The following is a list of ethnic groupsinLaos.
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 Lao authorities.[1] These 160 ethnic groups speak a total of 82 distinct living languages.[2]
Below are some ethnic groups of Laos who speak unclassified languages, listed roughly from north to south.[9] District codes are also given (see districts of Laos).
| Ethnolinguistic group | Population | Possible linguistic affiliation | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poumong | 1,000 | Tibeto-Burman (Phunyot)[10] | Ban Phoumon. Boun-Tai (2-07) and Khoa (2-03) districts, southern Phongsaly Province |
| Pouhoy | 200 (1995; 35 families)[6] | Oy, Katuic? | Kang Village, Namo District (4-03), northern Oudomxai Province |
| Taket | < 1,000[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 |
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| |
|---|---|
| Lao-Tai |
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| Vietic |
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| Khmer |
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| Katuic |
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| Bahnaric |
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| Khmu-Palaungic |
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| Hmong–Mien |
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| Tibeto-Burman |
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| Other |
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| General grouping |
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|---|---|
| Sovereign states |
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| States with limited recognition |
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| Dependencies and other territories |
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