The analysis of perceptions and attitudes related to ageing in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The problem of an ageing population has only recently gained attention in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). Adequate pension reforms cannot be expected if most citizens are unaware of the issues or even oppose the reforms necessary. The primary research is based on opinion survey data collected in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBIH) with a special focus on the fact that the ageing of the population might pose a problem for pension systems in the future. The results show that more than three quarters of the respondents are aware of this problem in FBIH. The logit regression model shows that pensioners, respondents who prefer the primary role of government, those with higher levels of education and reported living standard are more likely to recognise this issue. Improvements in the effi ciency of pension funds, reduction in public spending and active measures aimed at the prevention of emigration from BIH are the solutions most widely recognised.

Bosnia and Herzogovina

“…Additionally, a lack of official data has delayed this process. The war left a drastic demographic legacy, with a fall in the total population from 4.3 million to the current 3.7 million (Pijalović et al 2018). Bosnia and Herzegovina, unlike other transition countries, entered the transition phase war torn and with significant human and infrastructural losses.…”

“…A person not involved in the compulsory insurance system can pay voluntary insurance (there is no legal obligation to do so) under certain conditions. Voluntary pension funds fall into Pillar III of pension insurance, a voluntary component of the pension system (Bošnjak 2016;Pijalović et al 2018).…”

“…Legislation created an increase that applied to 54,785 pensioners whose pensions increased by 10%, and another 53,454 who received an increase of 5%. Another outcome of the reform was that the deficit of the pension insurance fund was reduced and now stands at approximately 526,631 million euro (Pijalović et al 2018).…”

“…Average pensions in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and RS in December 2016 amounted to approximately 189 and 175 euro per month, respectively. From 2010 to 2016, the average values of pensions have been mostly stagnant while the number of pension beneficiaries has been increasing (Pijalović et al 2018).…”

“…In the late twentieth century and especially in the early twentyfirst century the proportion of older people in the national population increased. Yet, recommended pension reforms cannot be expected if most citizens are unaware of the issues or if many oppose the reforms presumed to be necessary (Pijalović et al 2018). This chapter discusses the country's socio-economic context and its pension system and relevant legislation.…”