This publication presents the findings of a study on the socio-economic position of LGBTI people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on education, employment, labour rights, financial and housing conditions, and quality of life. Conducted in 2026, the research included 121 LGBTI people from five regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 1,000 respondents from the general population. Some of the findings were compared with those of a study conducted by the Sarajevo Open Centre in 2020.

The findings reveal a significant gap between legally guaranteed rights and the everyday experiences of LGBTI people. Despite the relatively high educational attainment of respondents, discrimination, precarious employment, and a lack of institutional support continue to pose serious barriers to their socio-economic equality.

As many as 63.6% of LGBTI respondents perceive the labour market in Bosnia and Herzegovina as inaccessible to LGBTI people, while 67% lack trust in institutions responsible for protecting labour rights. Negative workplace experiences include inappropriate comments, exclusion, harassment, and intimidation. At the same time, attitudes among the general population indicate that prejudice against LGBTI people remains a significant barrier to their equal participation in the labour market.

The research also highlights challenges in education, where LGBTI topics remain underrepresented, while discrimination and a lack of support can affect students’ ability to continue their education. Financial and housing insecurity further hinder independence and quality of life.

The publication provides recommendations for strengthening institutional protection, ensuring consistent implementation of anti-discrimination legislation, developing inclusive employment and education policies, and improving support services for LGBTI people.

The findings provide an important foundation for developing public policies and practices that contribute to greater equality for LGBTI people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to the sampling methods used to recruit LGBTI respondents, the results cannot be statistically generalised to the entire LGBTI population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Author and compiler: Zlatiborka Popov-Momčinović

Editor: Darko Pandurević

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The project “Work That Works for All: Empowering LGBTI People and Engaging Employers for Inclusive Labour Markets”, implemented by Sarajevo Open Centre, is supported through the “Working Safe: Socio-economic Inclusion of the LGBTQI+ Community in the Western Balkans and Türkiye” programme. The programme is implemented by ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, in partnership with Queer Montenegro, Tuzla Open Center (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Open Mind Spectrum Albania, Center for Social Group Development (Kosovo), Coalition Margins (North Macedonia), Izađi (Serbia), and Kaos GL (Türkiye). This project is funded by the European Union.

This material was produced with the assistance of ERA and the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Sarajevo Open Centre, as the implementing organisation, and do not necessarily reflect the views of ERA or the European Union.