EU Reports Gains for Roma Employment
The European Commission's third implementation report on the EU Roma Strategic Framework tracks progress from June 2023 to March 2025.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Employment
The European Commission published its third implementation report on the EU Roma Strategic Framework, showing that the share of Roma in paid employment rose to 54% from 43%. The Commission said member states should sustain and increase efforts to meet the 2030 targets.
Why it matters
The report measures progress on a framework covering the EU, with most employment-related targets projected to be reached by 2030 if the current pace continues. Persistent gaps in education, housing and discrimination remain central to the framework's goals.
The Commission's report shows paid employment among Roma rising to 54% from 43%, with severe material deprivation falling to 37% in 2024 from 62% in 2016. It remains unclear whether the employment and education targets will be fully reached by 2030 at the current pace.
The players
European Commission
The executive body of the European Union that proposes legislation and oversees implementation of EU policy, including the Roma Strategic Framework.
The details
The report, the third implementation report on the EU Roma Strategic Framework, covers June 2023 to March 2025 and was announced by the Commission in a statement on Tuesday. Only around one third of Roma young people complete upper secondary education, and nearly half of Roma children attend segregated schools.
Timeline
June 2023 to March 2025: period covered by the report
2024: latest year for the severe material deprivation figure
2021 to 2027: ESF+ funding period providing €1.8 billion for marginalised communities
2028: expected date of the next implementation report
2030: target year for framework goals
Big Picture
The third implementation report under the EU Roma Strategic Framework shows employment gains that put most employment targets within reach by 2030 if the current pace holds. Progress in education and housing remains uneven, with gaps still substantial.
For Roma workers and job seekers, the rise in paid employment and youth participation in education or training reflects improved access to jobs and skills programs. Households still facing severe material deprivation and housing deprivation remain most directly affected by the remaining gaps.
The takeaway
Employment gains among Roma show that sustained policy effort can move measurable indicators, but the report signals that member states must keep pressing on education, housing and discrimination to meet the 2030 targets.
What happens next
The next implementation report on the EU Roma Strategic Framework is expected in 2028.
Further reading
Explore more on the Employment section for context on labor market trends affecting marginalised groups.
