Sarajevo, September 30, 2019 - The state of education, science, human resources development and the labor market in the Federation of BiH was discussed today during the fifth workshop for the creation of the Development Strategy of Federation of BiH 2021-2027, organized by the team of the Federal Institute for Development Programming.
Researches show that education has a positive impact on labor market outcomes. Education has a positive impact on individuals, employers, the economy and society as whole. Education complements and enhances the skills of individuals, while professionals are easier to employ, more successful and flexible in the labor market, and earn higher incomes. Higher levels of knowledge and skills ensure higher levels of productivity, entrepreneurship, and consequently higher rates of economic growth, higher tax revenues, etc. Indirect impacts of education on the labor market are manifested through improved health and well-being, increased self-confidence and the ability to organize life. This is important for satisfaction and commitment at work, healthier workforce, and more functional labor markets and social cohesion.
The World Bank's Human Capital Index 2018, that measures "the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain at the age of 18, given the risks of illness and poor education prevalent in the country where they live", it ranked BiH as 58th out of 157 countries. BiH is in a worse position than neighboring countries in terms of the average number of years of formal education: 9.7 for BiH is 1.5 years less than stated in the report for Croatia and Serbia.
During the workshop, representatives of key stakeholders in the fields of education, science, human resources development and the labor market (Government of the Federation, Federal and Cantonal Ministries, institutes and agencies for education and employment, ...) assisted by Prof. Muamer Halilbašić, discussed key problems, challenges and potentials in this area.
After this, as the other 12 workshops, during which analyzes of the situation in key areas of socio-economic life of the Federation of BiH will be elaborated, follows the organization of a block of workshops related to definition of the vision of the Federation of BiH Development Strategy 2021-2027, strategic objectives and indicative priorities.