Equality

Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Equality is a core value of the EU. You have the right to fair treatment regardless of who you are, what you believe, or how you chose to live.

We carry out research and share expertise to help fight discrimination, inequality and racism in all its forms.

Highlights

  • Data explorer
    FRA’s 2024 survey on Roma and Travellers in Albania, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Spain collected information from 10,126 respondents living in private households who self-identify as Roma or Traveller, are 16 or older and have lived in the survey countries for at least the 12 months before the survey.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    25
    November
    2024
    This report presents key results of the EU gender-based violence survey based on data from all 27 Member States. The report focuses on the overall prevalence of physical violence or threats and/or sexual violence by any perpetrator, violence perpetrated by women’s intimate partners and by other people (non-partners) and women’s experiences of sexual harassment at work.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    25
    October
    2024
    Racism towards Muslims is increasing in countries across the EU. Muslims face racial discrimination and racist harassment because of their religion, skin colour or ethnic background. This report shows a sharp rise since the last survey in 2016.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    July
    2024
    Antisemitism is still a reality for many Jewish people in the EU today. Faced with prejudice and hostility, most feel unable to live openly Jewish lives. This report presents the results of FRA’s third EU survey of Jewish people’s experiences and perceptions of antisemitism. The survey took place before the Hamas attacks in October 2023 and the war in Gaza; however, it includes evidence from a consultation with national and European Jewish umbrella organisations since. It covers 13 EU Member States that together account for around 96 % of the EU’s Jewish population.
    Publications and data
    Roma and Travellers in the EU have more jobs and better housing than before, but poverty, discrimination and segregation remain widespread, shows a new survey from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
    2
    October
    2025
    This report examines the fundamental rights and living conditions of Roma and Travellers across 10 EU Member States and
    3 accession countries. The survey evaluates progress towards the EU Roma strategic framework’s 2030 objectives, covering areas such as discrimination, poverty, education, employment, health, and housing.
    FRA’s 2024 survey on Roma and Travellers in Albania, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Spain collected information from 10,126 respondents living in private households who self-identify as Roma or Traveller, are 16 or older and have lived in the survey countries for at least the 12 months before the survey.
    Challenging prejudice and stereotypes is not easy. But everything changes when we choose to truly see people for who they are. We can look beyond someone’s disability or skin colour – and see a person with their own dreams and aspirations. We can choose to understand, not assume. To connect, not exclude. So, pause. Look again. What do you choose to see?
    17
    September
    2025
    This report highlights the discrimination, harassment, violence, and non-consensual medical interventions faced by intersex people across 30 European countries, based on responses from nearly 2,000 participants in FRA's 2023 EU LGBTIQ Survey III. It reveals that many intersex individuals also identify as trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and have varied sexual orientations, which further compounds their experiences of discrimination. The report aims to support the development of laws and policies that promote the inclusion and dignity of intersex people.
    10
    June
    2025
    This publication is an excerpt from the Fundamental Rights Report 2025, the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). It presents selected critical developments in fundamental rights in 2024, as well as the key findings and FRA opinions from the report’s chapters.
    10
    June
    2025
    The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 is the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). It provides an overview of the state of fundamental rights in the EU and highlights selected critical developments and trends in 2024. The report covers issues such as inclusive elections, gender-based violence, and the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. It presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, setting out the actions that the EU and Member States should take. This annual publication is a valuable resource for those seeking to stay informed about the EU’s shifting landscape of fundamental rights.
    20
    March
    2025
    In recent years, the EU has taken steps to improve child protection, yet some Member States do not have an integrated approach. FRA first produced an overview of child protection systems in the EU in 2014, and an update in 2023. The data is published in FRA’s ‘Mapping of Child Protection Systems in the EU – Update 2023’. This report completements the 2023 update with comparative analysis and provides greater detail on children in vulnerable situations, care and the participation of children in matters affecting them. It also offers guidance on creating comprehensive frameworks that ensure that children’s rights are respected.
    30
    January
    2025
    This technical report presents in detail the stages of the survey implementation and the relevant information needed to assess the quality and reliability of the data.
    25
    November
    2024
    This report presents key results of the EU gender-based violence survey based on data from all 27 Member States. The report focuses on the overall prevalence of physical violence or threats and/or sexual violence by any perpetrator, violence perpetrated by women’s intimate partners and by other people (non-partners) and women’s experiences of sexual harassment at work.
