Public Opinion on EU Membership & Integration: June-September 2024
This public opinion poll conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from June to September 2024 explores views on EU membership and the integration process. The methodology, sample size, geographic distribution, and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents are detailed, providing valuable insights into the perceptions within the population.
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PUBLIC OPINION POLL Views on membership of the European Union and the EU integration process June-September 2024
METHODOLOGY Data collection 10/06 28/06/2024 Quantitative research using the CATI method (computer-aided telephone Method interviewing) Population Residents of BiH aged 18 and over Sample Random, multistage stratified sample, representative of BiH Sample frame Census of population, households and dwellings in BiH, 2013 www.popis.gov.ba Size of sample N=1.200 Sample error +/- 2.8% on the total sample
METHODOLOGY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAMPLE REGION UNA-SANA CANTON Posavina Canton Tuzla Canton ZENICA-DOBOJ CANTON BOSNIAN PODRINJE CANTON Central Bosnia Canton HERCEGOVINA-NERETVA CANTON West Herzegovina Canton SARAJEVO CANTON CANTON 10 FBIH REGION OF BANJA LUKA DOBOJ REGION BIJELJINA REGION ISTO NO SARAJEVO REGION ZVORNIK REGION REGION EAST HERZEGOVINA REPUBLIKA SRPSKA BD Br ko District Sample structure by gender: BiH N 18+ 18+ % 0.1198832 0.0201904 0.2016900 0.1626535 0.0109797 0.1130127 0.1010037 0.0417768 0.1898082 0.0390018 Size of sample Men Women 48.5% 51.5% 93 15 151 124 211.166 35.564 355.263 286.503 19.340 199.064 177.911 73.587 334.334 68.699 1 761 431 455.968 178.521 113.817 79.808 89.365 92.467 1.009.946 67.081 Sample structure by age: 8 18-34: 35-49: 50-64: 65+: 29.1% 26.5% 26.7% 17.7% FBIH 754 86 75 32 141 29 754 188 74 47 33 38 38 418 28 Sample structure by ethnicity: 1 Bosniaks: Croats: Serbs: Other 50.4% 15.4% 32.3% 1.8% 0.451478 0.176763 0.112696 0.079022 0.088485 0.091556 RS 418 Sample structure by type of settlement: 1 1 urban rural areas 44% 56% 28 Note: Regarding a statistically significant difference in findings, it was taken at a level of 0.05, meaning that there is a 5% or less probability that it was produced by accident, meaning that it can be argued with 95% certainty that it is the result of a systematic factor. Post-stratification weights were applied to align the sample with known population parameters according to the 2013 Census. The variables used: gender x age. The results for the Br ko District have limited reliability due to the small number of interviews. Comparison with the results of the research from 2022 and 2023 was made for questions that were identical in their content to those from the current year (2024).
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE 2024 BiH FBIH RS BD BiH FBIH RS BD BiH FBIH RS BD N=1200 N=754 N=418 N=28 N=1200 N=754 N=418 N=28 N=1200 N=754 N=418 N=28 City 44.0 44.8 41.9 53.6 Employed Without primary school 42.6 40.3 45.4 60.7 1.1 1.6 0.2 0.0 Village 56.0 55.2 58.1 46.4 Student Primary school 6.7 7.1 6.5 0 10.6 11.9 8.6 3.6 MALE 48.5 48.4 48.6 50.0 Housewife Secondary school 10.7 11.7 9.1 7.1 64.7 62.7 68.2 67.8 FEMALE 51.5 51.6 51.4 50.0 Pensioner University 20.8 20.6 21.1 25.0 23.6 23.8 23 28.6 18-34 29.1 28.9 29.4 28.6 Unemployed No income 19.2 20.3 17.9 7.2 10.1 9.5 11.5 3.6 35-49 26.5 26.5 26.6 25.0 Croats BAM 1-300 15.4 22.8 1.7 21.4 16.2 17.4 14.6 7.1 50-64 26.7 26.8 26.5 28.6 Bosniaks BAM 301-700 50.4 72.2 11.9 39.3 17.7 18.2 17.2 14.3 65+ 17.7 17.8 17.5 17.8 Serbs BAM 701-1000 32.3 2.1 86.4 39.3 16.4 17.8 14.4 10.7 Other BAM 1001 and more 1.9 2.9 0.0 0.0 39.6 37.1 42.3 64.3
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE 2024 Gender Age 17.7 29.1 51.5 48.5 26.7 26.5 MALE FEMALE 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE 2024 Education Employment status 1.1 19.2 10.6 23.6 42.6 20.8 10.7 6.7 64.7 Employed Housewife Unemployed persons Student Pensioner Without primary school Primary school Secondary school University
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE 2024 Income Nationality 1.9 10.1 15.4 32.3 16.2 39.6 17.7 16.4 50.4 Croats Bosniaks Serbs Other No income BAM 1-300 BAM 301-700 BAM 701-1000 BAM 1001 and more
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE 2024 Type of settlement 44.0 56.0 Urban Rural
