SARAJEVO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Around 69.9 percent of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) would vote in favor of European Union (EU) membership if a referendum were held, according to a public opinion survey released on Friday. However, the rate has declined by 1.3 percentage points compared to last year.
The survey, conducted in June 2025 by the Directorate for European Integration, sampled 1,200 respondents across the country. Support for accession is strongest in the Federation of BiH (82.9 percent), followed by the Brcko District (71.3 percent), and lowest in Republika Srpska (46.1 percent).
Among the supporters, respondents most commonly cited freedom of movement, peace, and the rule of law as key benefits. However, 36.6 percent of opponents expressed concern over increased living costs and taxes. Others mentioned fears of losing cultural identity, increased emigration, or a growing bureaucratic burden.
Skepticism about the EU's intentions also emerged in the findings: 38.1 percent of respondents believe the EU is primarily interested in BiH's natural resources, while 30.9 percent believe the integration process is hindered by political interference.
Looking ahead, 34 percent believe BiH could join the EU within a decade, and 58.4 percent recognized the EU as BiH's largest financial donor, the survey noted.
BiH is made up of two autonomous entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a majority of Bosniaks and Croats, and Republika Srpska, with a predominantly Serbian population. The Brcko District operates as a self-governing administrative unit under the joint sovereignty of both entities. The two entities have coexisted and functioned under a weak central government.
