Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 05/2009

No Way Out: An Assessment of the Romani Community in Georgia

David Szakonyi

February 2008

European Centre for Minority Issues

Abstract

The Romani community is the most marginalized and disadvantaged ethnic community in Georgia. Although accurate estimates are hard to establish, the population is thought to number up to 1,500 persons, living in multiple small settlements across Georgia. Extreme poverty, unemployment, lack of education and health care, and isolation from larger society comprise several of the major problems the community as a whole is facing. The overall situation for the Roms in Georgia has significantly deteriorated since the Soviet period, leaving the population practically devoid of any means to lift themselves out of their often devastating circumstances.