MAIN FINDINGS Nine out of ten BiH residents would cast ballot in a referendum on the country's EU membership. Seven out of ten BiH residents would vote in favour of the country s accession to the EU. On average, eight out of ten residents of the FBiH and the Br ko District of BiH would vote in favour of the country s accession to the EU compared to five out of ten in the RS. Compared to previous surveys, this year's survey shows that residents' support for the entry of BiH in the EU is in a slight decline (71.2%). Compared to the survey in 2022, this support decreased by 6.2%, and compared to the survey in 2023, the percentage of support decreased by 2.1%. At the same time, the percentage of respondents who opposed BiH s accession to the EU increased by 4.5% compared to the survey in 2023. By Entities, almost four out of ten (37.9%) of the RS residents would vote in the referendum against the accession and 9.9% of the FBiH residents. The freedom of movement of people, capital, and goods, followed by the guarantees of long-term peace and political stability and adherence to laws and regulations are the main reasons why people support BiH s accession to the EU. Higher living expenses and taxes are the most frequent reason given by respondents for not supporting EU membership in a referendum. In addition to these, the excessive centralisation and emigration are notable causes. The loss of cultural diversity has been replaced by population emigration, particularly in the Republika Srpska, where this was one of the main arguments against EU membership. It is noteworthy that as of this year, population emigration is listed as one of the reasons.
MAIN FINDINGS On average, four out of ten BiH residents believe that the fight against corruption is a reform which is necessary to improve their daily lives. In addition to this reform, other necessary reforms to improve everyday life are the reforms of courts and prosecutors' offices, the reduction of tax burdens and the removal of barriers to employment. There are no significant differences in responses between the Entities. As in earlier surveys, the people of BiH stated that the EU was interested in BiH's membership mostly because of its natural resources and its commitment to maintaining peace and stability. Skilled workers have a slight advantage over the expansion of the European market, while in 2023 the expansion of the European market had an advantage over skilled workers. Although in a smaller percentage compared to previous surveys, slightly less than half of the residents of BiH see the future of the EU in strong internal relations and continued enlargement. This opinion was expressed by 54.4% of respondents from the FBiH and 30.7% of the RS. One in three residents in the RS believe that either the EU as an integration will not survive (30.8%) or the EU will undergo a type of block division (20.0%). According to 42.2% of BiH residents, the young people would benefit the most from membership in the EU. Politicians are still second, followed by entrepreneurs. Residents of the RS are more inclined than the ones of the FBiH to see more benefits for politicians than citizens (29.2% vs 18.1%). According to the residents of BiH, farmers would benefit the least from BiH joining the EU (4.9%). Five out of ten residents expect that living standards will improve significantly after BiH's accession to the EU. Respondents from the FBiH are much more inclined to believe this than those from the RS (63.5% vs. 39.1%).
MAIN FINDINGS The largest barrier to EU membership is believed to be the politicisation of the integration process, which is followed by resistance to change and objective barriers (wide-ranging reforms in all areas of life). According to the RS respondents, the current state of affairs in the EU is the second-biggest barrier to BiH's integration into the EU. Such opinion also shows an increase at the level of BiH from 9.2% in 2022 to 13.6% in 2024. According to the 2024 survey, the growing trend in knowledge about the Directorate for European Integration has stalled in comparison to previous years. There are no significant differences in percentages between the Entities. In 2024, respondents from BiH were more interested in topics about the possibility of using EU financial assistance, followed by the impact of the European integration process on the daily life of residents and the benefits of EU integration. The FBiH residents are more interested in topics about the possibility of using EU financial assistance, while the RS residents in the costs of integration. "I do not know" answers were more common among the RS residents than among the FBiH residents (19.1% vs. 10%). The primary sources of information about EU integration are TV and the Internet, and the radio is most often used as a supplementary media. Most BiH residents (59.4%) recognised the EU is the country's biggest donor of funding. This opinion is shared by 70.0% of the FBiH residents and 40.1% of the RS residents. According to the BiH residents, the second largest donor is Turkey (in the FBiH 17.2%), and Russia (21.9%) in the RS.
