Updated
Overview
Serbia has 2.1 times the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina: 6.55 million people against 3.14 million (2025).
Serbia's economy is 3.1 times the size of Bosnia and Herzegovina's, at $99.95B versus $32.60B.
Per person, Serbia is the wealthier of the two: $15,262 against $10,382 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Serbia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $99.95B | $32.60B | 2025 | $89.08B / $28.34B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $15,262 | $10,382 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.0% | Higher: 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.9% | 6.1% | 2025 / 2023 | 4.7% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.1% | 11.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 45 | 40 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $1,559 | $925 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $696 | $346 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.55 million | 3.14 million | 2025 | 6.65 million / 3.65 million |
| Population growth | -0.6% | -0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.4 yrs | 45.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 53% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 88% | 86% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 77,474 km² | 51,209 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 84.5/km² | 61.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 42 Mt | Lower: 19 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 6.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.32B | $215.97M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 32,000 | 11,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.0% for Serbia, 2.1% for Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Bosnia and Herzegovina runs the hotter price environment: 6.1% inflation versus 3.9%.
Average monthly earnings favour Serbia: $1,559 against $925 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 44.4 (Serbia) and 45.7 (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Bosnia and Herzegovina (78.0 vs 76.0).
Geography
By land area, Serbia is 51% larger than Bosnia and Herzegovina: 77,474 km² versus 51,209 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Serbia spends 11 times as much on defence as Bosnia and Herzegovina: $2.32B versus $215.97M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Serbia carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Serbia fields the larger armed forces: 32,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Serbia bigger than Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Serbia is larger by land area. Serbia covers 77,474 km² while Bosnia and Herzegovina covers 51,209 km², so Serbia is 51% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Serbia has the larger population: 6.55 million versus 3.14 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Serbia richer than Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Serbia is richer: $15,262 against $10,382. Total GDP tells the same story: $99.95B for Serbia versus $32.60B for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Who spends more on their military, Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Serbia spends more: $2.32B versus $215.97M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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