Why Young People in Bosnia and Herzegovina Are Losing Hope for Life and the Future

Life for Young People in Bosnia and Herzegovina Increasingly Feels Like an Endless Struggle Between Dreams and Reality While young people in other countries focus on careers, travel, and personal growth, most in BiH struggle just to find meaning in daily life. The causes of this problem are deeply rooted, but solutions exist—they just need to be voiced loudly. 1. Pressure from Family and Society In a traditional society, the “finish school, get a job, marry, buy a house” path is seen as the only acceptable life plan. Few ask young people what they truly want. Family expectations often lead to feelings of suffocation, as young people desire more than mere survival. 2. An Economy That Constantly Crushes Dreams Average salaries that aren’t enough to live on, insecure jobs, informal work—these all contribute to a sense of hopelessness. Young people start to believe that their effort doesn’t make a difference, which breeds apathy. 3. Constant Comparison on Social Media Online, it seems like everyone else is living a perfect life. But that’s just an illusion. Young people become depressed because they compare their real problems with other people’s filtered lives. 4. Lack of Mental Health Support Therapists are expensive, stigma is high, and problems pile up. Young people in BiH are taught to “stay silent and push through,” which leads to major mental breakdowns.