Introduction
The racial diversity of a country can be determined by the percentage of the population belonging to different racial groups. Liberia is the most racially diverse country with a racial diversity of 88.9%, followed by Uganda with 88.3%, and Togo with 88%. The remaining most diverse countries in the top ten are Nepal, South Africa, Chad, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Guinea-Bissau. These countries are predominantly located in Africa.
It is worth noting that several factors contribute to a country’s racial diversity, including historical events, immigration, and social policies. For instance, many African countries were colonized by European countries, creating a multicultural society. Similarly, many Asian countries have diverse ethnic groups due to their historical and cultural background. Additionally, social policies, such as affirmative action, can promote diversity by providing opportunities for minority groups.
Racial Diversity by Country
# | Country | Racial Diversity |
---|---|---|
1 | Liberia | 88.9% |
2 | Uganda | 88.3% |
3 | Togo | 88% |
4 | Nepal | 86% |
5 | South Africa | 85.6% |
6 | Chad | 85.5% |
7 | Kenya | 85.5% |
8 | Mali | 85.2% |
9 | Nigeria | 85% |
10 | Guinea-Bissau | 80.8% |
11 | Philippines | 80.7% |
12 | Indonesia | 80.3% |
13 | East Timor | 80.2% |
14 | Sierra Leone | 80.1% |
15 | Malawi | 79.1% |
16 | Central African Republic | 79% |
17 | Gabon | 78.9% |
18 | Ethiopia | 78.3% |
19 | Angola | 77.9% |
20 | Burkina Faso | 76.7% |
21 | Kuwait | 76.5% |
22 | Benin | 76.4% |
23 | Afghanistan | 76.3% |
24 | The Gambia | 76.2% |
25 | Namibia | 76% |
26 | Pakistan | 74.8% |
27 | Senegal | 74.7% |
28 | Sudan | 74.6% |
29 | Iran | 74.3% |
30 | Ghana | 73.6% |
31 | Ivory Coast | 73.1% |
32 | Canada | 73% |
33 | Guinea | 72.7% |
34 | Mauritania | 71.3% |
35 | Qatar | 70.8% |
36 | Zambia | 70.6% |
37 | Republic of the Congo | 70.4% |
38 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 70% |
39 | Guyana | 69.5% |
40 | United Arab Emirates | 68.4% |
41 | Spain | 66.9% |
42 | Niger | 66.6% |
43 | Eritrea | 65.9% |
44 | Trinidad and Tobago | 65.5% |
45 | Bhutan | 65.1% |
46 | Djibouti | 64.9% |
47 | Colombia | 63.9% |
48 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 63.7% |
49 | Laos | 63.4% |
50 | Peru | 61.8% |
51 | Panama | 61.2% |
52 | Oman | 59.7% |
53 | Belgium | 59.2% |
54 | Tanzania | 59.1% |
55 | Myanmar | 59% |
56 | Mexico | 58.7% |
57 | Bahrain | 58.2% |
58 | Bolivia | 57.2% |
59 | Malaysia | 57% |
60 | Morocco | 56.6% |
61 | Republic of Macedonia | 56.2% |
62 | Brazil | 55.9% |
63 | Latvia | 54.7% |
64 | Nicaragua | 54.4% |
65 | Kazakhstan | 53.8% |
66 | Ecuador | 52.8% |
67 | Fiji | 52.8% |
68 | United States of America | 52.7% |
69 | Turkey | 52.1% |
70 | Venezuela | 52% |
71 | Cuba | 51.7% |
72 | Guatemala | 51.1% |
73 | Kyrgyzstan | 48.7% |
74 | New Zealand | 48.5% |
75 | Mauritius | 46.6% |
76 | Estonia | 45.8% |
77 | Dominican Republic | 45.3% |
78 | Iraq | 44.6% |
79 | Chile | 43.9% |
80 | Moldova | 42.7% |
81 | Zimbabwe | 41.5% |
82 | United Kingdom | 39.9% |
83 | Costa Rica | 39.8% |
84 | Serbia | 39.6% |
85 | Botswana | 39.5% |
86 | Singapore | 39.5% |
87 | Israel | 37.6% |
88 | Russia | 37.6% |
89 | Taiwan | 37.3% |
90 | Algeria | 37.2% |
91 | Ukraine | 37% |
92 | Georgia | 36.7% |
93 | Switzerland | 36.7% |
