The City of Banja Luka and the Banja Luka Youth Council, in cooperation with the Institute for Youth Development KULT, conducted a survey on the position and needs of young people in preparation for developing the youth policy of the City of Banja Luka. The decision to conduct a survey on the position and needs of young people shows the commitment of the City of Banja Luka to improving the lives of the youth in their community.
The survey included 390 young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Their answers reveal young people’s problems in education, work and employment, health care, social care, culture and sports, youth activism, and security. Below, we highlight several interesting findings:
Analysis of demographic trends in Banja Luka reveals significant changes in the youth population. The number of young people has declined from 36,000 in 2013 to 31,511 in 2022, which could have long-term consequences for the economy, social systems, and youth-oriented policies. Many young people from Banja Luka show a strong interest in living abroad, with 49.7% attracted by better working conditions, 43.6% by a higher standard of living, while 30% are motivated by the the limited prospects in the country. The high unemployment rate among youth (47.4%) underscores the urgent need for employment strategies targeting education and employment. A significant 50.2% of young people are not employed in a field related to their education and qualifications, suggesting a disconnect between the educational system and labor market needs.
It is also interesting to note that 45.6% of young people are interested in starting their own business and that 8.1% of young people already own a business.
An analysis of health trends among young people in Banja Luka has led to some important insights. A significant number of young people do not regularly undergo physical exams, with 26.2% unable to recall their last check-up. This indicates a need to raise awareness about the importance of preventive exams and health education among young people. Also, a significant percentage of young women (22.3%) have never undergone a gynecological exam.
These data highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of health trends among young people, strengthening preventive programs and education, and improving access to health services to ensure better health outcomes for youth in Banja Luka.
The analysis of the housing and financial situation of young people in Banja Luka reveals that most (71.3%) live with their parents, likely due to the financial challenges associated with renting or buying property. Financial constraints, like low income or lack of housing support, often hold back young people who want to move out of their family homes. The mentality and other social factors also heavily influence their decisions regarding employment and housing. Critical remarks about the mentality that leads young people to stay in their parents’ home, as well as the lack of support for renting or buying, point to deeper social and cultural factors that influence their decisions. All these factors should be taken into account when it comes to developing systemic solutions that are intended for them.
A significant proportion of young people reported knowing someone who has been a victim of violence in various contexts: domestic violence (35.4%), bullying (38.5%), cyberbullying (27.2%), sexual violence (20.3%), workplace violence (16.9%), robberies (11%), intimate partner violence (22.1%), and violence inflicted by extremist groups (10.5%).
For more information on the position and needs of young people read the Analysis of the survey on the position and needs of young people in the city of Banja Luka.
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