Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI) would like to present to you the second edition of the book 54 Ethnic Groups: Why the Difference? The book is the updated version of the previous book published in 2014 based on our knowledge and experience while working with donors, NGOs, and multiple ethnic groups in an effort to provide additional information and insight into all 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Data from 4 censuses are used in this book including the 53 Ethnic Minorities Census 2015, Population Census 2009, and Viet Nam Rural, Agriculture and Fishery Census 2011 and 2016 to analyze and calculate key indicators for each minority and majority.

In the 2018 edition, 54 Ethnic Groups: Why the Difference? consists of four main sections. The first presents the main findings on demography, education, health, living conditions, gender equality, land, and agriculture and the rankings of the 54 groups by indicator. The second section provides detailed information on location, language and writing, history, beliefs, religion, and social and family organization. Each ethnic group’s household characteristics and the main changes in each aspect of life from 2009 to 2016 are also mentioned in this section. The third section analyses some critical issues which negatively affect ethnic minorities. The fourth and final part of the book provides 54 sets of maps illustrating changes in the population distribution of the 54 groups and poverty rates by district in 2009 and 2015.

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