Ethnic groups in Russia
The 2021 census recorded a total population of 147,182,123 people living in Russia. Only 130,045,163 individuals chose to declare their nationality during that count. This left over 17 million people without an ethnic declaration on the official record. The number of declared Russians stood at 105,579,179, representing 71.76% of those who identified themselves. In 1926, the Russian population numbered 71,374,283 and made up 78.1% of the total. By 1939, this figure had risen to 89,747,795, accounting for 82.9%. The percentage continued climbing through the Soviet era before beginning a slow decline after 1959. Tatars formed the second largest group with 4,713,669 people in 2021. Chechens followed as the third largest group with 1,674,854 members. Bashkirs came fourth with 1,571,879 individuals. Chuvashs were fifth with 1,067,139 people. Avars rounded out the top five minorities with 1,012,074 citizens. Ukrainians dropped from 6,870,976 in 1926 to just 884,007 by 2021. This represents a massive shift over nearly a century.
The 2021 census categorized populations into four broad ethno-racial groups based on genetic and geographic origins. Europeans numbered 107,750,000 and comprised 82.86% of those who declared ethnicity. This category included Russians, Ukrainians, Mordvins, Belarusians, Germans, and others. Caucasians totaled 8,704,000 people or 6.69%. This distinct cluster contained Chechens, Dagestanis, Armenians, Circassians, Ingush, Ossetians, and related groups. Eurasians made up 8,679,000 individuals at 6.67%. They were predominantly European but carried about 10% Asiatic admixture. Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvashs, Mari, Udmurts, and similar peoples fell here. Asiatics and Central Asians accounted for 3,386,000 citizens representing 2.6%. Romani people numbered 173,412 and formed 0.13% of the total. Jews represented 84,481 people or 0.06%. Arab, North African, and Middle Eastern groups combined to 74,160 members. Mixed Race, Mestizo, and Mulatto populations reached 18,413 individuals. Black African residents totaled 4,661 people. Other answers filled out 153,576 entries.
The constitution of Russia recognizes Russian as the official language while allowing republics to declare additional official languages. Many subjects maintain two or more official tongues alongside Russian. Over 1,350 newspapers and magazines operate in minority languages across the country. Three hundred television channels broadcast content in these diverse tongues. Two hundred fifty radio stations serve communities speaking local dialects. New legislation permits the use of minority languages on federal radio and television networks. In 2007, 6,260 schools provided instruction in thirty-eight different minority languages. More than seventy-five minority languages were taught as academic disciplines within ten thousand four hundred schools. The Council of Europe noted significant efforts to improve textbook availability and teacher supply for these programs. Shortcomings remain regarding access to education for certain minority groups. Over two thousand national minorities' public associations exist today. Five hundred sixty national cultural autonomies function across the federation. State support for preserving and developing minority cultures remains inadequate in many regions. Resources are relatively limited for nationalities without their own designated territory.
Small indigenous peoples of the North and Far East maintain traditional lifestyles despite hazardous climatic conditions. These communities adapted to modern life after the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia passed specific legislation to protect rights of these small northern indigenous peoples following that political shift. Gil-Robles documented agreements between indigenous representatives and oil companies. These contracts aim to compensate potential damages caused by oil exploration activities. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe observed issues in 2007. Recent legislative amendments removed some positive measures regarding land access and natural resource usage. Social and economic situations for numerically small indigenous peoples suffered from these changes. Despite development initiatives, challenges persist for these distinct groups living in extreme environments.
Ethnic Russians have been in slight decline since the 1950s according to historical data. Future projections suggest this trend will continue due to below replacement fertility rates and population aging. Ivan Beloborodov released rough population estimates in 2010 projecting trends through 2030. His calculations indicated the percentage of ethnic Russians would decrease to around 60% or 70% of the total population. This demographic shift represents a significant change from earlier centuries when Russians dominated the census figures. Other minority groups show varying growth patterns compared to the main Slavic majority. Some populations like Chechens and Dargins are expanding faster than others. The overall mix of ethnicities within the Russian Federation is set to transform far into the future.
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Common questions
What was the total population of Russia in the 2021 census?
The 2021 census recorded a total population of 147,182,123 people living in Russia. Only 130,045,163 individuals chose to declare their nationality during that count.
Which ethnic group is the second largest in Russia according to the 2021 census data?
Tatars formed the second largest group with 4,713,669 people in 2021. Chechens followed as the third largest group with 1,674,854 members.
How many minority languages were taught in schools across Russia in 2007?
In 2007, 6,260 schools provided instruction in thirty-eight different minority languages. More than seventy-five minority languages were taught as academic disciplines within ten thousand four hundred schools.
When did the percentage of ethnic Russians begin to decline after reaching its peak?
The percentage continued climbing through the Soviet era before beginning a slow decline after 1959. Ethnic Russians have been in slight decline since the 1950s according to historical data.
What legislation protects small indigenous peoples of the North and Far East in Russia?
Russia passed specific legislation to protect rights of these small northern indigenous peoples following the fall of the Soviet Union. Recent legislative amendments removed some positive measures regarding land access and natural resource usage.