MAIN FINDINGS According to the 2023 survey, 39.6% of BiH inhabitants believe that their country would join the EU within a maximum of ten years, indicating that the country's candidate status and the decision to open accession negotiations for full membership rekindled optimism among BiH citizens. People in the FBiH are more optimistic than those in the RS (44.9% vs. 31%). 24.4% of BiH residents believe that BiH will never join the EU. Although the overall percentage of this opinion is declining in comparison to previous surveys, it is still larger in the RS (35.1%) than in the FBiH (17.9%). The survey's findings this year maintained the growing perception that BiH's European course has no alternative. There are no significant differences in percentages between the Entities.
SURVEY FINDINGS 2024
1. HOW WOULD YOU VOTE IF A REFERENDUM ON EU MEMBERSHIP WERE TO BE HELD TOMORROW AND THE QUESTION WAS "DO YOU SUPPORT THE ACCESSION OF BIH INTO THE EU?" NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 100 90 80 At the state level, seven out of ten people would support EU membership. 70 60 In contrast to the RS, where nearly five out of ten residents share this opinion, the FBiH and the Br ko District show the strongest support (eight out of ten). 50 40 One in ten people would not vote in a referendum, and less than 2.0% of people are uncertain. 30 20 10 0 BiH 71.2 19.7 7.5 FBIH 83.8 9.9 4.3 RS 48.3 37.9 12.9 BD 75.1 10.7 14.2 Yes No I would not vote Does not know/Does not want to answer 1.6 2.0 0.9 0.0
2. WHY DO YOU SUPPORT BIH'S ACCESSION TO THE EU? NBiH=856, nFBiH=632, nRS=203, nDB=21 100 90 The three main reasons why BiH residents support the country s accession to the EU are the guarantee of lasting peace and political stability, the freedom of movement of people, goods and capital, and compliance with laws and regulations. 80 70 60 50 According to 43.5% of the RS population, the freedom of movement of people, goods and capital is the primary reason to support BiH's membership in the EU. 40 30 20 All of the responses and general economic advancement were highlighted by those who stated another reason (3.2%) for supporting the accession. 10 0 BiH FBIH RS BD Guarantee of lasting peace and political stability Freedom of movement for people, goods and capital Compliance with laws and regulations Infrastructure improvement Something else 32.3 34.4 28.4 10.0 35.1 31.5 43.5 61.8 19.9 9.5 3.2 20.5 10.4 3.2 18.8 5.9 3.4 13.5 14.7 0.0
3. WHY DO YOU NOT SUPPORT BIH'S ACCESSION TO THE EU? NBiH=235, nFBiH=74, nRS=158, nDB=3 100 90 80 One-fifth of BiH population (19.7%) oppose the country's membership in the EU, citing "higher costs of living and taxes" as the primary cause, followed centralization" and "population emigration." 70 60 by "excessive 50 40 30 20 10 0 BiH 12.5 7.5 43.7 13.7 12.8 9.8 FBIH 13.7 8.1 51.1 10.7 10.9 5.5 RS 11.6 7.3 40.9 14.8 13.3 12.1 BD 33.8 0.0 0.0 33.8 32.4 0.0 Loss of diversity of cultures Increased bureaucracy Higher living costs and taxes Excessive centralisation Emigration of the population Something else
4. IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING REFORMS IS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE DAILY LIFE OF BIH INHABITANTS? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 2.4 Every second inhabitant of BiH believes that the fight against corruption is necessary to improve the daily life. BiH 17.6 9.6 41.6 13.7 13.6 1.5 In addition to fighting corruption, one-fifth of residents feel it is vital to lower tax burdens on work and remove barriers to employment, followed by social system reform and the reform of court and prosecutor s system. 2.1 FBIH 18.7 9.4 41.9 13.6 13.6 0.7 Residents in the FBiH believe that lowering tax on work and removing employment are more important, whereas there are no significant differences between the Entities with regard to other reforms. 3.1 RS 15.9 9.1 40.4 14.8 13.7 3.0 barriers to 0.0 BD 10.9 21.6 53.4 0.0 14.1 0.0 Reducing tax burdens on labour and removing barriers to employment Fight against corruption Reform of courts and prosecutor's offices Does not know\ Does not want to answer Public administration reform Social system reform None
