PUBLIC OPINION PERCEPTION OF EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA-THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC EXPECTATIONS AND SECURITY FEARS
Abstract: This paper examines public opinion in Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding Euro- Atlantic integration. The study explores the relationship between hopes for a change in living standards and concerns about geopolitical security. Based on a survey of 1,111 respondents in November 2025, support for EU membership is rated high (4.38). At the same time, expectations of immediate economic benefits are more modest. Respondents gave an average score of 3.14 for improving household budgets with EU accession. This shows that citizens are pragmatic, if not skeptical or undecided, regarding the financial benefits of EU and Euro-Atlantic integration. The results show that the primary motives for supporting EU membership are strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption (4.15). Support for NATO is lower (3.71), with noticeable gender and entity differences. The study finds that significantly more women than men see NATO as a guarantor of long-term peace. The perception of Russia as a positive security factor is low (1.92), even in Republika Srpska (2.10). The paper concludes that despite political crises, citizens remain committed to integration. They view these processes mainly as a framework for regulation and security rather than immediate economic benefits.
Keywords: Euro-Atlantic integration, Bosnia and Herzegovina, European Union, NATO, security