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. For the purposes of the 1995 census, the government of Laos recognized 149 ethnic groups within 47 main ethnicities. whereas the Lao Front for National Construction recently revised the list to include 49 ethnicities consisting of over 160 ethnic groups.
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. These 160 ethnic groups speak a total of 82 distinct living languages.

Mon-Khmer

Below are some ethnic groups of Laos who speak unclassified languages, listed roughly from north to south. District codes are also given.
Ethnolinguistic groupPopulationPossible linguistic affiliationLocations
Poumong1,000Tibeto-Burman Ban Phoumon. Boun-Tai and Khoa districts, southern Phongsali Province
Pouhoy200 Oy, Katuic?Kang Village, Namo District, northern Oudomxai Province
Taket< 1,000Austro-Asiatic?Nambak District, Luang Prabang Province
Tamoy500 Palaungic, Khmuic?Viangphoukha District, Luang Namtha Province
Nguan30,000Lametic, Palaungic?Nale, Viangphoukha, and Luang Namtha districts of Luang Namtha Province, near the Khuen, Lamet, and Khmu Rok peoples; also in Houayxay District, Bokeo Province
Salao800Ethnic LaoPakxong District, Champasak Province