5. WHY DO YOU THINK THE EU IS INTERESTED IN BIH'S ACCESSION? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 0.0 2.8 3.7 4.0 6.3 Three out of ten residents of BiH say that the EU is interested in BiH s accession because of its natural resources, and four out of ten think that the reason is to maintain peace and stability. 0.0 2.0 2.3 3.5 4.5 2.7 4.9 6.0 14.1 15.3 25.8 18.4 16.5 16.5 A third of the population are divided in their opinion whether the country s skilled labour force and the growth of the European market are the main reasons the EU is interested in BiH's accession. 15.7 31.4 52.6 33.5 36.1 The RS inhabitants are more likely than the FBiH inhabitants to believe that the EU is more interested in BiH's accession because of its natural resources and the expansion of the European market than because it wants to maintain peace and stability. 28.7 23.5 14.8 14.4 BiH FBIH RS BD To ensure peace and stability Because of skilled and qualified workers Because of a good investment climate Does not know\ Does not want to answer Because of the natural resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina Because of the expansion of the European market Something else
6. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE EU? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 8.9 9.4 9.9 17.4 0.4 0.6 0.9 9.1 8.4 7.7 0.0 0.0 Just under half of the BiH population believe that the EU will strengthen internal relations and continue its enlargement. This opinion is more prevalent in the FBiH than in the RS (54.4% vs 30.7%) whose residents are more likely than those in the FBiH to believe that the EU as an integration will fail and undergo a type of block division. 14.2 16.7 20.0 36.1 13.0 19.6 30.8 29.0 54.4 45.3 30.7 17.5 BiH FBIH RS BD Does not know\ Does not want to answer Other The EU will abandon the common currency and some common policies The EU will experience a type of block division
7. WHAT PART OF SOCIETY, IN YOUR OPINION, WOULD BENEFIT THE MOST FROM BIHS ACCESSION TO THE EU? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 The majority of inhabitants of BiH believe that young people would benefit the most from the accession to the EU, followed by politicians, entrepreneurs, researchers. According to one out of 10 residents, nobody specifically will benefit from BiH's accession to the EU. Residents of the RS, far more than those of the FBiH, politicians will benefit the most from BiH s accession to the EU (29.2% vs 18.1%) while less believe that young people will benefit (29.9% vs 49.0%). 100 90 80 students and 70 60 50 40 30 believe that 20 10 0 BiH 10.0 7.5 22.0 42.2 4.9 12.4 1.0 FBIH 9.9 7.8 18.1 49.0 6.1 8.0 1.1 RS 9.6 7.6 29.2 29.9 2.7 20.1 0.9 BD 17.8 0.0 18.1 45.5 3.5 15.1 0.0 Entrepreneurs Students and researchers Politicians Youth Farmers No one in particular Does not know\ Does not want to answer
8. DO YOU EXPECT THAT THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF CITIZENS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE AFTER THE ACCESSION OF BIH TO THE EU? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 4.3 4.4 4.5 11.3 A little over half of inhabitants of BiH believe that the standard of living would improve BiH's accession to the EU. This opinion is significantly more prevalent in the FBiH than in the RS (63.5% vs. 39.1%). 32.2 40.9 significantly after 39.8 56.5 63.5 54.6 48.9 39.1 BiH FBIH RS BD Yes No Does not know\ Does not want to answer
9. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST OBSTACLE COMPLICATING THE INTEGRATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA INTO THE EU? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 3.6 4.2 5.2 7.5 0.0 8.8 13.6 23.3 The integration politicisation of the process. This opinion is more common in the FBiH than in residents believe that the current situation in the EU complicates the integration process. In addition to the politicisation of the integration process, obstacle to the BiH integration into the EU is the resistance to change. There is no significant difference between the Entities and the state level on this issue. biggest obstacle into to BiH's the 14.3 25.0 the EU is 15.0 12.7 6.6 15.6 11.8 the RS, where 10.4 22.0 31.7 21.1 18.7 a significant 38.6 34.3 29.2 26.8 BiH FBIH RS BD Politicisation of the integration process Insufficient understanding of the process Current state of affairs in the European Union Resistance to change Objective obstacles (extensive reforms in all spheres of life) Does not know\ Does not want to answer
10. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE DIRECTORATE FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BIH? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 100 90 Half of BiH population have heard of the Directorate for European Integration. 39.6 80 49.9 50.0 50.9 70 60 50 40 60.4 30 49.2 49.4 48.2 20 10 0 BiH 50.0 49.2 0.8 FBIH 49.9 49.4 0.7 RS 50.9 48.2 0.9 BD 39.6 60.4 0.0 Yes No Refuses to respond
11. WHAT TOPICS RELATED TO THE EU INTEGRATION PROCESS ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 50 One interested in the possibility of using EU financial assistance, respondents stated interested in topics related to the impact of the EU integration process on day-to-day life. quarter of BiH population are 40 and that one they fifth of were 30 20 Interest in the possibility of using EU financial assistance is higher in the FBiH than in the RS (31.5% vs 18.9%). 10 0 BiH FBIH RS BD The impact of the European integration process on the daily lives of citizens Benefits of EU integration Possibility to use EU financial assistance Reforms within the integration process Integration costs Other Does not know\ Does not want to answer 22.1 22.0 22.8 14.5 15.2 26.7 11.9 8.4 1.5 14.2 15.3 31.5 13.3 6.1 1.1 10.7 14.7 18.9 9.8 12.3 2.4 19.1 21.2 13.7 3.4 11.1 0.0 36.1
12. WHICH INFORMATION SOURCES DO YOU MOST FREQUENTLY UTILISE TO LEARN ABOUT EUROPEAN INTEGRATION? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 First response Second response First response 1. 2. TV 40.3 38.1 TV Internet 3.5 9.7 RADIO 48.4 17.8 INTERNET 48.4% 40.3% 2.3 9.1 PRINT 3. Radio 2.0 6.5 PUBLIC EVENTS 0 Other 0.7 The information for BiH's inhabitants regarding European integration, with television and radio coming in second and third. Internet is the primary source of 3.5% 18.1 None of the above 3.5
13. THE LARGEST DONOR OF FUNDS TO BIH IS...? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 3.4 11.8 9.8 15.9 10.6 0.0 7.8 According residents of BiH, the biggest donor of funds is the EU. to the majority of 17.2 14.2 14.0 21.9 3.0 10.6 7.0 8.1 For FBiH residents, Turkey is the biggest donor after the EU, whereas RS residents believe Russia. 14.0 that it is 70.0 61.2 59.4 40.1 BiH FBIH RS BD European Union China Turkey Russia Does not know\ Does not want to answer
14. ACCORDING TO YOUR ESTIMATES, WHEN WILL BIH ENTER THE EU? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 Two-fifths of BiH residents believe that the country will join the EU within 10 years (39.6%), and 24.4% believe that this will never happen. 17.9 24.4 35.1 43.1 12.9 13.6 44.9% of FBiH residents believe BiH will be in the EU within ten years, compared to nearly one-third in the RS. 13.9 24.3 22.4 28.4 19.3 Three out of ten residents of the RS believe BiH will never join the EU. 44.9 14.4 39.6 31.7 14.1 BiH FBIH RS BD Within a maximum of 10 years Within a maximum of 15 years Within a maximum of 20 years Never
15. IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO BIH'S EUROPEAN PATH, IN YOUR OPINION? NBiH=1,200, nFBiH=754, nRS=418, nDB=28 100 90 24.7 35.1 36.2 There are no notable distinctions between the Entities because the BiH inhabitants agreement over country's European route has an alternative. 37.3 80 70 were in whether the 60 50 63.9 40 52.9 In general, believe that there is no other option than to European path, while at least one-third disagree. half of population 53.9 54.1 30 follow the 20 10 12.0 11.4 9.9 8.6 0 BiH 36.2 53.9 9.9 FBIH 37.3 54.1 8.6 RS 35.1 52.9 12.0 BD 24.7 63.9 11.4 Yes No Refuses to respond
COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE FINDINGS FROM 2022, 2023 AND 2024
