Bosnia begins first census since 1991
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 1 October 2013 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Bosnia begins first census since 1991, 1 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5261040f5.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 01, 2013
By RFE/RL's Balkan Service
Bosnia's first census since 1991 starts today.
SARAJEVO – Bosnia this week begins its first official census since 1991.
The population count is a highly sensitive issue since it will reveal the country's ethnic makeup following the 1992-95 war. It could have ramifications for the delicate power-sharing arrangement under the Dayton peace accords that established Bosnia's three "constituent" peoples: Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats.
Under the 1991 census, Bosniaks, then categorized as Muslims, made up 43.5 percent, Serbs 31.2 percent, and Croats 17.4 percent. For months, political and religious leaders of the three groups have been urging their respective communities to declare their ethnicity in the current census.
The current census was originally planned for 2012 but was postponed amid disagreements among Bosnia's ethnically based political parties. It could take a year or more for final results to be issued.
With reporting by Reuters
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