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The Lao people are a Tai ethnic group native to Southeast Asia. They primarily speak the Lao language, which belongs to the Kra–Dai language family. Lao people constitute the majority ethnic group of Laos, comprising 53.2% of the country's total population. They are also found in significant numbers in northeastern Thailand, particularly in ...
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]
Lao social structures are comparatively simpler than in neighboring Cambodia or Thailand, which is a logical outgrowth considering the ethnic diversity of Laos. Lao Theung and Lao Sung groups were outside the traditional class structures, but together made up a large portion of the population.
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. [11] These 160 ethnic groups speak a total of 82 distinct living languages. [12] Lao 53.2%, Khmu 11%, Hmong 9.2%, and other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26.6% (2015 census). [13]
There are about over 200,000 ethnic Lao in America. Approximately 8,000 to 11,000 Americans are of mixed Lao and other descent. Ethnic Lao people may identify as both Lao American and Laotian American (see also Hmong American). [6]
There are an estimated 14,900 ethnic Lao living in Vietnam, mostly in the northern provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien and Son La. [5] Laotian presence in the country has a long history and was accelerated during the French colonization of Indochina , when Laotian students were able to move to Hanoi and receive higher education at the city's ...
Laotian Chams are an Cham ethnic group living in Laos and holding Laotian citizenship. Most live in the Laotian capital, Vientiane , also in Champasak in southern Laos. They are the Western Cham -speakers related to the present-day Cambodian Chams .
The Khmu were the indigenous inhabitants of northern Laos. It is generally believed the Khmu once inhabited a much larger area. After the influx of Thai/Lao peoples into the lowlands of Southeast Asia, the Khmu were forced to higher ground (), above the rice-growing lowland Lao and below the Hmong/Mien groups that inhabit the highest regions, where they practiced swidden agriculture. [5]