A group numerically inferior to the rest of the population of a State, whose members possess ethnic characteristics differing from those of the rest of the population and show a sense of solidarity towards preserving their culture, traditions, religion or language. Ethnic minority is “a social group which differs from the ethnic majority by its origin or other peculiarities” (Dribins 2004, 11). According to United Nations Human Rights (2023), “a person can freely belong to an ethnic minority without any requirement of citizenship, residence, official recognition or any other status”. Ethnic minorities may include immigrant ethnicities, diasporas or indigenous people. The terms “race” and “ethnicity” are sometimes used interchangeably, however their meaning differs. Whereas “race” describes physical traits inherited from parents (such as skin colour), “ethnicity” is a broader term referring to cultural identity.

Source: European Migration Network, 2024, https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/european-migration-network-emn/emn-asylum-and-migration-glossary/glossary/minority_en, Dribins, Leo. 2004. Etniskas un nacionalas minoritates Eiropa [Ethnic and national Minorities in Europe], ISBN 9984933326.