Minority group

A social group distinguished by shared characteristics and disadvantaged or subordinated within a society, whether or not its members are numerically fewer.

Social identity: A person’s sense of self shaped by membership in social groups. Shared identities can mark a group as distinct and shape how others treat its members.
Majority group: A socially dominant group whose members hold greater influence within a society. Its dominant position contrasts with minority status, even when it is not numerically larger.
Minority rights: Legal and political protections for groups facing disadvantage because of shared identity. These protections address unequal treatment while preserving group members’ individual rights.
Structural inequality: Unequal outcomes produced by the organization and routine operation of social institutions. Institutional arrangements can reproduce disadvantages for minority groups without explicit intent.
Rohingya: A predominantly Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar, many of whose members have faced displacement and denial of citizenship. Their treatment illustrates how state power can subordinate a group and restrict recognition.
Social stratification: The structured ranking of people and groups within a society. Minority status often arises within durable hierarchies of power and resources.
Numerical minority: A group that constitutes less than half of a population. A group can be numerically small without being subordinated, or numerically large while subordinated.
Affirmative action: Policies intended to improve access for groups disadvantaged by discrimination or exclusion. Such policies respond to barriers that have limited minority groups’ opportunities.
Racialization: The process of assigning racial meaning to people, practices, or social relations. Racialization can create or reinforce group boundaries and unequal treatment.
Roma people: An ethnic group with communities across Europe and a long history of discrimination. Roma communities illustrate persistent exclusion across multiple national settings.

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