ABSTRACT
Minority groups, perhaps more than others, are struggling against the harsh living conditions imposed by the transition. Many such groups had been highly marginalized during the Soviet era, and remain so to this day. Though their circumstances vary widely, they share common problems in relation to the rest of society, including higher rates of unemployment and poverty and diminished access to education, health care, and other basic services. Much of this inequality stems from discrimination. Minority groups also suffer social disruption brought about by state efforts to incorporate them into the dominant society.
