What are the most diverse countries in the world? All 7.8 billion people on the planet make this world diverse. Languages, cultures, beliefs, race, and other characteristics differentiate people. Despite all the differences, several ethnic groups live together in different countries. In a relatively short period, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries have seen major societal shifts. In 2016, 59 percent of people aged 55 to 64 were employed. The number reduced to 48 percent in 2000. Almost one out of every ten persons in the OECD countries is foreign-born, and more than a quarter of those in the younger cohorts (15 to 34 years old) are foreign-born or native-born kids of immigrants. One of the main reasons behind this is companies like Meta Platforms, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR), and Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL) that are promoting diversity in workspaces by roping in the skilled workforce from all across the globe.
According to the 18th Annual Global Survey conducted by PwC, 85 percent of CEOs stated that having a diverse and inclusive workforce boosted their bottom line. Delivering through diversity, McKinsey’s latest workplace diversity study reinforces the global applicability of the link between diversity – defined as a higher proportion of women and a more diverse ethnic and cultural composition in large corporate leadership – and financial performance. According to McKinsey’s research, a country’s financial performance can be improved by having a diversified workforce. Schools and classrooms with a varied student body provide social, cognitive, and emotional benefits. Furthermore, living in a diverse community can have a good impact on an individual’s identity and interactions with others.
Countries like Norway, United States, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Thailand, etc. are all considered among the most diverse countries in the world. Big companies such as Facebook, Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ: FB), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR), and Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL) are all focusing on a more enabling environment for people of all races and ethnicities which bodes well not just for the companies, but for the world as a whole.
How do we know which are the most diverse countries in the world? Here’s how:
Our Methodology
To assess and measure diversity across countries, Oxford Economics developed a unique global ranking model based on a weighted composite index. We used Employee Diversity Weighted Index from the link given above to rank countries. Gender, age, race, disability, citizenship status, skills and knowledge, number of working hours, language, and geographical distribution are all factors considered in the index. The index had been compiled using data from the World Bank, SIL International, FTSE, US Census Bureau, UK’s National Statistics, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and International Labor Organization.
Here is a list of the 25 most diverse countries in the world, ranked from least to most diverse.
25. Thailand
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.48
Thailand has long been a multicultural country with individuals of various racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Although statistics on income disparities are hard to come by, Thailand has laws ensuring wage equality, albeit there have been disagreements over how women’s retirement ages should be determined. Thailand has strict legislation prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in employment and housing, but gender transition is still prohibited.
24. Belgium
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.49
Belgium has a diversified population with many different cultures and races. The Brussels-Capital Region diversity charter, developed in partnership with the Union of Enterprises in Brussels (UEB) and the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region, commits organizations to implement a diversity plan, a set of concrete measures to promote diversity within their organization.
23. Germany
Employee Diversity Weighted Index:0.49
Lifestyle variety and ethnocultural diversity are important factors in shaping German society. In contrast to sectors such as business services, wholesale, and retail, German workers in the telecom and IT service industry scored their diversity policies relatively highly, according to a Statista report on Diversity and Equality in European Organizations published in 2019.
22. Indonesia
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.49
There are around 300 ethnic and linguistic groups in Indonesia. Java was home to half of the population and two-thirds of all Indonesians, accounting for 7% of the country’s total land area. With the launch of the Indonesia Business and Disability Network (IBDN) in December 2016, Indonesia has taken another step towards better inclusivity.
21. Spain
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.49
Since 2019, native-born Spanish citizens of all ethnic groups account for 84.6 percent of the overall population, while immigrants, both naturalized and foreign, account for 15.4 percent. Four million foreigners are registered in Spain, accounting for 10% of the country’s population of 46.7 million people.
20. Austria
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.50
Historic minorities such as the Magyars, Czechs, and Slovaks are recognized in Austria. Historical events affected political discussions and regulations on equal treatment for migrants and ethnic groups, lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, the elderly, and those with disabilities, making the country one of the most diverse countries in the world.
19. Finland
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.50
For a long time in Finland, the economic inequality amongst inhabitants has been moderate. There are many recognized national minorities in Finland, which are recognized in legislation and receive group-specific services. The most prevalent D&I actions made by respondents in Finland were employment engagement surveys (86 percent), code of conduct (74 percent), and evaluating diverse demographics in the organization (64 percent).
18. Ireland
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.51
Ireland currently has a majority of “White Irish” people accounting for 94.1 percent of the population. According to a 2018 ESRI study, black non-Irish persons are less than half (0.4 times) as likely to be employed as white Irish people, and they are five times more likely to face prejudice when looking for work. Despite this, Ireland is considered a diverse country hosting a range of ethnicities and people from varied backgrounds.
