multietnische

Multietnische (or multietnisch) is an adjective used to describe a population, place, or setting that comprises several distinct ethnic groups. In sociological and demographical discourse, the term characterizes societies or localities where multiple ethnic identities coexist, often alongside languages, religions, and cultural practices. The concept highlights both diversity and interaction, including processes of integration, assimilation, segregation, and intercultural exchange.

The term is commonly applied in urban sociology to describe neighborhoods with residents from different ethnic backgrounds, and in national terms to describe a country whose citizenry includes sizable shares of people with diverse ethnic origins due to immigration and historical population mixing.

Researchers may use self-identified ethnicity, country of birth, or parental origin to classify groups. Indicators of multietnische configurations include educational attainment gaps, employment patterns, housing segregation, language use, and attitudes toward diversity.

Debates around multietnische societies touch on integration policies, social cohesion, and the balance between preserving cultural diversity and promoting universal civic values. Some critics warn against essentializing identities or creating rigid ethnic quotas, while others emphasize the benefits of intercultural exchange. Some scholars prefer the term "superdiversity" to reflect the increasing complexity of contemporary populations.

Numerous European cities and urban regions exhibit multietnische characteristics, with residents tracing origins to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, alongside native-born populations.