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Roma people live on the entire territory of the Czech Republic, but are concentrated in the northern part of the country and in urban areas (both towns and cities).
- The usual estimate of Roma community members in the Czech Republic is 200 000 to 250 000. However, this number is merely an approximation, as there are no census instruments to measure this number with more accuracy. For example, in the general population census of 1991, only 33 000 people claimed to be Roma (for various reasons, such as discrimination or other barriers).
- Roma people live on the entire territory of the Czech Republic, but are concentrated in the northern part of the country and in urban areas (both towns and cities).
- The Roma population is divided into several sub-ethnic groups. The majority is part of a group of Slovakian Romas (almost ¾ of all Roma people living in the Czech Rep.), who migrated to the Czech Rep. in 3 or 4 migration waves following the Second World War. The most isolated group is the Vlachika Roma group (approx. 10 %), which has a different language and traditions; and there are only remnants of the original Bohemian Roma group – which was almost entirely eliminated in Nazi extermination camps during WW II. The divisions within the Roma population has a manifest impact on the social life of people; and should therefore be considered more seriously in the formation of policies concerning the Roma.
Main problems of Czech Roma community
The main issues affecting the Czech Roma community are presumably similar to others European countries – extremely high unemployment rates, low educational level, cultural and social isolation, prejudices on the part of the majority population. However, there are only a few typical large-scale “ghettos” in the Czech Republic, many “socially excluded” localities are observable, from separated old houses to whole quarters in towns and cities. According to the “Analysis of Socially Excluded Roma Localities in the Czech Republic” (see link below) there are 310 socially excluded localities within 167 of 178 examined urban areas, with approximately 60 000 – 90 000 Roma inhabitants. A significant distinction exists with respect to Western European countries – the transition from a former paternalistic communist regime with its obligatory employment and “social certainty”, to today's liberal society defined by individual responsibility. This transition is still not fully understood in isolated Roma communities.In order to solve contemporary problems related to the situation of the Roma community, the central government, local and regional bodies and non-governmental organisations are inter-linked and willing to co-operate. See also Structural Funds and Roma below.
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