17. United Kingdom
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.51
In 2018, 13.8 percent of the UK population belonged to a minority ethnic group, with 40.2 percent of Londoners belonging to the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) group. The employment rate for ethnic minorities is 62.8%, compared to 75.6 percent for white workers – a difference of more than 12%.
16. Estonia
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.51
Estonia is a multicultural country with 192 different nationalities (69% of the population are Estonians) and a strong cultural identity, with a population of less than 1.4 million people. Around 91 percent of corporations have a board of directors made up entirely of other nationalities, leaving only 9% of enterprises with Estonians on the board.
15. Singapore
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.53
Over 1.1 million foreigners live and work in Singapore, accounting for nearly a third of the 3.4 million-strong workforce. In addition, Singapore is home to over 7,000 global corporations, making it a true melting pot of cultures. Singapore’s workplaces are intrinsically diverse, notably in terms of culture and ethnicity, due to the diverse population that lives and works here.
14. Latvia
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.53
According to government data from 2016, the Latvian population, which accounts for 61.8 percent of the overall population, has increased somewhat. Russians are the largest minority ethnic group (25.6 percent) in Latvia. From the time Latvia ratified the Convention in 2007, it has served as the foundation for the advancement of a diverse and inclusive national and cultural policy. Ranging from the “State Cultural Policy Guidelines (2006-2015”, calling for a more incorporated concept of cultural policy planning and implementation, to the new guidelines “Creative Latvia 2014-2020,” which has as its core diverse and sustainable cultural policy, the country welcomes diversity of all forms.
13. Denmark
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.53
Almost 90% of Denmark’s population is of Danish ancestry, defined as having at least one parent born in the country and holding Danish citizenship. The remaining 10% are immigrants or offspring of recent immigrants. According to the data from 2021, 86 percent of Denmark’s population of over 5,840,045 was of Danish origin, defined as having at least one parent born in Denmark and holding Danish citizenship. The remaining 14% had a foreign ancestry, classified as recent immigrants or offspring of recent immigrants.
12. Argentina
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.54
The majority of Argentines are descended from multiple European ethnic groups, with Italian roots accounting for more than 55 percent of the population. Spanish is the second most common ethnicity. Argentina is, overall, a safe country for people of various ethnicities. However, transgender workers continue to experience significant discrimination, which has left 95 percent of the group unemployed.
11. Israel
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.56
More than 15 diverse cultures coexist in Israel, each with its own set of traditions and ancestral roots. Over 75% of Israelis are descended from Jewish ancestors. The number of Israeli Arabs in the workforce has increased from 2.4 to 5 percent among the evaluated enterprises, while the percentage of people with disabilities has increased from 0.5 to 2 percent.
10. Sweden
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.56
Sweden has become very culturally diverse, particularly in urban areas, as a result of high rates of immigration and an influx of employees from other regions of the world. It is believed that 11% of Sweden’s current population was born outside of the nation which is why we have included it on our list of most diverse countries in the world.
9. United States
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.57
One out of every ten chief executives in the United States belongs to ethnic minorities. While Whites make up 78% of the labor force in the US, the three major ethnic minority groups including Hispanics, African Americans, or Asians are also huge in number. Because of a consistent increase in numbers, groups that have traditionally been considered “minorities” in the United States will get majority status by 2044, according to the Census Bureau.
8. The Philippines
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.59
The Philippines is a country with a wide range of cultures, has over a hundred dialects, and a diverse ethnic population. Many Filipinos are devout believers as over 80% of the people are Catholic. The workforce is becoming more multinational and it is not unusual to see people of many races walking alongside Filipino employees to their respective offices these days in the country.
7. Canada
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.60
A total of 6,264,800 persons in Canada belong to a visible minority group, accounting for 19.1% of the total population. In 2018, 23.6 percent of Canada’s population was born outside of the country, the highest percentage among the G8 countries. Workplace diversity and inclusion are no longer optional; these are now mandatory for businesses.
6. The Netherlands
Employee Diversity Weighted Index: 0.60
During the last few decades, Dutch society has become increasingly diversified. People of non-western origin make a significant portion of the Netherlands ‘ population. The number of projects for ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ (D&I) in the Netherlands has increased dramatically in the last year, as has the number of associated employment positions.
In addition to countries like the Netherlands, major companies including Facebook, Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ: FB), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR), and Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL) are also becoming more diverse amid a global push for inclusivity.
Click to continue reading and see the 5 most diverse countries in the world.
FAQs
What is the most diverse country on earth? ›
| Rank | Country | Probability of diversity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uganda | 93.02% |
| 2 | Liberia | 90.84% |
| 3 | Madagascar | 87.91% |
| 4 | Congo (Dem. Rep.) | 87.47% |
The UK is most definitely multicultural, and it has always been. For a start, it's made up of four different nations. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all different countries with different dialects, customs, music, and languages.
