The construction sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a dual structural challenge: a persistent shortage of qualified labour and a deeply rooted gender imbalance that continues to limit women’s participation. This needs assessment report brings together quantitative labour market data, educational statistics, secondary research, and qualitative insights from key stakeholders to provide an evidence-based overview of the current situation and identify priorities for change.
Women remain a clear minority in the construction sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Available data indicate that they make up around 10% of the total construction workforce, with the vast majority employed in administrative, office-based, or technical support roles. Site-based positions, skilled trades, and leadership roles continue to be dominated by men.
At the end of September 2023, 40,813 people were employed in construction in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including 4,291 women, confirming the limited female presence in the sector. While some growth has been recorded in recent years, particularly in Republika Srpska, this increase remains modest and insufficient to change the overall gender structure of the workforce.
Data collected from cantonal employment services reveal persistent gender disparities among unemployed persons with construction-related qualifications. In all reporting cantons, men significantly outnumber women. For example:
A particularly striking finding comes from Zenica-Doboj Canton, where women represent only 10.5% of jobseekers with craft-level construction qualifications, highlighting a pronounced gender gap in vocational trades.
Data from the Employment Service of Republika Srpska further underline this imbalance. In 2024, 1,223 individuals were removed from the unemployment register from the construction sector, of whom only 11.5% were women, suggesting that women benefit far less from employment opportunities even when vacancies exist.
In contrast to labour market outcomes, educational data present a more nuanced and, in some cases, encouraging picture. Several secondary schools and higher education institutions report a significant share of female students, and in some cases even a female majority, in construction-related programmes.
Notably, the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University “Džemal Bijedić” in Mostar reports 52% female students, a rare example of gender balance in construction-related higher education. Similar trends are observed in several technical secondary schools, where female enrolment equals or slightly exceeds that of male students.
However, this growing interest among young women is not translating into proportional employment outcomes. A clear gap persists between education and the labour market, indicating structural barriers that prevent women from entering and remaining in the construction workforce after completing their studies.
Qualitative interviews with women working in construction-related roles highlight challenges that go beyond numerical underrepresentation. Stakeholders consistently point to:
Despite legal frameworks guaranteeing gender equality, enforcement remains inconsistent, and most gender-equality initiatives in construction are driven by donor-funded projects rather than embedded public policy.
Labour shortages in construction are exacerbated by skills mismatches and outdated curricula. Stakeholders emphasise that both secondary and higher education programmes lack sufficient practical training, leaving graduates unprepared for real-world construction work. Employers are often required to invest significant time and resources in retraining new hires.
This gap is further widened by emigration, as skilled workers leave the country in search of better wages and working conditions abroad. As a result, construction projects face delays, productivity losses, and increased pressure on the remaining workforce.
The findings of this needs assessment point to several priority areas for intervention:
The construction sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at a critical crossroads. Labour shortages threaten its long-term sustainability, while gender inequality continues to exclude a significant portion of the potential workforce. Although education trends suggest growing interest among women, systemic barriers prevent this potential from being realised.
Addressing these challenges is not only a matter of social justice, but also an economic necessity. Creating pathways for women to enter, remain, and progress in construction is essential for building a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready sector.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
