April 24, 2002—The exclusion of Roma living in settlements in Slovakia hampers their access to jobs, education and public services, contributing to deep pockets of poverty in the midst of a relatively well-off country, says a new World Bank report released this week in Washington. Informal estimates suggest that 420,000 to 500,000 Roma live in Slovakia, equivalent to approximately 8-10 percent of the population. Because of higher birth rates among Roma than other population groups, this share is likely to rise in coming years.

The Poverty and Welfare of Roma in Slovak Republic report was prepared by the World Bank in partnership with two Slovak nongovernmental organizations—SPACE Foundation and INECKO, which contributed in-kind support and led the fieldwork—and the Open Society Institute, New York, which co-financed the field research. It is based on recent fieldwork in 27 Roma settlements in three diverse districts of the country. Roma settlements are generally not included in household surveys, and as a result, limited information is available about their conditions. A key finding is that, within districts, the level of poverty in a Roma settlement is closely connected to regional economic conditions, the level of integration and segregation of the settlement, and its proximity to a neighboring village or town. Living conditions are poorest in the most isolated and marginalized communities.

"This report aims to improve understanding of the situation of Roma in Slovakia and to facilitate the development of policies and programs to help meet their needs. Progress will also depend on the participation of Roma themselves in civil society," explained Maureen Lewis, who oversaw the research effort and is World Bank Sector Manager for Human Development Economics in the Europe and Central Asia region.

Roma are poorer than other population groups and are worse off in terms of nearly all basic social indicators, including education and health status, housing conditions, and access to opportunities in the labor market and within civil society. Long-term unemployment among Roma is particularly high; social assistance benefits are the only source of income for some families; and limited communication and interactions between Roma and non-Roma in the country reinforce a vicious cycle of poverty.

The EU accession process provides an important window of opportunity for tackling Roma issues through programs and projects. The EU has focused attention on the status of Roma in the Slovak Republic, attention to Roma issues being included in the criteria for accession. As the EU has acknowledged, the Slovak government has already set up the laws and institutional framework for minority policies, however the challenge of implementation remains, particularly at the local level.

Improving the status of Roma in the country will require a multi-dimensional approach involving partnerships between Roma and the Slovak government, NGOs, international organizations, local governments and communities. Approaches will require a combination of policy measures to facilitate access of Roma to public services, and community-based projects.

According to the report, policy measures to help the Roma population by reducing poverty and improving living conditions should include measures ranging from improving housing conditions, to expanding employment opportunities, furthering opportunities for education, providing greater access to health care and addressing issues of exclusion

The report is available on the Bank's Slovak Country website in English and Slovak at: http://www.worldbank.sk/news.htm#romaseminar.

The Poverty and Welfare of Roma in Slovak Republic report was released in Washington this week

"This report aims to improve understanding of the situation of Roma in Slovakia and to facilitate the development of policies and programs to help meet their needs. Progress will also depend on the participation of Roma themselves in civil society," explained Maureen Lewis, who oversaw the research effort and is World Bank Sector Manager for Human Development Economics in the Europe and Central Asia region