Sociodemographic characteristics of the research sample 2022, 2023, 2024 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022 BiH N=1200 N=1200 N=1200 BiH N=1200 N=1200 N=1200 BiH N=1200 N=1200 N=1200 No primary school completed (%) FBIH (N) Employed (%) 754 754 754 42.6 39.4 36.9 1.1 0.6 1.7 RS (N) Student (%) 418 418 418 6.7 7.0 8.3 Primary school (%) 10.6 8.3 16.8 District Br ko (N) Housewife (%) 28 28 28 10.7 10.8 10.3 Secondary school (%) 64.7 72.8 69.6 City (%) Pensioner (%) 44.0 44.0 44.0 20.8 22.2 24.8 University (%) 23.6 18.3 12.0 Village (%) Unemployed (%) 56.0 56.0 56.0 19.2 20.6 19.8 Refuses to respond (%) 0 0 0 Refuses to respond (%) 0 0 0 Refuses to respond (%) No income (%) 0 0 0 10.1 8.7 11.3 Male(%) 1-300 KM (%) 48.5 48.5 48.5 Croats (%) 16.2 12.5 16.3 15.4 15.4 15.4 Female(%) 301-700 KM (%) 17.7 29.9 37.9 51.5 51.5 51.5 Bosniacs (%) 50.4 50.1 50.1 701-1000 KM (%) 16.4 20.1 18.8 18-34 (%) 29.1 29.1 29.1 Serbs (%) 32.3 32.2 32.2 BAM 1001 and more (%) 39.6 28.8 15.8 35-49 (%) 26.5 26.5 26.5 Other (%) 1.9 2.3 2.3 Refuses to respond (%) 0 0 0 50-64 (%) 26.7 26.7 26.8 Refuses to respond (%) 0 0 0 65+ (%) 17.7 17.7 17.7 ! In case of significant differences in the survey data, it is necessary to check the sociodemographic characteristics of the sample. Refuses to respond (%) 0 0 0
IF A REFERENDUM FOR EU MEMBERSHIP WERE TO BE HELD TOMORROW, WITH THE QUESTION DO YOU SUPPORT THE ENTRY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION , HOW WOULD YOU VOTE? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 100 90 Support for BiH's accession to the EU is slightly lower than it was a year ago. On average, 7 out of 10 residents of BiH would vote in a referendum in favour of accession to the EU. According to this year's survey, the proportion of people who would not vote in a referendum has somewhat decreased from 2023 (7.5% vs. 9.5%), with an increase in the people who would vote against accession (19.7% vs. 15.2%). 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 proportion of 10 0 % 2022 77.4 16.0 5.2 2023 73.3 15.2 9.5 2024 71.2 19.7 7.5 Yes No I would not vote Does not know/Does not want to answer 1.4 2.0 1.6
WHY DO YOU SUPPORT BIH'S ACCESSION TO THE EU? N2022=928, N2023=881, N2024=856 100 Similar to the 2023 survey, the majority of respondents this year cited freedom of movement of people, capital and goods as the primary justification for supporting EU membership. 90 80 70 60 50 40 The guarantee of lasting peace and political stability second, followed by compliance with laws and regulations. 30 comes 20 10 0 2022 2023 2024 Guarantee of lasting peace and political stability Freedom of movement for people, goods and capital Compliance with laws and regulations Infrastructure improvement Something else None Does not know\ Does not want to answer 34.4 30.5 32.3 32.0 36.3 35.1 22.8 6.6 4.2 0 22.4 9.1 1.7 0 19.9 9.5 3.2 0 0 0 0
WHY DO YOU NOT SUPPORT BIH'S ACCESSION TO THE EU? N2022=190, N2023=183, N2024=235 The percentage of people who do not support accession to the EU is growing slightly compared surveys (19.7% vs. 15.2% vs. 16.0%). The reasons why oppose BiH's accession to the EU remain fairly compared to previous years, with higher costs of living and taxes remaining the reason. 100 the country s 90 80 to previous 70 60 inhabitants 50 40 unchanged 30 20 most common 10 0 2022 19.8 6.5 50.4 10.0 2023 17.5 5.4 52.7 13.2 2024 12.5 7.5 43.7 13.7 12.8 9.8 0.0 % Loss of diversity of cultures Increased bureaucracy Higher living costs and taxes Excessive centralisation Emigration of the population Something else None Does not know\ Does not want to answer * the Population emigration option was not included in previous surveys. 9.1 0.0 7.9 0.0 4.2 3.3 0
IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING REFORMS IS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE DAILY LIFE OF BIH INHABITANTS? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 Although it continues the downward trend, the fight remains the most important factor in 2024 for improving the quality of life for people living in BiH (41.6% vs. 46.6% vs. 49.0). Reducing tax burdens on labour and removing barriers remains the second most important necessary reform. In 2024, a greater proportion of people in BiH believe prosecutorial reform and social system reform are equally improving their quality of life, while public administration reform is starting to gain importance in comparison to earlier surveys. against corruption 0.4 0.5 2022 17.2 6.8 49.0 11.5 14.5 to employment 1.3 2023 17.6 4.9 46.6 10.3 18.3 1.0 that judicial and important for 1.5 2024 17.6 9.6 41.6 13.7 13.6 2.4 Reducing tax burdens on labour and removing barriers to employment Fight against corruption Reform of courts and prosecutor's offices Does not know\ Does not want to answer Public administration reform Social system reform None
WHY DO YOU THINK THE EU IS INTERESTED IN BIHS ACCESSION? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 Regarding the reasons why the EU is interested accession, the opinions of the country's citizens in 2024 are not much different previous years. As the main reasons for the EU's interest in BiH's accession, the respondents stated: resources, ensuring peace and stability, and European market. This year's survey indicates a modest rise in answers "skilled and qualified comparison to previous years. in BiH's 2.5 4.0 5.9 2.5 2.3 2.8 1.6 4.9 3.2 16.4 15.3 from those of 17.9 15.6 16.5 13.5 natural expanding the 39.5 33.5 36.6 workers" in 23.5 21.3 20.6 2022 2023 2024 To ensure peace and stability Because of skilled and qualified workers Because of a good investment climate Does not know\ Does not want to answer Because of the natural resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina Because of the expansion of the European market Something else
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE EU? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 When asked about the future of the EU, the highest percentage of BiH people believe that the EU will strengthen internal relations and continue with enlargement, but this percentage decline compared to earlier years (45.3% vs. 51.3%). 4.7 0.0 9.4 10.4 6.5 0.6 0.3 8.4 7.5 16.1 13.1 16.7 shows a 21.4 17.4 19.6 In this year's survey, the opinion of inhabitants is slightly increasing that the EU as an integration will fail and undergo a type of block division. The results of this year's survey are most similar to the 2022 survey, at least when it comes to these options. 51.3 51.3 45.3 2022 2023 2024 two answer Does not know\ Does not want to answer The EU will abandon the common currency and some common policies The EU as an integration will not survive Something else The EU will experience a type of block division The EU will consolidate internal relations and continue enlargement
WHAT PART OF SOCIETY, IN YOUR OPINION, WOULD BENEFIT THE MOST FROM BIHS ACCESSION TO THE EU? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 100 The majority of BiH population thinks that young people would benefit the most from the country s accession. Responses such as "politicians" and "entrepreneurs" have increase since 2023 earlier years, while the trend for the response "farmers" continues a slight decline. As in previous years, in 2024, one in ten persons think that no one would benefit from BiH accession to the EU. 90 80 70 continued compared to to 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2022 7.3 7.0 15.6 49.9 6.5 12.5 1.2 2023 8.3 6.8 16.3 50.7 5.5 10.9 1.5 2024 10.0 7.5 22.0 42.2 4.9 12.4 1.0 Entrepreneurs Students and researchers Politicians Youth Farmers No one in particular Does not know\ Does not want to answer
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST OBSTACLE COMPLICATING THE INTEGRATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA INTO THE EU? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 The integration process makes it most difficult for BiH to integrate into the EU, but to a greater extent than in previous years (34.3% vs. 40.9% vs. 39.1%). "Unwillingness to change" ranks second, but the downward trend from 2023 continued, objective obstacles current state of affairs in the EU recorded growth previous years. politicisation of the 2.2 4.2 5.0 9.2 8.5 13.6 13.3 14.5 15.0 8.3 7.8 11.8 27.9 while the 23.3 and 21.1 compared to 40.9 39.1 34.3 2022 2023 2024 Politicisation of the integration process Insufficient understanding of the process Current state of affairs in the European Union Resistance to change Objective obstacles (extensive reforms in all spheres of life) Does not know\ Does not want to answer
