SITUATION ANALYSIS ON THE POSITION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Highlights

Every child in Bosnia and Herzegovina has guaranteed rights and carries enormous potential. Fulfilling these rights and unlocking this potential is a shared responsibility of all of us. The Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents highlights the key obstacles on this path, as well as indicators of the direction we need to take.

Many children face barriers to development from the very beginning. Only 43.4 percent of children are enrolled in preschool education. This is one of the lowest rates in Europe and the first barrier we must remove.

The first and most critical period of life is also concerning. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding are alarmingly low, especially in Brčko District, where only 18.5 percent of mothers exclusively breastfeed. Children have the right to much higher standards.

And although there has been progress, it is not enough. The MMR vaccination rate is still far below the safety threshold of 95 percent. The right to health of these children is seriously compromised.

A healthy start in life is the foundation of a healthy society. That is why we must work together to expand access to preschool education, support mothers, and increase immunization. Investing in the earliest years is not a cost – it is the smartest investment in the future of our entire community.

The education system does not enable all children to acquire applicable life skills. More than half of students do not reach the basic level of knowledge, and 37 percent lack even basic digital skills. In a time of rapid technological development, this represents a major barrier to further progress.

And when they finish schooling, they face a reality in which only one in three young people has the opportunity for an internship or practical learning. This number has not changed for years, and the consequences are felt by young people, employers, and society as a whole.

It is therefore not surprising that only 23 percent of students are satisfied with the quality of education. They feel that the system is lagging behind their needs.

We must prepare children for a world that is changing faster than ever. This means equipping them with knowledge and skills for the future. It means modernizing teaching, investing in teachers, and, most importantly, enabling young people to be the architects of their own future.

Growing up is often challenging. Nearly 40 percent of adolescents struggle with anxiety and depression, and more than half seek support that they cannot find. Their silence is our collective call to action.

Every child has the right to grow up in a family. Unfortunately, almost half of children without parental care in Bosnia and Herzegovina still live in institutions, deprived of the safety that a family environment provides.

Even basic financial support to families is not equal. The amount of child allowance depends on where a child lives, creating inequality at the most fundamental level.

On the path of societal development, we must not overlook any child. We have a duty to ensure access to mental health support, to empower families in their role, and to build a social protection system that offers every child safety and the opportunity to thrive.

These are not just numbers and percentages. These are the lives of children who are waiting. We are all responsible. By building strong foundations, skills, and security, we build the future together. For every child. UNICEF, Bosnia and Herzegovina.