94 | Tajikistan | 36.7% |
95 | Netherlands | 35.4% |
96 | Thailand | 35.2% |
97 | Cyprus | 34.7% |
98 | Sri Lanka | 32.3% |
99 | Mongolia | 31.5% |
100 | Lesotho | 31.3% |
101 | Uzbekistan | 31.3% |
102 | Belarus | 30.9% |
103 | Burundi | 30.8% |
104 | Bulgaria | 28.9% |
105 | Lithuania | 28.4% |
106 | Rwanda | 28% |
107 | Australia | 27.6% |
108 | Vietnam | 26.3% |
109 | Czech Republic | 26.2% |
110 | Libya | 25.9% |
111 | Slovenia | 25.8% |
112 | Turkmenistan | 25.5% |
113 | Austria | 24.8% |
114 | Slovakia | 24.1% |
115 | Hungary | 23.2% |
116 | Honduras | 22.9% |
117 | Saudi Arabia | 22.4% |
118 | Somalia | 22.2% |
119 | Portugal | 22% |
120 | Sweden | 21.9% |
121 | Syria | 21.3% |
122 | Jamaica | 21% |
123 | Romania | 20.7% |
124 | Madagascar | 19.4% |
125 | People's Republic of China | 19% |
126 | Germany | 18.9% |
127 | Paraguay | 17.9% |
128 | Denmark | 17.7% |
129 | Uruguay | 17.6% |
130 | Ireland | 17.4% |
131 | Croatia | 17.1% |
132 | Greece | 16.7% |
133 | El Salvador | 16.5% |
134 | Argentina | 15.8% |
135 | Cambodia | 15.8% |
136 | Norway | 15.1% |
137 | Albania | 13.9% |
138 | Finland | 13.8% |
139 | Lebanon | 13.3% |
140 | Yemen | 12.6% |
141 | Azerbaijan | 12.2% |
142 | Italy | 11% |
143 | Haiti | 10.5% |
144 | Solomon Islands | 9.7% |
145 | South Korea | 9.5% |
146 | Poland | 6.9% |
147 | Comoros | 5.4% |
148 | Armenia | 4.5% |
149 | Jordan | 4.4% |
150 | Egypt | 4.1% |
151 | Tunisia | 3.4% |
152 | Bangladesh | 2.5% |
153 | North Korea | 2% |
154 | Japan | 1.9% |
Most Diverse Countries
The ten most diverse countries are Liberia, Uganda, Togo, Nepal, South Africa, Chad, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Guinea-Bissau. The most diverse country in the world is Liberia, with a racial diversity of 88.9%. Uganda follows closely behind, with a racial diversity of 88.3%. Togo is the third most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 88%. Nepal, with a racial diversity of 86%, is the fourth most diverse country. T South Africa, with a racial diversity of 85.6%, has a diverse population consisting of various races, including Black, White, Indian, and Asian. Chad and Kenya, both with a racial diversity of 85.5%, are known for their diverse ethnic groups and languages. Mali is the eighth most racially diverse country, with a racial diversity of 85.2%. Nigeria, with a racial diversity of 85%, is the most populous country in Africa and has over 500 ethnic groups. Finally, Guinea-Bissau, with a racial diversity of 80.8%, is the tenth most diverse country in the world.
The ten most diverse countries in the world are:
1. Liberia – 88.9%
2. Uganda – 88.3%
3. Togo – 88%
4. Nepal – 86%
5. South Africa – 85.6%
6. Chad – 85.5%
7. Kenya – 85.5%
8. Mali – 85.2%
9. Nigeria – 85%
10. Guinea-Bissau – 80.8%
Most Diverse Country
Liberia is the most diverse country in the world due to its high racial diversity rate of 88.9%. The country’s history of colonization and the presence of freed slaves from the United States has led to a unique blend of cultures and ethnicities. Additionally, the country is home to more than 16 distinct ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture, language, and customs. Liberia has a long history of political turmoil and social unrest, but the country’s commitment to unity and inclusivity is reflected in its diverse population.
