns.

In the second part of the discussion, the focus was on the political participation of the diaspora and its declining involvement in electoral processes. Edin Osmančević pointed to the trend of decreasing diaspora turnout, with multi-layered causes including distrust in institutions, a feeling of political instrumentalization and administrative obstacles in the voting process.

According to the data presented, citizens abroad are still required to actively register before each election cycle, while the process is often accompanied by technical difficulties, delays and application rejections. Such practice was assessed as a serious obstacle to the exercise of voting rights and as a factor that further demotivates the political participation of the diaspora.

It was also emphasized that long-standing dissatisfaction with the political system, marked by corruption, nepotism and ethnic divisions, further weakens the connection between the diaspora and the home country, especially among younger generations who have grown up or integrated into Western societies.

Within the proposals for improving the situation, possible institutional reforms were mentioned, including the introduction of passive voter registration, modernization of electronic voting systems, and strengthening of institutional channels of cooperation with the diaspora through special bodies or ministries.

The third segment of the discussion concerned the political dynamics in the entity of Republika Srpska. Miloš Mijatović assessed that the gathering of pro-Bosnian political entities through joint lists had a certain institutional effect, including an increase in the number of seats in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

The role of the diaspora in election results was particularly emphasized, with data showing a significant decline in support for anti-Bosnian options in voting from abroad compared to earlier election cycles, along with a moderate increase in support for pro-Bosnian parties. Nevertheless, it was assessed that this trend has not been accompanied by continuous institutional work with the diaspora, which represents a missed opportunity for long-term strengthening of the political connection.

In conclusion, the participants agreed that the diaspora of Bosnia and Herzegovina represents simultaneously an economic, political and intellectual resource that remains insufficiently integrated into the institutional system of the country. A more stable and functional relationship between the state and the diaspora was identified as one of the key prerequisites for strengthening democratic capacities and long-term social stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.