Wars in the former Yugoslavia have forced nearly five million people from their homes since 1991.  This massive displacement of populations and the lack of reliable census information for much of the region have made “neutral” sources such as telephone directories an invaluable source of demographic data. Directories dating from 1951 to 1999 are included.

The telephone directories also serve as a means of establishing refugee or displaced person status by documenting and corroborating evidence of previous residence of those applying for such recognition.