Source
The data used in this page comes from the Historical Index of Ethnic Fractionalization Dataset (HIEF), which is publicly available through the Harvard Dataverse. The HIEF is a dataset that provides measures of ethnic fractionalization for 165 countries from 1945 to 2013. It is a widely used resource for scholars researching ethnic diversity and conflict. The dataset is created by computing a percentage that ranges from 0% (complete homogeneity) to 100% (complete fragmentation) based on the proportion of each ethnic group in the total population.
Diversity by Country
Afghanistan
Racial Diversity
76.3%
Ranked in the World
#23
Albania
Racial Diversity
13.9%
Ranked in the World
#137
Algeria
Racial Diversity
37.2%
Ranked in the World
#90
Angola
Racial Diversity
77.9%
Ranked in the World
#19
Argentina
Racial Diversity
15.8%
Ranked in the World
#134
Armenia
Racial Diversity
4.5%
Ranked in the World
#148
Armenia is one of the most homogenous countries, with a racial diversity of 4.5%. The vast majority of the population is made up of ethnic Armenians, with smaller groups of Yezidis and Russians. This can be attributed to Armenia's history of being a relatively isolated country, with few waves of immigration or cultural exchange over time.
Australia
Racial Diversity
27.6%
Ranked in the World
#107
Austria
Racial Diversity
24.8%
Ranked in the World
#113
Azerbaijan
Racial Diversity
12.2%
Ranked in the World
#141
Bahrain
Racial Diversity
58.2%
Ranked in the World
#57
Bangladesh
Racial Diversity
2.5%
Ranked in the World
#152
Bangladesh is one of the least racially diverse countries, with a racial diversity of 2.5%. The vast majority of the population is Bengali, with small ethnic groups of indigenous people and non-Bengali Muslims. Bangladesh's geographic isolation and historical emphasis on Bengali nationalism have contributed to the country's lack of racial diversity.
Belarus
Racial Diversity
30.9%
Ranked in the World
#102
Belgium
Racial Diversity
59.2%
Ranked in the World
#53
Benin
Racial Diversity
76.4%
Ranked in the World
#22
Bhutan
Racial Diversity
65.1%
Ranked in the World
#45
Bolivia
Racial Diversity
57.2%
Ranked in the World
#58
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Racial Diversity
63.7%
Ranked in the World
#48
Botswana
Racial Diversity
39.5%
Ranked in the World
#85
Brazil
Racial Diversity
55.9%
Ranked in the World
#62
Bulgaria
Racial Diversity
28.9%
Ranked in the World
#104
Burkina Faso
Racial Diversity
76.7%
Ranked in the World
#20
Burundi
Racial Diversity
30.8%
Ranked in the World
#103
Cambodia
Racial Diversity
15.8%
Ranked in the World
#135
Canada
Racial Diversity
73%
Ranked in the World
#32
Central African Republic
Racial Diversity
79%
Ranked in the World
#16
Chad
Racial Diversity
85.5%
Ranked in the World
#6
Chad is the sixth most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 85.5%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its location at the crossroads of different ethnic groups from West and Central Africa, as well as the influence of Islam and traditional African religions.
Chile
Racial Diversity
43.9%
Ranked in the World
#79
Colombia
Racial Diversity
63.9%
Ranked in the World
#47
Comoros
Racial Diversity
5.4%
Ranked in the World
#147
Comoros, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is another one of the most homogenous countries with a racial diversity of 5.4%. The majority of the population is made up of people of African and Arab descent, with small numbers of Malagasy and Indian ethnic groups. This can be attributed to the country's geographic isolation and limited immigration throughout history.
