List of ethnic groups in Laos
The following is a list of ethnic groups within Laos.
Classification
Specialists are largely in agreement as to the ethnolinguistic classification of the ethnic groups of Laos.[1] For the purposes of the 1995 census, the government of Laos recognized 149 ethnic groups within 47 main ethnicities.[1] whereas the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) recently revised the list to include 49 ethnicities consisting of over 160 ethnic groups.[1]
The term ethnic minorities is used by some to classify the non-Lao ethnic groups, while the term indigenous peoples is not used by the Lao PDR.[1] These 160 ethnic groups speak a total of 82 distinct living languages.[2]
Mon-Khmer
- Aheu (population of approximately 1,770 in Bolikhamxai Province)[2]
- Alak (population of approximately 4,000 in southern Laos)[2]
- Arem (population of approximately 500 in Laos)[2]
- Bo (population of 2,950 in Laos)[2]
- Bru (population of approximately 69,000 in Laos)[2]
- Chut (population of 450 in Khammouane Province)[2]
- Halang Doan (population of 2,350 in Attapeu Province and on the Kasseng Plateau)[2]
- Hung or Tum (population of 2,000 in Bolikhamsai and Khammouane Provinces)[2]
- Ir (population of 4,420 in Salavan Province)[2]
- Jeh (population of 8,013 in southern Laos)[2]
- Jeng (population of 7,320 in Attapeu Province)[2]
- Kasseng (population of 6,000 in southern Laos)[2]
- Katang (population of 107,350 in Laos)[2]
- Katu (population of 14,700 in Laos)[2]
- Khlor (population of 6,000 in Laos)[2]
- Khmer (population of 10,400 in Laos)[2]
- Khua (population of 2,000 in Laos)[2]
- Kri
- Kuy (population of 51,180 in Laos)[2]
- Lavae (also referred to as Brao)[3]
- Lave (population of 12,750 in Laos)[2]
- Laven (population of 40,519 in Laos)[2]
- Lavi[4]
- Maleng (population of 800 in Laos)[2]
- Mon
- Ngae (population of 12,189 in Laos)[2]
- Nguon
- Nyaheun[2]
- Ong[2]
- Oi (population of 11,200 in Laos)[2]
- Pakoh[2]
- Phong[2]
- Sadang[4]
- Salang[2]
- Sapuan[2]
- Makong[2]
- Sok[2]
- Sou[2]
- Souei
- Taliang[2]
- Ta-oi[2]
- Vietnamese (population of 76,000 in Laos)[2]
- Yae[4]
Palaungic
Khmuic
- Khmu (population of 389,694 in Laos)[2]
- Khuen (population of approximately 8,000 in Laos)[2]
- Mal (population of 23,200 in Laos)[2]
- Mlabri (population of 24 in Laos,[2] also known as the Yumbri)
- O'du[2]
- Phai (population of 15,000 in Laos)[2]
- Xinh Mul (population of 3,164 in Laos, including Phong-Kniang and Puoc, also known as the Sing Mun)[5]
Tibeto-Burman
Hmong-Mien
Tai and Rau
Chinese
Unclassified
Below are some ethnic groups of Laos who speak unclassified languages, listed roughly from north to south.[8] District codes are also given (see districts of Laos).
Unclassified languages of Laos
Ethnolinguistic group |
Population |
Possible linguistic affiliation |
Locations |
Poumong |
1,000 |
? |
Boun-Tai (2-07) and Khoa (2-03) districts, southern Phongsali Province |
Pouhoy |
200 (1995; 35 families)[6] |
Oy, Katuic? |
Kang Village, Namo District (4-03), northern Oudomxai Province |
Taket |
<1000[6] |
Austro-Asiatic?[6] |
Nambak District (6-05), Luang Prabang Province |
Tamoy |
500 (< 15 villages) |
Palaungic, Khmuic? |
Viangphoukha District (3-04), Luang Namtha Province |
Nguan |
30,000 |
Lametic, Palaungic? |
Nale (3-05), Viangphoukha (3-04), and Luang Namtha (3-01) districts of Luang Namtha Province, near the Khuen, Lamet, and Khmu Rok peoples; also in Houayxay District (5-01), Bokeo Province |
Salao |
800 |
Ethnic Lao[6] |
Pakxong District (16-04), Champasak Province |
See also
References