EU membership for six Balkan countries

The EU is preparing to welcome its next group of member states by 2025 as it seeks to breathe new life into the bloc, tighten controls on migration and counter Russian influence in the Balkans

EU members
Britain: Due to leave Mar 29, 2019
RUSSIA
Enlarged area

100km 60 miles
HUNGARY 
CROATIA
ROMANIA
BULGARIA
MONTENEGRO
BOSNIA-HERZ
KOSOVO
ALBANIA
MACEDONIA
GREECE
SERBIA
Candidate 
Potential candidate

MONTENEGRO 
Population* 0.62 million 
GDP* $4.37 billion
EU candidate since 2010. Started entry talks in 2012. Could join 2025

MACEDONIA
Population 2.08 million 
GDP $10.89 billion
Candidate since 2005. Hopes to start accession talks this year

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Population 3.51 million 
GDP $16.91 billion
Requested to join EU in 2016. Entry talks not until 2023 at earliest

SERBIA
Population 7.05 million 
GDP $38.29 billion
Candidate since 2012. Started entry talks in 2014. Could join 2025

ALBANIA
Population 2.87 million 
GDP $11.86 billion
Candidate since 2014. Hopes to start accession talks this year

KOSOVO
Population 1.81 million 
GDP $6.64 billion
Needs to normalize relations with Serbia to become candidate


*All figures 2016 

Sources: European Commission, World Bank
© GRAPHIC NEWS