Poverty and Ethnicity : A Cross-Country Study of Roma Poverty in Central Europe

Roma are a unique minority in Europe, and with current estimates of between seven and nine million living throughout the continent, they represent the largest minority group. They are the main poverty risk group in many countries of central and eastern Europe, yet there is little information available on their living conditions. This paper analyses data from a new cross-country household survey, conducted by the Center for Comparative Research at Yale University, into the ethnic dimension of poverty in Roma communities in Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. Findings describe the multidimensional nature of Roma poverty, both in terms of consumption and income, as well as other deprivation measures such as housing and health status, access to education and employment opportunities. Significant structural factors are identified which reflect past and present discrimination. Whilst specific policies need to be formulated at the country level, the report also seeks to highlight common policy options among national governments, Roma communities, non-governmental organisations and international agencies.