Costa Rica
Racial Diversity
39.8%
Ranked in the World
#83
Croatia
Racial Diversity
17.1%
Ranked in the World
#131
Cuba
Racial Diversity
51.7%
Ranked in the World
#71
Cyprus
Racial Diversity
34.7%
Ranked in the World
#97
Czech Republic
Racial Diversity
26.2%
Ranked in the World
#109
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Racial Diversity
70%
Ranked in the World
#38
Denmark
Racial Diversity
17.7%
Ranked in the World
#128
Djibouti
Racial Diversity
64.9%
Ranked in the World
#46
Dominican Republic
Racial Diversity
45.3%
Ranked in the World
#77
East Timor
Racial Diversity
80.2%
Ranked in the World
#13
Ecuador
Racial Diversity
52.8%
Ranked in the World
#66
Egypt
Racial Diversity
4.1%
Ranked in the World
#150
Egypt is one of the least diverse countries in the world, with a racial diversity of 4.1%. The vast majority of Egyptians are of Arab ethnicity, with small numbers of ethnic minorities such as Nubians, Bedouins, and Beja. Egypt's geographic location at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, coupled with its history of Arabization and political dominance by Arabs, have contributed to its relatively low racial diversity.
El Salvador
Racial Diversity
16.5%
Ranked in the World
#133
Eritrea
Racial Diversity
65.9%
Ranked in the World
#43
Estonia
Racial Diversity
45.8%
Ranked in the World
#76
Ethiopia
Racial Diversity
78.3%
Ranked in the World
#18
Fiji
Racial Diversity
52.8%
Ranked in the World
#67
Finland
Racial Diversity
13.8%
Ranked in the World
#138
Gabon
Racial Diversity
78.9%
Ranked in the World
#17
Georgia
Racial Diversity
36.7%
Ranked in the World
#92
Germany
Racial Diversity
18.9%
Ranked in the World
#126
Ghana
Racial Diversity
73.6%
Ranked in the World
#30
Greece
Racial Diversity
16.7%
Ranked in the World
#132
Guatemala
Racial Diversity
51.1%
Ranked in the World
#72
Guinea
Racial Diversity
72.7%
Ranked in the World
#33
Guinea-Bissau
Racial Diversity
80.8%
Ranked in the World
#10
Guinea-Bissau is the tenth most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 80.8%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its history of colonization and the mixing of different races and ethnicities.
Guyana
Racial Diversity
69.5%
Ranked in the World
#39
Haiti
Racial Diversity
10.5%
Ranked in the World
#143
Honduras
Racial Diversity
22.9%
Ranked in the World
#116
Hungary
Racial Diversity
23.2%
Ranked in the World
#115
Indonesia
Racial Diversity
80.3%
Ranked in the World
#12
Iran
Racial Diversity
74.3%
Ranked in the World
#29
Iraq
Racial Diversity
44.6%
Ranked in the World
#78
Ireland
Racial Diversity
17.4%
Ranked in the World
#130
Israel
Racial Diversity
37.6%
Ranked in the World
#87
Italy
Racial Diversity
11%
Ranked in the World
#142
Ivory Coast
Racial Diversity
73.1%
Ranked in the World
#31
Jamaica
Racial Diversity
21%
Ranked in the World
#122
Japan
Racial Diversity
1.9%
Ranked in the World
#154
Japan is one of the least diverse countries, with a racial diversity of 1.9%. The overwhelming majority of Japan's population is of Japanese ethnicity, with very small numbers of foreign residents. Japan's isolationist policies until the late 19th century, followed by strict immigration laws, have contributed to the country's homogeneity.
Jordan
Racial Diversity
4.4%
Ranked in the World
#149
Jordan is one of the most homogenous countries, with a racial diversity of 4.4%. This can be attributed to the fact that the majority of Jordan's population is made up of Arab ethnic groups, with small minorities of Circassians, Armenians, and other groups. Additionally, Jordan has not experienced significant waves of immigration or cultural exchange that would have increased its racial diversity over time.
Kazakhstan
Racial Diversity
53.8%
Ranked in the World
#65
Kenya
Racial Diversity
85.5%
Ranked in the World
#7
Kenya is the seventh most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 85.5%. The country's diversity can be attributed to the presence of over 40 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and language.
