Folkgrupper

Folkgrupper are social groups within a population that share a sense of common heritage, often reflected in language, culture, religion, history, or ancestry. The term is commonly translated as “ethnic groups” in English and is used in sociology, anthropology, and demography to describe differences among people that arise from long-standing social belonging rather than formal political status. Folkgrupper are not the same as nationalities or citizenship, though overlaps with national identity can occur when an ethnic group forms or embraces a nation.

Membership in a folkgrupp is usually based on a combination of self-identification and social recognition by others. Boundaries between groups can be fluid and contested, with changes through migration, intermarriage, cultural exchange, and political shifts. Ethnic identities may be multi-layered, with individuals belonging to several groups or to broader regional or cultural affiliations.

In practice, analyses of folkgrupper are used for academic research and public policy. They help examine patterns in education, health, employment, language use, and social inclusion. Data on folkgrupper are collected or inferred in many countries, but frameworks vary and are subject to privacy and rights considerations. Debates often focus on the risks of stereotyping, essentialist thinking, and the limits of categorization, emphasizing that ethnicity is a social construct with diverse expressions across time and place.

Examples of folkgrupper can be found worldwide, including indigenous communities, immigrant and diasporic groups, and recognized national minorities. Understanding folkgrupper contributes to discussions about identity, representation, and social cohesion.