How Many Ethnic Groups Are There in Russia: A Melting Pot of Multiculturalism
As the largest country in the world, Russia not only has a vast territory, but also has an extremely rich ethnic composition. According to the latest statistics, there are a total ofMore than 190 ethnic groups, among which Russians account for about 80% of the total population, and other ethnic groups constitute a unique cultural diversity. The following is a detailed analysis of the ethnic makeup of Russia.
1. Distribution of major ethnic groups in Russia

The distribution of ethnic groups in Russia shows obvious regional differences. The following are the top 10 most populous ethnic groups and their proportions:
| nation | Proportion of population (approximately) | Main distribution areas |
|---|---|---|
| Russian | 80% | Nationwide |
| Tatar | 3.7% | Republic of Tatarstan, Volga region |
| Ukrainian | 1.4% | border areas, big cities |
| Bashkirs | 1.1% | republic of bashkortostan |
| Chuvash | 1.0% | Republic of Chuvash |
| Chechen | 0.9% | Chechen Republic |
| Armenian | 0.8% | Krasnodar Territory, Stavropol Territory |
| Moldovan | 0.7% | southwest region |
| Belarusian | 0.6% | western border area |
| Avars | 0.5% | Republic of Dagestan |
2. Cultural characteristics of Russian ethnic minorities
Russia's ethnic minorities retain unique languages, religions and traditional customs. For example:
1.Tatar: Mainly believes in Islam, and the traditional festival "Sabantui" is an important cultural symbol.
2.Bashkirs: Famous for its nomadic culture, the traditional musical instrument "Kulai" is its cultural symbol.
3.Chuvash: Retaining a large number of original religious beliefs, folk art and embroidery are unique.
4.Chechen: Mainly mountain culture, the traditional dance and martial arts "Zikrit" are well known.
3. Russia’s Ethnicity Policy
The Russian government protects the rights and interests of ethnic minorities through the following measures:
| policy areas | Specific measures |
|---|---|
| language protection | 22 minority languages enjoy official status |
| education | Implement bilingual education in minority areas |
| culture | Establish national cultural autonomous organizations |
| regional autonomy | 22 ethnic republics were established |
4. The historical background of the Russian nation’s composition
Russia's multi-ethnic status is the result of historical development:
1.Tsarist Russia period: Absorbed many ethnic groups through territorial expansion.
2.soviet period: The ethnic demarcation policy formed the modern ethnic distribution pattern.
3.modern russia: Population mobility and ethnic integration continue.
5. The future development trend of the Russian nation
The current development of the Russian nation presents the following characteristics:
1. Acceleration of ethnic integration in the process of urbanization
2. The population of some ethnic minorities continues to decrease.
3. Increased awareness of national cultural protection
4. The proportion of cross-ethnic marriages is increasing
Russia's ethnic diversity is its important cultural wealth and an important issue in national governance. Understanding the ethnic makeup of Russia helps us better understand this huge country spanning Eurasia.
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