Mortality is one of the key determinants of the demographic development of the Republic of
Srpska (RS). In the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the mortality rate, especially in the older
population. Years of potential life lost (YPLL) were used in this study as a measure of the premature
mortality of the population of the RS. The reference age limit is set at 70 years of age, therefore, premature
mortality refers to all deaths in the age range from 0 to 69 years. The time frame includes a period of 20
years (1998–2018). The subject of the research is the YPLL analysis of the population of the RS, with a
special emphasis on the causes of death. The study aims to determine the differences in YPLL according
to gender and cause of death, as well as to indicate the factors influencing differential premature mortality.
The results of the research indicate a decrease in YPLL by about 40%. Higher YPLL rates were registered
in males. Differentiation according to the cause of death showed low values of YPLL in non-communicable
diseases, while high rates were recorded in violent deaths. The decrease in the YPLL rate is a consequence
of the reduction of infant mortality and violent deaths, while high values in males are a consequence of
the influence of risk factors. Reducing these factors can have a significant impact on reducing YPLL rates
among the population of the RS.