Kuwait
Racial Diversity
76.5%
Ranked in the World
#21
Kyrgyzstan
Racial Diversity
48.7%
Ranked in the World
#73
Laos
Racial Diversity
63.4%
Ranked in the World
#49
Latvia
Racial Diversity
54.7%
Ranked in the World
#63
Lebanon
Racial Diversity
13.3%
Ranked in the World
#139
Lesotho
Racial Diversity
31.3%
Ranked in the World
#100
Liberia
Racial Diversity
88.9%
Ranked in the World
#1
Liberia is the most diverse country in the world, with a racial diversity of 88.9%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its history of being a settlement for freed slaves from the United States, as well as the presence of indigenous African tribes.
Libya
Racial Diversity
25.9%
Ranked in the World
#110
Lithuania
Racial Diversity
28.4%
Ranked in the World
#105
Madagascar
Racial Diversity
19.4%
Ranked in the World
#124
Malawi
Racial Diversity
79.1%
Ranked in the World
#15
Malaysia
Racial Diversity
57%
Ranked in the World
#59
Mali
Racial Diversity
85.2%
Ranked in the World
#8
Mali is the eighth most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 85.2%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its location at the crossroads of different ethnic groups from West Africa and the Sahara, as well as the influence of Islam and traditional African religions.
Mauritania
Racial Diversity
71.3%
Ranked in the World
#34
Mauritius
Racial Diversity
46.6%
Ranked in the World
#75
Mexico
Racial Diversity
58.7%
Ranked in the World
#56
Moldova
Racial Diversity
42.7%
Ranked in the World
#80
Mongolia
Racial Diversity
31.5%
Ranked in the World
#99
Morocco
Racial Diversity
56.6%
Ranked in the World
#60
Myanmar
Racial Diversity
59%
Ranked in the World
#55
Namibia
Racial Diversity
76%
Ranked in the World
#25
Nepal
Racial Diversity
86%
Ranked in the World
#4
Nepal is the fourth most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 86%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its location at the meeting point of different ethnic groups from India, China, and Central Asia, as well as the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Netherlands
Racial Diversity
35.4%
Ranked in the World
#95
New Zealand
Racial Diversity
48.5%
Ranked in the World
#74
Nicaragua
Racial Diversity
54.4%
Ranked in the World
#64
Niger
Racial Diversity
66.6%
Ranked in the World
#42
Nigeria
Racial Diversity
85%
Ranked in the World
#9
Nigeria is the ninth most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 85%. The country's diversity can be attributed to the presence of over 250 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and language.
North Korea
Racial Diversity
2%
Ranked in the World
#153
North Korea is one of the least diverse countries, with only 2% of its population belonging to ethnic minorities. The majority of the population is composed of Koreans, with very small numbers of Chinese, Japanese, and others. North Korea's government strictly controls the movement of people in and out of the country, limiting any potential influx of diverse populations.
Norway
Racial Diversity
15.1%
Ranked in the World
#136
Oman
Racial Diversity
59.7%
Ranked in the World
#52
Pakistan
Racial Diversity
74.8%
Ranked in the World
#26
Panama
Racial Diversity
61.2%
Ranked in the World
#51
Paraguay
Racial Diversity
17.9%
Ranked in the World
#127
People's Republic of China
Racial Diversity
19%
Ranked in the World
#125
Peru
Racial Diversity
61.8%
Ranked in the World
#50
Philippines
Racial Diversity
80.7%
Ranked in the World
#11
Poland
Racial Diversity
6.9%
Ranked in the World
#146
Poland is also one of the most homogenous countries, with a racial diversity of 6.9%. The majority of the population is made up of ethnic Poles, with small numbers of Silesians, Kashubians, and other groups. This can be attributed to the country's history of political and geographic isolation, which limited immigration and cultural exchange.
