The following is a list ofethnic groups inLaos.
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 theLao Front for National Construction (LFNC) recently revised the list to include 49 ethnicities consisting of over 160 ethnic groups.[1]
The termethnic minorities is used by some to classify the non-Lao ethnic groups, while the termindigenous peoples is not used by Lao authorities.[1] These 160 ethnic groups speak a total of 73 distinct living languages as of 2025.[2]
Below are some ethnic groups of Laos who speak unclassified languages, listed roughly from north to south.[11] District codes are also given (seedistricts of Laos).
| Ethnolinguistic group | Population | Possible linguistic affiliation | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poumong | 1,000 | Tibeto-Burman (Phunyot)[12] | Ban Phoumon. Boun-Tai (2-07) and Khoa (2-03) districts, southern Phongsaly Province |
| Pouhoy | 200 (1995; 35 families)[8] | Oy, Katuic? | Kang Village, Namo District (4-03), northern Oudomxai Province |
| Taket | < 1,000[8] | Austro-Asiatic?[8] | 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[8] | Pakxong District (16-04), Champasak Province |
| Lao-Tai | |
|---|---|
| Vietic | |
| Khmeric | |
| Katuic | |
| Bahnaric | |
| Khmu-Palaungic | |
| Hmong–Mien | |
| Tibeto-Burman | |
| Austronesian | |
| Other | |
| General grouping |
|
