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Yugoslavia Gypsies
Yugoslavia had one of the largest Gypsy populations in the
world. The 1981 census officially recorded 168,099 Gypsies in the
country, but unofficial counts estimated the Gypsy population as
five to six times larger. The Gypsies suffered many serious
social problems, and intolerance of Gypsies by other ethnic
groups was still prevalent in the northern parts of Yugoslavia in
the 1980s. A high percentage of Gypsies were illiterate or had
only a few years of primary education. Despite government
attempts to lure them into schools and paying jobs, many Gypsies
continued to live a nomadic existence as traders, beggars, and
fortune-tellers. During the 1980s, large conventions periodically
demanded full recognition of Yugoslav Gypsies as a separate
nationality; the federal government reached no decision on their
proposals, although some concessions were made. Meanwhile, the
Gypsies undeniably added a unique element to Yugoslav culture:
Gypsy musicians played at most weddings, and Gypsy street bands
played music for handouts on holiday weekends.
Data as of December 1990
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