nonwhites

Nonwhite is a demographic term used to describe people who are not classified as White within a given racial taxonomy. It is a relative, socially constructed category rather than a biological one, and its meaning varies across countries, surveys, and historical periods. In many Western contexts, “nonwhite” is used to contrast a reference White group in statistics that examine differences in income, health, education, and political participation. The exact populations included under “nonwhite” depend on the survey and context, including self-identification and the categories provided.

Because it aggregates diverse groups—Black, Indigenous, Asian, multiracial, Latino, and others—it can obscure differences between communities and experiences of discrimination. Critics argue that the term homogenizes distinct identities and reinforces a binary framework that centers whiteness as the norm. In some contexts, alternatives such as “racial and ethnic minority groups” or “people of color” are preferred, or more specific labels are used for clarity.

Usage is country-specific. In the United States, for example, many data programs separate “White” from all other racial groups, while also accounting for ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino) as a separate dimension. In other countries, categories map to different national histories and populations, such as “visible minorities” in Canada or “minorités visibles” in France.

Overall, “nonwhite” functions as a descriptive shorthand in demographic analysis but is debated for precision and social sensitivity. Its appropriateness depends on context, purpose, and the needs of the audience.