Five World Cup Economies on the Rise: Bosnia & Herzegovina

After beating Greece in qualifiers and finishing atop its group, Bosnia & Herzegovina is in the World Cup for first time since becoming independent in 1995. Experts view the team as a dark horse in Brazil with world class forwards in Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic and one of the tournament's potential breakout stars in Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic. While Argentina is the favorite to win the group, Iran and Nigeria present beatable competition. If Bosnia & Herzegovina is taking the world stage this World Cup, the country's economy seems poised for a similar ascendance. Goldman Sachs economists note that since independence, GDP more than tripled to $18 billion in 2013, with per capita incomes making similar sized gains. In 1996, per capital income was 6.5% of the European Union average. By 2013, the income ratio reached 13.5%. However, Bosnia has financed its growth and has run large current account deficits. The country remains a candidate for European Union membership according to Goldman.