What country has the most diverse nationalities? ›The usual suspects lead the list of culturally diverse countries: Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These and other African countries typically rank high on any diversity index because of their multitude of tribal groups and languages.
What is the most multicultural city in the world? ›Recognized by both the United Nations and the BBC as the most diverse city in the world, Toronto stands apart as a benchmark of multiculturalism. According to official data, over half of the city's residents were born outside of Canada, making it home to nationalities from around the world.
Which country supports almost 10% of diversity on the earth? ›This is an Expert-Verified Answer
South Africa. One of the most diverse countries in the world. It contains nearly 10% of all known species of birds, fish and plants registered in the world and 6% of mammal and reptile species.
BRIGHTON has been named as the most diverse city in the UK according to a recent study. The city ranked top out of all the cities in the country after being graded on a range of factors including age diversity and the number of independent shops.
Where in the UK has the most blacks? ›Almost 97 per cent of Black Britons live in England, particularly in England's larger urban areas, with most (over a million) Black British living in Greater London.
Is USA or UK more diverse? ›Americans are significantly more racially and ethnically diverse than Britons, and a greater proportion of them was born in other countries.
How much of the UK is white? ›| Ethnicity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 48,209,395 | 86.0 |
| White British | 45,134,686 | 80.5 |
| White Irish | 531,087 | 0.9 |
| White Gypsy/Traveller | 57,680 | 0.1 |
The largest ethnic group in the United Kingdom is White British, followed by Asian British. Ethnicity in the United Kingdom is formally recorded at the national level through a census.
What percent of the UK is black? ›
...
Ethnicity in the United Kingdom as of 2011.
| Characteristic | Share of the total population |
|---|---|
| Asian/Asian British: Indian | 2.3% |
| Asian/Asian British: Pakistani | 1.9% |
| Black* | 3% |
Overall Canada is the most multicultural country out there, with over 100 different ethnic groups.
Which country has the most multicultural people? ›Many of us have always known Australia is a successful multicultural nation but now we can boast about the fact that Australia is the most ethnically diverse country in the world.
What percent of London is white British? ›| Ethnic Group | 1991 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|
| Number | % | |
| White: Other | – | 8.29% |
| Asian or Asian British: Total | 690,031 | 13.20% |
| Asian or Asian British: Indian | 347,091 | 6.09% |
Being the largest city in the UK, London is also home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. Approximately 1/3 of Londoners were born abroad and over 200 languages are spoken in the capital.
Is London more diverse than New York? ›2. London. London may come in second place behind New York City for percentage of immigrant population. But it is easily the most diverse city in all of Europe, as well as one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
What are the 17 mega diversity countries? ›The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) of the United Nations Environment Program has identified a total of 17 mega-diverse countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Democratic Republic of Congo, ...
What is the most biodiverse country in Europe? ›Italy is extremely rich in biodiversity; it has the highest number and density of both animal and plant species within the European Union, as well as a high rate of endemism.
What is the richest place in the UK? ›With its red-brick buildings and lavish green spaces, Virginia Water has long been positioned in the top spot on Zoopla's highest value towns rich list. As of September 2022, it had an average property price of £1,626,048, while a detached house would set a buyer back by around £3,045,255.
What is the most multicultural town in the UK? ›What are the Most Multicultural Cities in the UK? London – A Blend of Every Culture Going. Edinburgh – The Most Integrated Multicultural City in the UK. Manchester – A Beautiful Blend of Irish, African & Asian People.
How many Pakistani are in UK? ›
...
Population in school children.
| Ethnic group | School year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/2022 | ||
| White: Total | 6,011,045 | 71.4% |
| White: British | 5,379,748 | 63.9% |
...
| Local authority | Number of Chinese residents | Percentage of Chinese people living there |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 13,539 | 3.4% |
| Birmingham | 12,712 | 3.2% |
| Barnet | 8,259 | 2.1% |
| Tower Hamlets | 8,109 | 2.1% |
...
The African Diaspora in Europe.
| Continent / Country | Country population | Afro-descendants |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 590,856,462.00 | 2.40% |
| France | 62,752,136 | 8.0% (inc. French Guiana & other territories) |
In 2018 about 13.8% of the UK population was from a minority ethnic background with London having 40% of its population from the Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) background.
How many Muslims are in UK? ›...
Islam in Europe.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Greater London | 1,012,823 |
| West Midlands | 376,152 |
| North West England | 356,458 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 326,050 |
White culture in the United Kingdom is the culture of White British (English, Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish) people, White Irish people, Irish Traveller people, and all Other White people.
