The quiet return of the diaspora – why more and more Bosnians are moving back home

Photo: Hamzeh Shatnawi / Shutterstock

Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks among the countries with the largest diaspora populations in the world. Around 34 per cent of people born in the country now live abroad – placing Bosnia second on the global list, just behind Guyana and ahead of Albania. According to the World Diaspora Association, an estimated two million Bosnians are spread across more than 50 countries.

At first glance, these figures suggest that Bosnia’s future lies primarily outside its borders. But increasingly, voices from the diaspora are speaking of a return – not only for nostalgic reasons, but as a result of a sober assessment of opportunities and quality of life. While many Bosnians abroad still aim to build a stable life in countries like Germany or Austria, a growing minority is beginning to ask: is it worth coming back?

“As an honest man, it’s hard to make a living here”

One example of this shift in mindset is Miralem Hodžić. Fifteen years ago, he moved to Germany and built a successful construction company employing 30 people – a textbook success story of the post-Yugoslav guest worker generation. But today, Hodžić is disillusioned: “The political climate is toxic, and the rise of the far-right AfD worries me. In construction, it all comes down to price – and as an honest man, it’s hard to make a living. I don’t want to cut corners,” says the 50-year-old. His decision has already been made: “I’m going back. In Bosnia, my experience is valued, and I am respected.”

Hodžić is not an isolated case. Increasingly, entrepreneurs, tradespeople and skilled workers with experience and capital are beginning to question whether Germany is still the “land of unlimited opportunity” it once was.

A recent study by Germany’s Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found that 26 per cent of migrants in the country have considered leaving within the past year. While 57 per cent want to stay long term, factors such as political dissatisfaction, high taxes, excessive bureaucracy, and rising living costs are pushing many to explore alternatives.

For many Bosnians, returning home is not only emotionally appealing but economically rational. Those who own a home or land in Bosnia avoid high rental costs and can benefit from a gradually expanding local market that is in urgent need of skilled workers.

Bosnia is changing – slowly, but noticeably

In recent years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has made small but meaningful progress. The healthcare sector, in particular, has seen improvements. Private clinics and insurance providers now offer significantly faster access to care than in Germany. “In Germany, I wait six months to see a cardiologist. In Sarajevo, I get an appointment in two weeks – or in just two days for an eye specialist,” says Hodžić.

Wages are also improving. While many sectors used to barely survive, recent investments in IT, energy and tourism have created new job opportunities. Ironically, Bosnia is now experiencing a shortage of skilled labour – a problem long associated with countries like Germany or Austria.

Despite rising intentions to return, the Bosnian diaspora remains a vital economic force. Remittances from abroad account for over 14 per cent of Bosnia’s GDP – roughly 2.5 billion euros per year. According to Bosnia’s Central Bank, 480 million euros were transferred to the country in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

A look at Croatia shows the potential of these remittances. There, transfers from abroad account for 7.2 per cent of GDP – the highest figure in the EU. In comparison, Germany stands at just 0.5 per cent. While Croatia is increasingly channelling this money into housing, startups and infrastructure through targeted programmes, Bosnia still lacks a clear strategy.

Croatia supports returnees

A striking example comes from Croatia. In 2025, the government launched a public funding call supporting projects involving the return of Croatians to Bosnia and Herzegovina with up to 80,000 euros per project. The aim is to improve living conditions for returnees by investing in infrastructure, social projects and small business development. “We want to create sustainable structures – not just symbolic gestures,” said the Croatian Minister Branko Bačić. Croatia thus underscores the strategic importance of its diaspora – a model Bosnia might learn from.

Bosnian policymakers have long neglected their diaspora. There is no dedicated ministry for the diaspora, nor are there targeted incentive programmes or accessible credit schemes for returnees. The banking sector, too, lacks innovation in this area.

A glimmer of hope lies in a recently opened Diaspora Office in the Sarajevo Canton, which aims to improve ties with Bosnians abroad and assist them with investments or return plans. Whether this initiative will evolve into a true driver of return or remain symbolic remains to be seen.

“Vrati se kući” – a return campaign

A different approach is being taken by the grassroots initiative “Pokret Snaga Domovine” (“Movement for the Strength of the Homeland”). Their campaign “Vrati se kući” (“Come Back Home”) features large billboards along borders and highways urging the diaspora to return and help rebuild the country.

“Bosnia has been facing an emigration wave for years. We believe it’s time to stop the trend,” says Ahmed Husagić, the movement’s chairman. “The quality of life in Bosnia is slowly improving. And life in the West isn’t as easy as it was ten years ago – rising rents, inflation and political uncertainty all play a role.”

Property and tourism as key factors

One important advantage for many Bosnians is real estate ownership. Whether homes by the sea, mountain apartments or rural land – these properties are increasingly becoming the basis for business ventures, particularly in the eco and ethno-tourism sectors, where Bosnia holds great potential.

Returning can mean lower living expenses and, in some cases, a stable income from existing real estate projects. However, challenges remain – notably the recognition of foreign degrees and qualifications. The process of diploma nostrification can take six to nine months. Labour unions also stress the need to improve working conditions and wages in order to retain returnees on a long-term basis.

In short, returning to Bosnia is no longer a mere romantic idea – for many, it has become a realistic option. Rising living costs and political tensions in Germany now meet a slowly stabilizing Bosnia. The country may still be far from European standards, but its small steps forward are beginning to resonate. The story of Miralem Hodžić shows that returning home is increasingly a decision taken in earnest.

Erdin Kadunić is a freelance journalist and Balkans expert with a particular interest in the NATO and EU integration processes of Bosnia-Herzegovina

New Eastern Europe is a reader supported publication. Please support us and help us reach our goal of $10,000! We are nearly there. Donate by clicking on the button below.

Balkans, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian society, diaspora, migration, remittances