Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Republic Institute for Statistics, Street Zelenih Beretki 26, Sarajevo.

2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1948, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991. The present description relates to the 1991 population census (conducted on 31 March).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole country.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages.

4. Reference period:

The time of the census.

5. Main topics:

(a) Total population, by sex and age: yes

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group: yes

(c) Industry: yes

(d) Occupation: yes

(e) Status in employment: yes

(f) Educational level: yes

(g) Hours of work: no

(h) Other characteristics: yes

Re (a): The age was defined in terms of age at last birthday.

Re (h): The census also collected information on frequency of returning to the place of residence from the place of work or from the school.

6. Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprised all persons aged 15 and over who were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. All members of the armed forces were included.

(b) Employment

Considered as employed were all persons who answered (1) at the question: Occupation? 1) In employment or self-employed (own or family farm or craft establishment, etc.); 2) Work interrupted due to military service, serving a prison sentence or seeking a new job through the employment office; 3) Seeking a job through the employment office for the first time. Working students with a part-time job were excluded from the definition.

It is reported that the following categories were included:

  1. persons doing unpaid work in a family firm or business;
  2. persons engaged in the production of goods for own consumption;
  3. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  4. seasonal workers not at work during the off-season;
  5. regular members of the armed forces;
  6. conscripts for military/civilian service;
  7. persons temporarily laid-off (with formal job attachment).
Only persons belonging to category (i) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed were all persons without employment who were seeking a job through employment offices. There was no question on the availability to work. Students seeking work, future starts and discouraged workers were excluded from the definition. It is reported that persons temporarily laid-off (without formal job attachment) were included in the definition.

7. Classifications used:

Both employed and unemployed persons were classified by occupation and by educational level. Only employed persons were classified by industry and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

For coding this variable, 14 main groups of the national classification were used. No links were established to ISIC.

(b) Occupation

For coding occupation, 10 groups of the national classification were used. No links were established to ISCO.

(c) Status in employment

For coding this variable, five groups were used: employee; owner/co-owner of enterprise; owner/co-owner of craft establishment with workers employed; own account worker or worker using help of unpaid family workers; unpaid family worker.

(d) Level of education

For coding educational level, 5 questions were asked to the respondents: Highest level of completed education?; Full title of highest completed school (secondary school, college or university)?; School currently attending?; Where do you attend school?; and How often do you return from work or school to the address of your permanent residence?. For coding educational level, 7 main groups of the national classification were used. No links were established to ISCED.

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

Regarding the economic activity, two questions have been added:

9. Publication of the census results:

The final census results have been released in October 1993. The title of the publication is Ethnic composition of population (bulletin no. 233).

The organization responsible for this publication is the Republic Institute for Statistics, Street Zelenih Beretki 26, Sarajevo.