Minority

Minority refers to a demographic, cultural, or political group that is smaller in number or has less power than the dominant group in a given society. The definition is relative to a particular country or community, and a group may be a numerical minority, a political minority, or both. Minorities may be defined by ethnicity, language, religion, culture, or other characteristics. A group may also be a minority because it lacks access to political representation or economic opportunity, even if it is not numerically small in some settings.

In international law and human rights frameworks, minority rights include protection from discrimination, freedom of religion and language, preservation of culture, and participation in public life. States may adopt measures to ensure equal opportunity, prevent violence against minorities, and support education in the mother tongue or cultural preservation. Policies vary, ranging from anti-discrimination guarantees to affirmative action and institutional representation.

Common examples include national or ethnic minorities within larger states, indigenous peoples, linguistic minorities, and immigrant communities. The concept is linked to debates on pluralism, integration, and social cohesion. Some contexts also describe groups with less political power as minorities even if they are numerically sizeable, such as women in many political systems. The term remains a flexible social and legal designation, defined by the interplay of demographics, power, law, and policy.