When Bosnian sheep farmer Fikret Puhalo fled his home in war-torn Yugoslavia in 1992, little did he know that his village of Socice would face a drastic decline over the next few decades. What was once a bustling community of 400 people, two shops, and a school, now stands nearly deserted with only 15 residents left.
The exodus from Socice is not unique, as many rural areas in Eastern and Central Europe face similar demographic challenges. In Bosnia, a combination of low birth rates and high emigration has led to a significant population decline, even in areas that have not experienced conflict in recent years.
In the Republika Srpska, a Serb-dominated region of Bosnia, concerns about dwindling populations have been used by nationalist politicians to stoke ethnic tensions and push for greater autonomy. The situation is so dire that some villages, like Ulog, have seen their populations drop from thousands to just a handful of residents.
The lack of accurate population data in Bosnia has only exacerbated the problem, with ethnonationalist politicians wary of conducting a new census that could potentially shift the balance of power among the country’s three main ethnic groups. Despite efforts to encourage higher birth rates and stem emigration, many young people in Bosnia feel that their future lies elsewhere.
As the country grapples with political instability and economic challenges, residents like Eldin Hadzic, a mechanic who has already fled Bosnia once, are considering leaving again in search of better opportunities abroad. The sense of hopelessness and despair among many Bosnians is palpable, with concerns about the country’s future overshadowing any sense of optimism.