Population
According to CIA World Factbook, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the 128th ranked country in the world and has around 3,856,181 inhabitants (July 2017 est.).
Ethnic group division in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Bosniak 50.1%
Serb 30.8%
Croat 15.4%
Other 2.7% (Jews, Roma, Bosnians)
Religion
Christianity, Islam and Judaism have long endured harmonious living and created rich cultural and religious heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The pagan belief systems of the ancient Illyrians and early Slav settlers clearly intertwined with the early introduction of Christianity in the 10th century. A unique form of secular Christianity called the Bosnian Church flourished many centuries before the Orthodox and Catholic structures spread their influence throughout this rugged mountain land. In 1291, the Franciscan Order sent by Pope to extinguish heresy (Bosnian Church). Upon their arrival, the Franciscans established their first monastery and province in Srebrenica (Bosna Srebrena). Franciscans stayed in Bosnia and Herzegovina to this day and are considered the guardians of Bosnian history and legacy. There are several impressive monasteries with museums and libraries keeping old incunabula (old books and manuscripts dating back to period before the 16th century).
With the arrival of conquering Ottomans the most significant transformation of Bosnian society occurred – the introduction of Islam to this part of the world. Ottomans built many Islamic schools and mosques. Bosnia and Herzegovina also has a very rich sacral Orthodox heritage with dozens of monasteries dating back to the period from 14th to 16th century, as well as numerous beautiful Catholic cathedrals (mainly built during the Austro-Hungarian rule) and one of the three most famous Catholic Pilgrimage shrines in Medjugorje, the Shrine of Our Lady visited by over a million pilgrims annually since the first appearance in 1981.
The largest part of Bosnian population is composed of Muslims (50.7%). They primarily practice Sunni Islam and are known as very modest in their beliefs and religious rituals. The second largest part is Orthodox 30.7%, and the third is Roman Catholic 15.2%. The Jewish part is rather small in number but comprise an important part of the multiethnic community of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Despite the struggles in the past, most communities of Bosnia and Herzegovina once again live in harmony as they have done since medieval times.