Many young Bosnians are educated today at universities. However, a large number of young, well-educated Bosnians leave their home country every year.
Today, only 53% of the country’s population are living in the country. More than 2 million Bosnian citizens are living in other European countries.
40% of newly graduated students are unemployed in the Western Balkans – young women more than men. Extensive corruption and environmental degradation, the lack of foreign investment and an uncertainty in the region drives the relocation. It is mainly highly educated people who leave the country, which leads to a massive drainage of skills.
An example:
TheTuzla University, which today has 13 faculties with just under 9 000 students. The region has high unemployment among academics. At present, there are a large number of unemployed academics, all with at least one university degree and good English skills:
• Age 20 – 24: 326 men / 239 women
• Age 25 – 29: 2 056 men / 1,469 women
• Age 30 – 34: 1 848 men / 1 339 women
There is a great need for new initiatives that can lead to that more young, well-educated Bosnians are choosing to stay in their home country. New jobs that can be created in cooperation with, for example, Swedish companies would contribute to creating future beliefs in their own country. For the individuals themselves and their families and create good examples of how this can be achieved without corruption.
Reduced ”brain-drain”, ie more young, well-educated Bosnians stay in their home country with their skills and contribute to the development of society, will give greater stability throughout the region.