    The results from the EU gender-based violence survey represent women aged 18 to 74 from across the EU. It covers experiences of physical, sexual and psychological violence, including domestic and non-partner violence. It also reports on sexual harassment at work.
    25
    October
    2024
    Racism towards Muslims is increasing in countries across the EU. Muslims face racial discrimination and racist harassment because of their religion, skin colour or ethnic background. This report shows a sharp rise since the last survey in 2016.
    11
    July
    2024
    Antisemitism is still a reality for many Jewish people in the EU today. Faced with prejudice and hostility, most feel unable to live openly Jewish lives. This report presents the results of FRA’s third EU survey of Jewish people’s experiences and perceptions of antisemitism. The survey took place before the Hamas attacks in October 2023 and the war in Gaza; however, it includes evidence from a consultation with national and European Jewish umbrella organisations since. It covers 13 EU Member States that together account for around 96 % of the EU’s Jewish population.
    The third iteration of the EU LGBTIQ Survey of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), was conducted in 2023. It presents the experiences of LGBTIQ people across the EU 27 Member States, and the candidate countries Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, on the extent to which they enjoy fundamental rights. It provides policymakers with a solid empirical basis for evidence-based policies to ensure respect and protection for and fulfilment of the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ people. This interactive data explorer shows data from the survey for over 150 questions and contains multiple options for filtering, exporting and sharing the data.
    5
    June
    2024
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2024 analyses the year’s developments in fundamental rights. It focuses on the most pressing fundamental rights concerns facing Europe in 2023: the cost-of-living crisis, rights concerns at the EU’s external borders and migration, and threats to democracy. Re-structured, this year’s new approach is a shorter and sharper analysis. It also presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, including a summary of the evidence supporting these opinions.
    5
    June
    2024
    The year 2023 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023 reviews developments in the field, identifying both achievements and remaining areas of concern. This publication presents FRA’s opinions on the main developments in the thematic areas covered and a synopsis of the evidence supporting these opinions. In so doing, it provides a compact but informative overview of the main fundamental rights challenges confronting the EU and its Member States.
    Cover Political Participation of People with Disabilities Report HTML
    Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock
    29
    May
    2024
    Ahead of the EU elections, this report explores the political participation of people with disabilities. Although some Member States removed restrictions on the right to vote and to stand for elections, barriers still exist. This report is an update of new developments following FRA’s last report published in 2014. It sets out ways forward to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities, in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    14
    May
    2024
    FRA’s third LGBTIQ survey shows that people still experience hate-motivated violence and discrimination. Trans and intersex people face even greater victimisation. Yet, signs of progress show that the EU’s and Member States’ efforts can positively affect people’s lives. More LGBTIQ people are open about their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
    10
    April
    2024
    Racism in the police can include discriminatory racial profiling practices through to excessive use of force. Incidents like these highlight deeper systemic issues that need addressing. Many in society are affected by racism in policing, not only the individuals or communities targeted. Lack of trust in policing can fuel social exclusion and damages the foundations of a fair and equal society, however promising practices are developing to address these issues. This is the first EU-wide report on racism in policing. FRA’s findings identify gaps in regulatory frameworks and propose concrete steps for action.
    Roma and Travellers in the EU have more jobs and better housing than before, but poverty, discrimination and segregation remain widespread, shows a new survey from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
    Challenging prejudice and stereotypes is not easy. But everything changes when we choose to truly see people for who they are. We can look beyond someone’s disability or skin colour – and see a person with their own dreams and aspirations. We can choose to understand, not assume. To connect, not exclude. So, pause. Look again. What do you choose to see?
    Findings from FRA’s Being Black in the EU report point to people of African descent experiencing widespread racism and discrimination in their daily lives.
    Young? Passionate about human rights? Having the right data can make a world of difference for your campaigning.
    On 7 May 2022, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) organised the fourth Fundamental Rights Dialogue – a live debate that gives young people an opportunity to voice their fundamental rights concerns and to discuss ways to solve them.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty, points to the need to recommit to human rights, as evidenced by the wide-ranging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here he refers to vaccine inequalities and the impact on marginalised communities, disadvantaged children and frontline workers. As he explains in this vlog, human rights can help fix and strengthen society so we are ready for the next pandemic.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty talks about the importance of celebrating diversity in our societies. He calls on everyone to build bridges and listen to each other, so we can create a society where everyone is equal in dignity and in rights.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty highlights the need to work together to tackle hate and discrimination in our societies.
