Romani people in Sweden

The Romani people of Sweden (Romer i Sverige), also spelled Romany or Rromani ( or  ), colloquially known as the Roma (: Rom), are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who traditionally lived a nomadic, itinerant lifestyle.

Around 25,000 Romani people who live in Sweden are descended from a wave of Romani migration to Sweden in the early sixteenth century. The rest of the Swedish Roma population originated from several Romani subsequent groups arriving since the early twentieth century. Romani people are one of five recognized minorities in Sweden. The Romani language is also officially recognised as a minority language in Sweden. Despite this recognition in Sweden, The Roma remain one of the most marginalized communities in the country.

The first evidence of Roma presence dates back to 1512, when thirty Romani families arrived in Stockholm from Helsinki, Finland. Precise dates of Romani presence in Sweden are found in the Swedish Chronicle of Olaus Petri.

The Council of Europe has estimated that approximately 42,500 Romani people live in Sweden (0.46% of the population).

Romani people have been discriminated in Sweden in the 20th century.

Radio. Sweden and the Swedish Television Network are broadcasting programs in the Romani language in Sweden.

Swedish Roma mainly live in Malmö, Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Notable Individuals

 * Katarina Taikon, author

Former footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović reportedly has Romani heritage, but this has never been confirmed by reputable sources or Ibrahimović himself.