Portugal
Racial Diversity
22%
Ranked in the World
#119
Qatar
Racial Diversity
70.8%
Ranked in the World
#35
Republic of Macedonia
Racial Diversity
56.2%
Ranked in the World
#61
Republic of the Congo
Racial Diversity
70.4%
Ranked in the World
#37
Romania
Racial Diversity
20.7%
Ranked in the World
#123
Russia
Racial Diversity
37.6%
Ranked in the World
#88
Rwanda
Racial Diversity
28%
Ranked in the World
#106
Saudi Arabia
Racial Diversity
22.4%
Ranked in the World
#117
Senegal
Racial Diversity
74.7%
Ranked in the World
#27
Serbia
Racial Diversity
39.6%
Ranked in the World
#84
Sierra Leone
Racial Diversity
80.1%
Ranked in the World
#14
Singapore
Racial Diversity
39.5%
Ranked in the World
#86
Slovakia
Racial Diversity
24.1%
Ranked in the World
#114
Slovenia
Racial Diversity
25.8%
Ranked in the World
#111
Solomon Islands
Racial Diversity
9.7%
Ranked in the World
#144
Somalia
Racial Diversity
22.2%
Ranked in the World
#118
South Africa
Racial Diversity
85.6%
Ranked in the World
#5
South Africa is the fifth most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 85.6%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its history of colonization and apartheid, which led to the mixing of different races and ethnicities.
South Korea
Racial Diversity
9.5%
Ranked in the World
#145
South Korea is one of the most homogenous countries in East Asia, with a racial diversity of 9.5%. The vast majority of the population is made up of ethnic Koreans, with small numbers of Chinese and other groups. This can be attributed to the country's history of being relatively isolated from the rest of the world until the late 19th century, and its subsequent emphasis on ethnic homogeneity as a key aspect of national identity.
Spain
Racial Diversity
66.9%
Ranked in the World
#41
Sri Lanka
Racial Diversity
32.3%
Ranked in the World
#98
Sudan
Racial Diversity
74.6%
Ranked in the World
#28
Sweden
Racial Diversity
21.9%
Ranked in the World
#120
Switzerland
Racial Diversity
36.7%
Ranked in the World
#93
Syria
Racial Diversity
21.3%
Ranked in the World
#121
Taiwan
Racial Diversity
37.3%
Ranked in the World
#89
Tajikistan
Racial Diversity
36.7%
Ranked in the World
#94
Tanzania
Racial Diversity
59.1%
Ranked in the World
#54
Thailand
Racial Diversity
35.2%
Ranked in the World
#96
The Gambia
Racial Diversity
76.2%
Ranked in the World
#24
Togo
Racial Diversity
88%
Ranked in the World
#3
Togo is the third most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 88%. The country's diversity can be attributed to its location at the crossroads of West and Central Africa, which has led to the mixing of different cultures and ethnicities.
Trinidad and Tobago
Racial Diversity
65.5%
Ranked in the World
#44
Tunisia
Racial Diversity
3.4%
Ranked in the World
#151
Tunisia is one of the least diverse countries, with only 3.4% of its population belonging to ethnic minorities. The majority of Tunisians are Arab-Berber, with very small numbers of ethnic minorities such as Jewish and Black Tunisians. Tunisia's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and its history of colonization by different powers have contributed to its relatively low racial diversity.
Turkey
Racial Diversity
52.1%
Ranked in the World
#69
Turkmenistan
Racial Diversity
25.5%
Ranked in the World
#112
Uganda
Racial Diversity
88.3%
Ranked in the World
#2
Uganda is the second most diverse country, with a racial diversity of 88.3%. Its diversity can be attributed to the presence of over 50 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and language.
Ukraine
Racial Diversity
37%
Ranked in the World
#91
United Arab Emirates
Racial Diversity
68.4%
Ranked in the World
#40
United Kingdom
Racial Diversity
39.9%
Ranked in the World
#82
United States of America
Racial Diversity
52.7%
Ranked in the World
#68
Uruguay
Racial Diversity
17.6%
Ranked in the World
#129
Uzbekistan
Racial Diversity
31.3%
Ranked in the World
#101
Venezuela
Racial Diversity
52%
Ranked in the World
#70
Vietnam
Racial Diversity
26.3%
Ranked in the World
#108
Yemen
Racial Diversity
12.6%
Ranked in the World
#140
Zambia
Racial Diversity
70.6%
Ranked in the World
#36
Zimbabwe
Racial Diversity
41.5%
Ranked in the World
#81
FAQs
What is the most diverse country ?
Liberia is the most diverse country in the world with a racial diversity of 88.9%.
Need to survey a highly targeted audience?
Talk to our Experts