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE DIRECTORATE FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BIH? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 100 90 80 This year's survey showed that every second person in BiH has heard of the European Integration. This knowledge is lower than a year earlier (-6%) and very similar to the result from 2022 (-1,8%). 50.0 51.8 56.0 70 Directorate for 60 50 40 30 49.2 46.9 41.5 20 10 2.5 1.3 0 0.8 2022 51.8 46.9 1.3 2023 56.0 41.5 2.5 2024 50.0 49.2 0.8 Yes No Refuses to respond
WHAT TOPICS RELATED TO THE EU INTEGRATION PROCESS ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 50 In 2024, the topics that are the subject of interest in the media in BiH, in connection European integration are the possibility of using EU financial assistance, the impact of the European integration process on the daily life and the benefits of EU integration. 40 with process, the 30 20 10 0 2022 2023 2024 The impact of the European integration process on the daily lives of citizens Benefits of EU integration Possibility to use EU financial assistance Reforms within the integration process Integration costs Something else Does not know\ Does not want to answer 33.4 30.4 22.1 14.8 23.2 12.7 7.2 0.2 8.5 14.3 19.5 14.4 6.7 0.0 14.7 15.2 26.7 11.9 8.4 1.5 14.2
WHICH INFORMATION SOURCES DO YOU MOST FREQUENTLY UTILISE TO LEARN ABOUT EUROPEAN INTEGRATION? FIRST RESPONSE N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 100 In continued to be the primary source of information about European integration (first response). 2024, the Internet 90 80 70 60 50 The second source is TV (40.3%). Compared to continues marginally, but it remains the second most important suorce of information on European integration. 40 30 2022, TV 20 to decline 10 0 Does not know/ Does not want to answer 0 0 0 PUBLIC EVENTS None of the above TV RADIO INTERNET PRINT Something else 2022 2023 2024 43.1 40.5 40.3 1.1 1.4 3.5 49.7 50.7 48.4 2.5 2.2 2.3 1.6 1.6 2 0 0 0 2 3.6 3.5
THE LARGEST DONOR OF FUNDS TO BIH IS...? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 11.8 11.9 17.1 Six out of ten people in BiH believe the EU is the biggest donor. 7.8 6.0 3.6 14.0 14.3 20.9 4.0 7.0 The response Turkey remained at the level of 2023, while the percentage for response Russia increased by 4.3% compared to 2023. 4.9 61.0 59.4 56.3 Unlike in previous years when the respondents had a choice to answer "Japan", this year "China" replaced this donor country and 7% of people believe that China is the biggest donor of funds to BiH. 2022 2023 2024 European Union
ACCORDING TO YOUR ESTIMATES, WHEN WILL BIH JOIN THE EU? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 0 0 0 39.6% of people are optimistic stating that BiH could join the EU in a maximum of 10 years. 24.4 25.9 35.3 The percentage of people who believe this could happen in the next 15 years is increasing, while the percentages who believe it will happen in the next 20 years (-0.9%) and never (-1.5%) are decreasing slightly. 13.6 14.5 14.6 22.4 19.3 15.4 40.3 39.6 34.7 2022 2023 2024 Within a maximum of 10 years Never Within a maximum of 15 years Does not know/ Does not want to answer Within a maximum of 20 years
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO BIH'S EUROPEAN PATH, IN YOUR OPINION? N2022=1.200, N2023=1.200, N2024=1.200 100 90 36.2 80 The upward trend in the opinion that the European path of BiH has no alternative continued this year. Although the divided last year, this year 53.9% of people of BiH think that the European path has no alternative (53.9% vs. 45.4% vs 48.0%). 44.8 45.8 70 60 opinions were 50 40 53.9 45.4 48.0 30 20 10 9.9 8.8 7.2 0 2022 44.8 48.0 7.2 2023 45.8 45.4 8.8 2024 36.2 53.9 9.9 Yes No Refuses to respond