    If we are serious about protecting fundamental rights, we need to start listening to young people and what they have to tell us. This message came through very strongly at the Fundamental Rights Forum 2021. As we kick off the European Year of Youth 2022, let’s look at why listening to young people is key to protecting their rights.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty points to the urgent need to work towards a fairer society and asks us all, as we go forward, to work less for people in the struggle for equality, but much more with them.
    On 23 February 2021, FRA’s Director, Michael O’Flaherty, listened to fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them. The second Fundamental Rights Dialogue invited young people to participate in shaping our societies, placing human rights centre stage.
    Drawing on the ‘Encouraging hate crime reporting: the role of law enforcement and other authorities' report, in this infographic FRA outlines why reporting is so important and what must change to encourage hate crime reporting.
    On 16 June, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights publishes the seventh of its bulletins on the fundamental rights impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his vlog FRA Director draws attention to fundamental rights issues related to the roll out of the vaccines in the EU 27 Member States.
    There are many reasons for the police to stop someone. But prejudice should not be one of them. Find out what FRA is doing to end discriminatory police stops.
    There are many reasons why adults may find themselves in a situation of vulnerability - because of their age, health or disability. Vulnerable people are at greater risk of unfair treatment, exploitation or abuse. And cross-border settings can lead to additional obstacles. It's time to address these challenges and identify the needs of vulnerable adults so everyone can enjoy their fundamental rights.
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the online event '2021 Mayors Summit Against Anti-Semitism' which took place on 16 March 2021. The event was hosted by the city of Frankfurt am Main in partnership with the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM).
    On 13 November, the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) hosted its first Fundamental Rights Dialogue - a virtual event that gave young people an opportunity to voice their fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them with FRA's Director Michael O'Flaherty.
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the online event "Union of Equality: achievements and challenges ahead".
    Although many steps have been taken in recent years to change LGBTI people’s lives for the better in the EU, there is still a long way to go, notes FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty in this video message to Athens Pride 2020.
    In his latest vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Roma community. Roma children are in danger of losing almost a whole year of schooling. It’s like losing a generation. It’s robbing children of the one place where they can have hope and dream the same dreams of every other child.
    FRA brought the perspective of a human rights-based approach to anti-poverty and social rights work during an expert roundtable on the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. FRA shared its experience and contribution by data and research about the life experiences of rightsholders and the responses of duty bearers.
    FRA attended a meeting in Brussels from 6 to 7 October of the subgroup on the national implementation of the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025. It was the last meeting under the current anti-Racism action plan.
    FRA’s Director launched the report ‘Rights of Roma and Travellers in 13 European Countries – Perspectives from the Roma Survey 2024’ on 2 October in Brussels. During the opening political panel of the European Platform for Roma Inclusion, she presented key survey findings.
    The FRA Director spoke at the launch of ‘The Unheard 12 millions’. The book presents stories of individuals that the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights met during his visits to selected European countries.
    FRA took part in a seminar organised by Equinet on navigating AI’s impact on disability and age. It looked at challenges and opportunities.
    FRA together with the Albanian Ministry of Justice, held a two-day technical workshop aimed at supporting national efforts to improve the collection of disaggregated data and statistics on equality and hate crime.
    Roma and Travellers in the EU have more jobs and better housing than before, but poverty, discrimination and segregation remain widespread, shows a new survey from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). FRA warns that significant gaps remain between Roma inclusion targets set by the EU and the lived experiences of Roma and Traveller communities. EU countries are not likely to meet the targets by 2030.
    On 22-23 September, FRA participated in a conference of Equality Bodies from South-Eastern Europe. At the event, FRA spoke about the specific challenges that civil society organisations working on non-discrimination issues face in their work.
    On 16 September, FRA spoke at a seminar held by the Slovakian National Human Rights Institution.
    Being intersex in the EU means facing alarming levels of violence, harassment and discrimination in daily life, finds the latest report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Many intersex people have been forced to undergo ‘conversion’ practices or medical procedures without their informed consent, amounting to serious fundamental rights violations. FRA calls on EU countries to address the specific needs of intersex people to protect them from hate, discrimination and medical interventions without their free and fully informed consent.
    The OECD and Germany’s Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency invited FRA to contribute to a technical expert workshop on estimating the economic cost of discrimination.
    FRA provided evidence-based input to support the development of the EU’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2026–2030. The contribution draws on the Agency’s survey data, research findings, and expert opinions.
    FRA shared input with the European Commission as it drafts its first EU affordable housing plan. FRA calls for a rights-based approach to housing.
