Updated
Overview
Bosnia and Herzegovina has 5.0 times the population of Montenegro: 3.14 million people against 623,129 (2025).
Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy is 3.5 times the size of Montenegro's, at $32.60B versus $9.23B.
Per person, Montenegro is the wealthier of the two: $14,817 against $10,382 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Montenegro | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $32.60B | $9.23B | 2025 | $28.34B / $8.07B |
| GDP per capita | $10,382 | Higher: $14,817 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.1% | Higher: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 6.1% | Lower: 3.9% | 2023 / 2025 | — / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 11.0% | 13.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 40 | 42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $925 | Higher: $930 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $346 | Higher: $757 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 3.14 million | 623,129 | 2025 | 3.65 million / 599,849 |
| Population growth | -0.8% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.7 yrs | 40.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 53% | 66% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 51,209 km² | 13,812 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 61.3/km² | 45.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 19 Mt | Lower: 2.38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.1 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $215.97M | $150.03M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 11,000 | 12,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Montenegro is growing faster: 2.7% annual GDP growth versus 2.1%.
Bosnia and Herzegovina runs the hotter price environment: 6.1% inflation versus 3.9%.
Average monthly earnings favour Montenegro: $930 against $925 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Montenegro is the younger society: median age 40.0 versus 45.7 years.
Montenegro is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 53%.
Geography
By land area, Bosnia and Herzegovina is 3.7 times the size of Montenegro: 51,209 km² versus 13,812 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Bosnia and Herzegovina spends about 45% more on defence than Montenegro: $215.97M versus $150.03M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Montenegro carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Montenegro fields the larger armed forces: 12,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bosnia and Herzegovina bigger than Montenegro?
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is larger by land area. Bosnia and Herzegovina covers 51,209 km² while Montenegro covers 13,812 km², so Bosnia and Herzegovina is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro?
- Bosnia and Herzegovina has the larger population: 3.14 million versus 623,129 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bosnia and Herzegovina richer than Montenegro?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Montenegro is richer: $14,817 against $10,382. Total GDP tells a different story: $32.60B for Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $9.23B for Montenegro.
- Who spends more on their military, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro?
- Bosnia and Herzegovina spends more: $215.97M versus $150.03M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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