There are 56 ethnic groups in China. The Han ethnic group recorded to have 91.96 percent of the total population in 1990 during the fourth national census. The other 8.04 percent is comprised of the other 55 groups, including the Achang, Bai, Blang, Bonan, Bouyei, Dai, Daur, De'ang, Dong, Dongxiang, Drung, Ewenki, Gaoshan, Gelo, Hani, Hezhe, Hui, Jing, Jino, Jingpo, Kazak, Kirgiz, Korean, Lahu, Lhoba, Li, Lisu, Manchu, Maonan, Miao, Moinba, Mongolian, Mulam, Naxi, Nu, Oroqen, Ozbek, Pumi, Qiang, Russian, Salar, She, Shui, Tajik, Tartar, Tibetan, Tu, Tujia, Uygur, Va, Xibe, Yao, Yi, Yugur and the Zhuang.

The Han people live throughout the country, but are concentrated on the middle and lower parts of the Yellow River, as well as the Yangtze River and the Pearl River valleys. The other ethnic groups are scattered all over the country, and can be found in up to 64.3 percent of the regions in China, often in the border regions.

The majority of other ethnic groups live in Yunnan province, but it is common for there to be more than one ethnic group in each city or town.