STOCKHOLM: Sweden`s government said on Friday it was launching a project to chart the different types of racism in society and assess the level of Swedes`intolerance towards minorities.

Around 27 per cent of Sweden`s population, or more than 2.8 million people, were of foreign origin last year, meaning they were either born abroad or both their parents were.

Presenting the government`s plan, Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg said she wanted to focus in particular on the scope of the phenomenon in schools.

`Racism and discrimination affect Afro-Swedish students at school... young Roma don`t dare speak out about their identity, and the (indigenous minority) Sami are victims of hate crimes,` the minister said at a press conference.

`Teachers say they hear students uttering verbal insults against people because of their skin colour, their religion or their ethnic origin,` Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed said at the same press conference.-AFP