Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
This Euro SDMX Metadata Structure is used for the purpose of quality reporting. The definition of the quality concepts and guidelines are described in the European Statistical System Handbook for Quality Reports.
Data on births and deaths are conducted according to a methodology that is in line with UN recommendations (UN Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System Revision 2) , Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 205/2014. Data are collected on registered cases of births and deaths in the registry books in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3.2. Classification system
International Standard Classification of Occupations ISCO-08.
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems – 10th revision (ICD-10).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Population estimates are based on data from the most recent census adjusted by the components of population change that occured since the last census.
In order to determine the total number of inhabitants on the last census in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the concept of „usually resident population“ was used, according to which a person is considered to be an inhabitant of the place in which she/he alone (in case of a one-person household) or with the members of her/his household lives, irrespective of where the person has her/his residence registered. According to the definition of the place of usual residence, the usually resident population includes persons who live in that place continuously for at least 12 months before the critical census moment, as well as persons who live in that place for less than 12 months but with an intention to stay there for at least one year.
Live birth is the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, which, after such separation, breaths or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movements of voluntary muscles. If a product of such a births dies, it is first registered as live-born and then as died.
A dead person is every live-born person in which there is a permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place, without capability of resuscitation. Stillbirths are not included here.
3.5. Statistical unit
Population, live births and deaths.
3.6. Statistical population
Statistical population is total population, live births and deaths.
3.7. Reference area
Bosnia and Herzegovina
3.8. Coverage - Time
Total population 2013-2024
Total live births 1996-2024
Total deaths 1996-2024
3.9. Base period
Not applicable
Number of population, live births and deaths.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December).
The reference period for live births and deaths data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Law on Statistics of BiH (Official Gazette of BiH 26/04 and 42/04), Multi-annual statistical programs and annual work plans of BiH.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
National Statistics Act defines the role and co-operation of Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and authorised producers concerning the organisation, preparation, execution of statistical programmes and reporting about them as well as respect of the fundamental principles, data dissemination and international co-operation.Specific agreements are signed with data producing agencies, determining the procedures, deadlines etc. regarding data sharing and transmission.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The confidentiality of statistical data is regulated by law, and the staff conducting statistical research has the obligation to protect confidentiality on the same legal basis. The Law on Statistics of BiH (Official Gazette of BiH 26/04 and 42/04 - Chapter XI - Articles 23-29) establishes the principle of confidentiality as one of the main principles.
The Agency for Statistics of BiH distributes statistics in accordance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice, and in particular with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The document "Ordinance on the protection of statistical data in the Agency for Statistics" lists the procedures for ensuring confidentiality during collection, processing and dissemination - which includes protocols for ensuring individual data to be accessed, rules for defining confidential cells in output tables and procedures for the detection and prevention of subsequent disclosures, as well as access to microdata for research purposes.
8.1. Release calendar
At the end of December each year, BHAS publishes a Publishing Calendar with the exact date and time of publication of statistics for the following year.
The principle that all users have equal access to statistical data on an impartial basis is set out in Article 8, paragraph 2, item h. , and Article 19, paragraph 2 of the Law on Statistics of BiH and BHAS are consistently implemented in practice.
Total population: annually
Births and deaths: provisional data are published quarterly, final data annually.
BHAS follows the recommendations on organization and quality management given in the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP) and implements the guidelines given in the European Statistical System Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). More, regarding quality assurance, all procedures that describe the quality policy in BHAS can be found in the document: Quality Management Policy and Program in the Agency for Statistics of BiH.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
No information available.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The key users of data from the statistical survey are:
1. State and other public administration institutions such as: Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, Directorate for European Integration at the Council of Ministers of BiH, Directorate for Economic Planning of BiH at the Council of Ministers of BiH,
2. Academic and business community,
3. General public,
4. Foreign users: Eurostat, UNSD,WHO.
5. Media.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The Agency for Statistics of BiH periodically conducts the User Satisfaction Survey and the results are available on the official website of the Agency. No special measurement of user satisfaction with the birth and death survey is performed.
