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Roma integration in Bulgaria still faces hurdles: report

Xinhua, May 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Bulgaria has taken measures for Roma integration, but this ethnic group still faces difficulties in school attendance and ensuring good living conditions, a report said here on Wednesday.

The annual progress report on the implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria (2012-2020) noted a large number of local initiatives and improved coordination work between state institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

However, despite the progress achieved, there remain a number of difficulties, the report said.

Many young Roma are still without proper education or do not visit school, the report said.

Meanwhile, Roma living in isolated settlements has led to social exclusion, the deterioration of their housing conditions, and problems maintaining the infrastructure.

According to the last population census in 2011, Roma people account for 4.9 percent of Bulgaria's population. Amongst those who self-identify as Roma, 14.5 percent were illiterate, which is much higher than the national average of 1.7 percent. In addition, for the Roma population, the share of children who do not go to school was 23.2 percent, the census showed. Endit