    FRA joined the Budapest Pride 30: International Human Rights Conference that ran from 24 to 26 June. It took part in a panel debate about the future of Europe.
    From 23 to 26 June, FRA attended meetings of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). It presented FRA’s priorities in the area of combating antisemitism, including in the area of Holocaust education and remembrance.
    FRA attended a meeting of the Working Group on the Implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life which took place from 17 to 18 June in Gdansk.
    FRA gave a presentation at the event ‘The Long Shadow of Antisemitism – Finland and Europe without Antisemitism’ on 12 June. FRA spoke about its work on antisemitism and its latest survey findings.
    FRA joined an online consultation for the new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights. Seven EU agencies provided input to a review of the first Action Plan, its achievements and gaps in implementation, as well as proposals for future actions and possible contributions by the Agencies.
    On 14 June, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) will march alongside the Diplomats for Equality and the EU institutions in Vienna to celebrate love, equality and inclusion at the Vienna Pride Parade. This year’s march will also pause to honour the victims of the recent tragic school shooting in Graz, standing in solidarity with the affected communities.
    On 11 June, FRA hosted an online information session for public authorities. It presented key findings from its report ‘Towards Integrated Child Protection Systems - Challenges, promising practices and ways forward’.
    FRA will contribute to the 4th Child-Friendly Justic European Network annual seminar on 23 October on bridging child protection and child justice. It will join an interactive session on strengthening the capacities and the roles of child protection systems in Europe.
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    FRA will host a consultation meeting on violence against people with disabilities in institutions from 21 to 22 October. It will build on key findings of FRA’s forthcoming comparative report on laws and practices to prevent and protect against violence towards people with disabilities in institutions in the EU.
    On 13 October, the Agency will take participate in the 7th Advisory Board meeting of the EU Children’s Participation Platform. FRA is a Board member.
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    FRA will host the workshop of the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies Network and selected other agencies to discuss the collection and use of data on gender-based violence.
    FRA will contribute to discussions on the EU anti-poverty strategy. Participants will discuss how international human rights standards and the Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights can inform the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
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    FRA will attend the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth in Valletta from 9 to 10 October. The event brings together young people and policymakers to exchange ideas, strengthen democratic participation and shape European youth policy.
    On 29 September, FRA will hold a multilateral partner strategic cooperation workshop. This event will bring together a diverse group of actors who are active in the fields of memory, remembrance, and countering antisemitism.
    FRA will join the National Roma Contact Points meeting organised by the European Commission. FRA will present results of the Roma survey 2024.
    FRA Director Sirpa Rautio will give a speech at the launch of the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner's report on the human rights situation of Roma and Travellers.
    FRA Director Sirpa Rautio will join the high-level political panel at the 18th European Platform for Roma Inclusion meeting. She will announce FRA's publication with results from the Roma Survey 2024 that will be available on 2 October.
    FRA will present selected results of the EU gender-based violence survey at a conference on 17 September in Vienna. The University of Vienna and UN Office on Drugs and Crime are organising the event.
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    FRA will contribute to the first session of the UN Human Rights Office’s open-ended intergovernmental working group that will explore a draft optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It will look at the rights to early childhood education, free pre-primary and secondary education.
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    FRA will present the results of the EU’s gender-based violence survey during the European Society of Criminology’s annual conference.
    The EU’s Monitoring Framework to the UN’s Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities will discuss the national implementation of selected EU laws related to the rights of people with disabilities. National monitoring frameworks, as well as with ENNHRI and Equinet will join the meeting.
    FRA’s Head of Unit Equality, Roma and Social Rights, Siobhan MacInerney-Lankford, will exchange views with members European Parliament’s Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
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    FRA will take part in the bi-annual Infra4NextGen stakeholder board meeting. Infra4NextGen is an EU-funded project which began on 1 March 2024 to bring together output from key social science research infrastructures to help inform the NextGenerationEU programme and European Union youth policies.
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    The 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child will take place from 23 to 24 June in Brussels. The theme is championing children’s rights: Building fair and resilient societies for the EU’s present and future.
    FRA, EIGE and EU-OSHA will meet EuroCommerce to discuss the use of the results from the EU’s gender-based violence survey concerning sexual harassment at work.
    FRA will speak at a webinar on civic space and civic participation, that will kick off European Pro Bono Week 2025, a Europe-wide celebration of the work of pro bono lawyers who support civil society, advance access to justice, and promote the rule of law.