12.3. Completeness
Statistical data are fully produced in accordance with the plan and program of official statistics.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Live births
Since the data on births expressed in two surveys (first results and final results of data on births), which means that each case is recorded in the survey First results and then processed in the framework of survey on births, it is considered that the information on the final number of live births for the reference year is reliable and accurate.
Deaths Since the data on deaths expressed in two surveys (first results and final results of data on deaths), which means that each case is recorded in the survey First results and then processed in the framework of survey on deaths, it is considered that the information on the final number of deaths for the reference year is reliable and accurate.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
The Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina publishes preliminary data for births and deaths in March for previous year. Data for total population and final detailed data for births and deaths publishes in October for previous year.
14.2. Punctuality
Statistics on population and vital events are published in accordance with the pre-determined calendar of publications.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
There are no problems with comparability within the country and with EU countries.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data for live births and deaths are comparable from 1996.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
There is no relevant surveys conducted by another organization.
15.4. Coherence - internal
All data are consistent.
The population is based on data from the last census adjusted by the components of population change.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
There was no need to revise the data.
17.2. Data revision - practice
No data revision is performed.
18.1. Source data
The source of data for births and deaths were selected according to the methodological recommendations. The data sources for this survey are registers book of births and deaths in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annually.
18.3. Data collection
Data for the statistical survey on births and deaths are collected through forms that reporting units fill out and submit to statistical institutions.
Data obtained from the entity statistical institutes and branches of the Agency in the Brčko District, the Agency for Statistics of BiH publishes in aggregate form.
18.4. Data validation
Data validity and reliability checks are performed. Data authentication involves checking the accuracy of the data and estimating all possible errors related to the data. Logical controls are done after data entry.
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
Without special comments in relation to the given descriptions.
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
This Euro SDMX Metadata Structure is used for the purpose of quality reporting. The definition of the quality concepts and guidelines are described in the European Statistical System Handbook for Quality Reports.
Data on births and deaths are conducted according to a methodology that is in line with UN recommendations (UN Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System Revision 2) , Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 205/2014. Data are collected on registered cases of births and deaths in the registry books in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
25 June 2025
Population estimates are based on data from the most recent census adjusted by the components of population change that occured since the last census.
In order to determine the total number of inhabitants on the last census in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the concept of „usually resident population“ was used, according to which a person is considered to be an inhabitant of the place in which she/he alone (in case of a one-person household) or with the members of her/his household lives, irrespective of where the person has her/his residence registered. According to the definition of the place of usual residence, the usually resident population includes persons who live in that place continuously for at least 12 months before the critical census moment, as well as persons who live in that place for less than 12 months but with an intention to stay there for at least one year.
Live birth is the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, which, after such separation, breaths or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movements of voluntary muscles. If a product of such a births dies, it is first registered as live-born and then as died.
A dead person is every live-born person in which there is a permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place, without capability of resuscitation. Stillbirths are not included here.
Population, live births and deaths.
Statistical population is total population, live births and deaths.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December).
The reference period for live births and deaths data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.
Live births
Since the data on births expressed in two surveys (first results and final results of data on births), which means that each case is recorded in the survey First results and then processed in the framework of survey on births, it is considered that the information on the final number of live births for the reference year is reliable and accurate.
Deaths Since the data on deaths expressed in two surveys (first results and final results of data on deaths), which means that each case is recorded in the survey First results and then processed in the framework of survey on deaths, it is considered that the information on the final number of deaths for the reference year is reliable and accurate.
Number of population, live births and deaths.
Not applicable.
The source of data for births and deaths were selected according to the methodological recommendations. The data sources for this survey are registers book of births and deaths in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Total population: annually
Births and deaths: provisional data are published quarterly, final data annually.
The Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina publishes preliminary data for births and deaths in March for previous year. Data for total population and final detailed data for births and deaths publishes in October for previous year.
There are no problems with comparability within the country and with EU countries.
The data for live births and deaths are comparable from 1996.
