FBiH losing population, number of deaths exceeding births and divorces increasing

(Patria) - In November 2018, 1,557 babies were born in FBiH, and 1,672 people died, according to data from the Federal Statistics Office. A negative natural increase was recorded in the first six months of 2018, meaning more people died than were born. The situation was slightly better in the seventh and eighth months of last year when there was a positive natural increase. In September, it was negative again, while in October, there were 24 more births than deaths.

Only in three cantons, Bosanskopodrinjski, Sarajevski, and Tuzlanski, were there more births than deaths in November. The lowest number of births in November was in Posavski Canton, with 9 births and 33 deaths.

The highest number of births in that month was in Sarajevo Canton, with 375, while 326 people died. After Sarajevo, the largest number of newborns was in Tuzla Canton, with 340.

In November, 806 marriages were concluded in FBiH, and 141 divorces were registered. Statistics show that the divorce rate compared to marriages concluded has already exceeded 10 percent.

Statistical data indicate that BiH, and specifically FBiH, is facing a declining population. Adding to this the emigration of young and reproductive-aged people, BiH could soon become a country of the elderly, with the exception of two cantons, Sarajevo and Tuzla.