1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This third survey aimed at collecting representative data about the extent of statelessness in the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) population living in informal settlements in Serbia was conducted on a sample of 1,807 households (9,218 persons). The survey was two-pronged: one component was fully consistent with the previous two survey rounds (2010 and 2015) in that it was an opinion poll of the inhabitants of informal settlements home to RAE individuals, whereas the other entailed a number of in-depth interviews with stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the enactment and implementation of regulations designed to address statelessness. The survey questionnaire, based on the 2015 survey instrument, was designed to allow the identification of specific objectives for subsequent quantitative research, namely to: • • • • Determine the number RAE individuals at risk of statelessness living in informal settlements; Identify and graphically present the locations generally inhabited by these individuals; Develop the socio-economic profile of a person at risk of statelessness; and Identify reasons for lack of personal identity documents. Wherever possible, the findings of the survey were compared to the results of the 2015 research to provide a progress assessment and to clearly identify the areas requiring more concerted efforts to address the issue of ‘legally invisible’ persons and to reduce the risk of statelessness in the RAE population. In-depth interviews revealed the key legislative changes related to personal identity documents, showed how the regulations were implemented in practice, and produced recommendations for further action. Basic characteristics of the sample: • The average household was significantly larger than the Serbian average and numbered 5.2 members. • The average age of respondents in each household was 41, as much as eight years less than the average age found by surveys conducted on representative samples of adult Serbians. • Language: Roma, 66 percent; Serbian, 25 percent; Albanian, 6 percent. • 99 percent of the interviewed respondents were Serbian nationals. The findings indicate that informal settlements were home to 253 persons not holding birth registration documents; 275 persons whose Serbian citizenship was not confirmed; 1,032 persons without personal identity cards; and 2,072 persons without registered permanent or temporary residence. Key characteristics of persons at risk of statelessness: 6 PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION AND THE WAY FORWARD