5 Most Diverse Countries in Asia

In this article, we will list the 5 most diverse countries in Asia. If you want to read our discussion about diversity in the United States and its benefits, go to the 20 Most Diverse Countries in Asia.

5 – Afghanistan

Ethnic Fractionalization – 76%

Afghanistan is among the top five most diverse countries in Asia. While Pashtuns form the majority in the country, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Baloch are significant minorities. However, it is important to note that the country has not conducted a census since 1979. So, the actual ethnic composition of the country might have changed.

4 – Kuwait

Ethnic Fractionalization – 77%

Kuwait is fourth on our list of the 20 most diverse countries in Asia. While more than 57% of its population is Arab, ethnic minorities in the country include Africans and people from other parts of Asia. It is interesting to note that less than half of its Arab population is from the Arabian Peninsula.

3 – Indonesia

Ethnic Fractionalization – 80%

With an ethnic fractionalization of 80%, Indonesia is one of the top 3 most diverse countries in Asia. It is also an ethnic majority-minority country, with the Javanese people making up 40% of its population. Javanese are an ethnic group native to the Indonesian Java Island. Other ethnic groups in the country include Sudanese and Malay.

2 – The Philippines

Ethnic Fractionalization – 81%

The Philippines is the second most diverse country in Asia. Although the term Filipino is often referred to as a single ethnicity (as we have in our article), it is an umbrella term for people native to the Philippines. The country has more than 182 ethnolinguistic groups, and Tagalog is the largest ethnicity.

1 – Nepal

Ethnic Fractionalization – 86%

With an Ethnic fractionalization of 86%, Nepal tops our list of the 20 most diverse countries in Asia. Early settlements in the country were formed by large-scale migration of Asians from Tibet and Indo-Aryans from northern India. It is an ethnic majority-minority country with extremely minor ethnicities making up for more than 41% of its population. The largest ethnic group, Chhetri, constitutes less than 17% of its population.

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