Slovakia has received 16.1 million dollars from the European Union to alleviate the discrimination of its Roma (gypsy) population, who suffer from a reported near 100% unemployment rate and staggeringly low literacy levels. The Roma population, estimated to be at about five million, is currently the largest ethnic minority group in central and Eastern Europe. In total, the EU has spent more than $70 million to improve the plight of the Roma people. However, most Romas themselves see very little change. Representatives in Brussels predict that once the borders open, many of the half million Slovak Roma will want to head west.
