City of Sarajevo consists of four municipalities: Centar, Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, and Stari Grad. In the period from 1948 to 1991, population grew from 116099 to 361735, being it more than three times. Growth was mainly caused by rapid immigration. 52% of those living in Sarajevo were not native-born there. 

In 1991, Bosniacs constituted more than a half of the city population. In Novo Sarajevo Municipality, they had a relative majority while in other municipalities it was rather absolute leadership. Major religious affiliations were: Islamic (49, 3%), Orthodox (29, 8%), and Catholics (6, 7%).

In 1991, according to Dayton Agreement, 56, 2% of urban areas and 98, 5% of its population was on BiH Federation territory while Republika Srpska had 43, 8% of urban areas and 1, 5% of its population. Division of Sarajevo agglomeration looked like this: BiH 64, 3% of the city’s territory and 94, 5 of its population were in BiH Federation while the rest of percentages, 35,7% of the area and 5,5% of population, were covered by the Republika Srpska territory. Sarajevo agglomeration area, located on BiH Federation territory, was established as Sarajevo Canton, with its four municipalities (Centar, Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, and Stari Grad) gathering into the city of Sarajevo.

In 1998, Sarajevo demographic picture was changed. Population (274.526 citizens) decreased for more than 26%. New category appeared in the population’s structure – refugees, creating situation in which those inhabiting Sarajevo were no more exclusively representatives of the city population. Percentage of the native population remained above 2/3 (67, 3%). Percentage of Bosniac population grew significantly (78, 3%). Age structure changed as well – city population got older (14, 4% were children up to 14, 67, 9% were those from 15 to 64, and 17, 7% were 65 and older).