Why are there so many Indians in the UK? ›Following the Second World War and the breakup of the British Empire, Indian migration to the UK increased through the 1950s and 1960s. This was partly due to the British Nationality Act 1948, which enabled migration from the Commonwealth with very few limits.
What race are English people? ›The English largely descend from two main historical population groups – the West Germanic tribes (the Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Frisians) who settled in southern Britain following the withdrawal of the Romans, and the partially Romanised Celtic Britons already living there.
What percentage of UK is non white? ›87% of people in the UK are White, and 13% belong to a Black, Asian, Mixed or Other ethnic group (2011 Census data). Find information about the experiences and outcomes of people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
How did black people get to England? ›
The first Blacks in Britain arrived as soldiers in the Roman armies in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. They rebuilt and were stationed along Hadrian's Wall. They were under the rule of Septimus Severus, a Black Roman Emperor based in York.
When did black people first come to Britain? ›Human ornaments
Records show that black men and women have lived in Britain in small numbers since at least the 12th century, but it was the empire that caused their numbers to swell exponentially in the 17th and 18th centuries.
London has the largest number of migrants among all regions of the UK, 3,346,000 – or 37% of the UK's total foreign-born population. In the year ending June 2021, India was – once again – the most common country of birth for migrants (896,000) in the UK.
Is Canada more diverse than the UK? ›Data from the 2016 census in Canada, which is known to be multicultural, shows 21.9% of people there are immigrants, with the largest share being from South Asia. 2018 data shows 14% of the UK population was from a minority ethnic background.
Which country has a lot of diversity? ›Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world, with approximately 840 languages used.
What is the most ethnically diverse city? ›According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) based on population survey figures from 2019, people from ethnic minority backgrounds make up 14.4% of the United Kingdom (16.1% for England, 5.9% for Wales, 5.4% for Scotland and 2.2% for Northern Ireland).
Is there a lot of diversity in the UK? ›Just over two people in five are from an ethnic minority background. But that isn't to say that walking down any London street, two in every five people you pass will be BAME. Boroughs such as Westminister or Camden are far more diverse than Bexley or Brent.
What percentage of the UK is diverse? ›In 2021/22 about 13% of the UK population aged 16 and over was from a minority ethnic background, ranging from 3% in Northern Ireland to 15% in England. The proportion of people from a minority ethnic background has risen in recent years, and so has their representation in political and public positions.
Is London the most ethnically diverse city in the world? ›London may come in second place behind New York City for percentage of immigrant population. But it is easily the most diverse city in all of Europe, as well as one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
How white is the UK? ›
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| England | 45,226,247 (85.3%) (2011) |
| Scotland | 5,080,195 (95.9%) (2011) |
| Wales | 2,925,468 (95.5%) (2011) |
...
Ethnicity in the United Kingdom as of 2011.
| Characteristic | Share of the total population |
|---|---|
| Asian/Asian British: Indian | 2.3% |
| Asian/Asian British: Pakistani | 1.9% |
| Black* | 3% |
London was more ethnically diverse than other regions
Those identifying as White British accounted for 43.4% of London's population compared with 78.4% for England and Wales overall. Excluding White British, the most common ethnic groups in London were Other White (14.6%), Black African (7.9%), and Indian (7.0%).
The number of white British people in the capital fell by 620,000 - equivalent to the entire population of Glasgow moving out. The consequence, as revealed by the latest census, is that white Brits are now in a minority in London, making up just 45% of its residents.
What percent of London is black? ›| Ethnic Group | 1991 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Number | % | |
| Black or Black British: Total | 535,216 | 13.32% |
| Black or Black British: African | 163,635 | 7.02% |
| Black or Black British: Caribbean | 290,968 | 4.22% |
The United Kingdom's population is predominantly White British (81.88% at the 2011 Census), but due to migration from Commonwealth nations, Britain has become ethnically diverse. The second and third largest non-white racial groups are Asian British at 7% of the population, followed by Black British people at 3%.
Why is London so ethnically diverse? ›The combination of Industrialisation and a growing British Empire meant that London people from all over the world were trading in London by the 1800s and the population grew rapidly. The Port of London was the first place where trading ships disembarked and many different communities have left their mark here.
What is the least ethnically diverse place in the UK? ›Summary. At the time of the 2011 Census, Northern Ireland was the least ethnically diverse region of the UK.
What percentage of the UK is black 2022? ›...
Ethnic groups in the UK.
| Ethnic Group | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 55,010,359 | 87.1% |
| Asian or Asian British | 4,373,339 | 6.9% |
| Black or Black British | 1,904,684 | 3.0% |
London often gets the prize for being the world's most diverse city because of the massive influx of immigrants in the past couple of decades.