🇧🇦 Europe

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Employment-protection data from 2 official sources — composite scores, notice periods, severance, and dismissal rules.

B-READY 2025 OECD EPL
2.52 OECD EPL strictness (0–6)
OECD EPL →

Bosnia and Herzegovina — the verdict

Bosnia and Herzegovina scores 2.52/6.0 on the OECD employment-protection index — above the OECD average of about 2.0.

2.52/6
OECD EPL strictness
69.7/100
B-READY labor quality

Sources: World Bank B-READY 2025 · OECD EPL. Higher = stronger statutory protection.

Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks among the more protective OECD economies, with an overall EPL strictness score of 2.52/6.0 — substantially above the OECD average of about 2.0. B-READY 2025 labor regulation quality is 69.7/100.

What the Data Shows for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in Europe, appears in 2 of the three employment-protection datasets tracked on PlainEmploy (ILO EPLex, World Bank B-READY 2025, and OECD EPL). The World Bank B-READY 2025 overall labor score stands at 69.7/100, blending regulation quality, public services, and process efficiency. The OECD EPL overall strictness index is 2.52/6.0, where higher values indicate stricter rules on individual and collective dismissal.

In practice, the World Bank estimates a full dismissal process takes about 3.9 weeks from start to finish. Third-party approval for an individual dismissal is not required, which materially affects employer flexibility.

Labor disputes take an average of 0.0 months to resolve through formal channels. Roughly 7.5% of firms surveyed by the World Bank report experiencing labor disputes, signaling how frequently these rules are exercised. Employer social contributions equal 0.0% of salary, a meaningful cost layer on top of wages. 6 direct country-vs-country comparisons are available below, letting you see how Bosnia and Herzegovina stacks up against peers on the same metrics.

These figures draw on three different measurement traditions, so read each one on its own terms before comparing across countries. The ILO EPLex composite condenses statutory termination rules into a single index from zero to one, where higher numbers mean stronger legal protection against dismissal. The World Bank Business Ready 2025 labor score runs from zero to one hundred and blends the quality of regulation with how well public services and dispute processes actually work in practice. The OECD employment protection index uses a zero to six scale and only covers member economies, but it offers the longest historical series, which makes it the better choice for tracking reform over time. A country can score strictly on paper yet still process dismissals quickly, so always weigh the statutory index against the practical estimates. Where a country appears in fewer than all three datasets, treat the missing measures as not yet collected rather than as a sign of weak protection, and revisit this page when new releases are published because indicators can shift year over year.

Data Sources

2

ILO / WB / OECD coverage

Region

Europe

Geographic grouping

Latest Year

2025

Most recent indicator update

ILO EPLex
No data available
B-READY 2025
69.7
out of 100 · Rank #30
OECD EPL
2.52
out of 6.0 · Rank #25


B-READY 2025

Labor Regulation Quality

Regulation Quality
84.8
out of 100
Public Services
73.7
out of 100
Efficiency
50.7
out of 100
Notice Required
Yes
Severance Required
No
Weeks to Dismiss
3.9
Weeks Severance
5.6
Firms in Disputes
7.5%
Months to Resolve
0.0
Social Contributions
0.0%
3rd Party for Dismissal
Not required

Source: World Bank Business Ready 2025 World Bank Business Ready 2025 Pillar scores are 0-100 (higher = better regulation quality)


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the employment protections in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Bosnia and Herzegovina has employment protection data from 2 sources. World Bank B-READY labor regulation quality: 69.7/100. OECD EPL overall: 2.52/6.0.

How does Bosnia and Herzegovina compare to the OECD average?

Bosnia and Herzegovina's OECD EPL score is 2.52/6.0 (OECD average is approximately 2.3). This indicates stronger-than-average employment protections.

What notice period and severance pay does Bosnia and Herzegovina require?

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, notice is legally mandated. severance is not mandated.

What data sources cover Bosnia and Herzegovina's employment laws?

Bosnia and Herzegovina is covered by 2 sources: the World Bank Business Ready 2025 report (labor regulation quality, dismissal costs, and dispute resolution); the OECD Employment Protection Legislation index (aggregate strictness scores from 1990 onward). Each source measures different aspects of employment protection, providing a multi-dimensional view of labor regulation.

How strict are dismissal protections in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Third-party approval for individual dismissal is not required. The dismissal process takes approximately 3.9 weeks.

How does Bosnia and Herzegovina handle labor disputes?

Labor disputes in Bosnia and Herzegovina take an average of 0.0 months to resolve. Approximately 7.5% of firms report experiencing labor disputes. Employer social contributions represent 0.0% of salary.

Related

Data sourced from official OECD, ILO, and World Bank employment-protection datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEmploy Editorial

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from OECD, ILO, and World Bank labor market databases. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.