Ethnic groups of Brazil with more than 10,000 Indigenous people, including population size, geographic location, and household situation.

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Brazil is home to one of the largest and most diverse Indigenous populations in the world. According to the IBGE Demographic Census 2022, the country recognizes hundreds of Indigenous ethnic groups, each with distinct languages, cultures, and territorial realities. This article presents a detailed list of ethnic groups of Brazil that have more than 10,000 Indigenous people, ranked in descending order of population, and highlights where these populations live and their household situations.

Understanding where Indigenous peoples live—whether in officially recognized Indigenous lands, urban areas, or rural areas outside those lands—is essential for grasping the social, political, and economic challenges they face today.

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The Largest Indigenous Ethnic Groups in Brazil

The table below lists Indigenous ethnic groups with over 10,000 declared people, ordered from most to least populous. It also shows the distribution of households by location.

Indigenous Population by Ethnicity, Location, and Household Situation

Ethnicity	Total People	In Indigenous Lands	Outside Lands (Urban)	Outside Lands (Rural)
Tikuna	74,061	52,678 (71.1%)	15,724 (21.2%)	5,659 (7.6%)
Guarani	64,327	8,289 (12.9%)	43,514 (67.7%)	12,524 (19.5%)
Makuxí	53,446	36,508 (68.3%)	13,454 (25.2%)	3,484 (6.5%)
Guarani Kaiowá	50,034	35,253 (70.5%)	10,203 (20.4%)	4,578 (9.2%)
Kaingang	45,840	33,829 (73.8%)	6,898 (15.1%)	5,113 (11.2%)
Terena	44,667	21,892 (49.0%)	20,536 (46.0%)	2,239 (5.0%)
Pataxó	39,276	8,585 (21.9%)	24,694 (62.9%)	5,997 (15.3%)
Guajajara	38,244	30,701 (80.3%)	5,900 (15.4%)	1,643 (4.3%)
Potiguara	37,292	19,003 (51.0%)	10,204 (27.4%)	8,085 (21.7%)
Mura	36,347	8,171 (22.5%)	16,430 (45.2%)	11,746 (32.3%)
Baré	35,218	5,486 (15.6%)	25,343 (72.0%)	4,389 (12.5%)
Munduruku	32,896	16,450 (50.0%)	9,940 (30.2%)	6,506 (19.8%)
Sateré-Mawé	28,774	14,688 (51.1%)	11,077 (38.5%)	3,009 (10.5%)
Xavante	25,360	20,160 (79.5%)	3,456 (13.6%)	1,744 (6.9%)
Xukuru	25,321	8,320 (32.9%)	15,732 (62.1%)	1,269 (5.0%)
Apurinã	24,530	4,815 (19.6%)	15,127 (61.7%)	4,588 (18.7%)
Tupinambá	23,265	281 (1.2%)	15,602 (67.1%)	7,382 (31.7%)
Yanomami	21,975	20,732 (94.3%)	577 (2.6%)	666 (3.0%)
Pankararú	20,507	9,440 (46.0%)	8,894 (43.4%)	2,173 (10.6%)
Atikum	18,283	3,690 (20.2%)	8,883 (48.6%)	5,710 (31.2%)
Wapixana	17,331	11,090 (64.0%)	4,405 (25.4%)	1,836 (10.6%)
Kaxinawá	14,412	9,145 (63.5%)	4,332 (30.1%)	935 (6.5%)
Xacriabá	13,370	8,944 (66.9%)	3,304 (24.7%)	1,122 (8.4%)
Kayapó	11,516	9,038 (78.5%)	2,230 (19.4%)	248 (2.2%)
Tapeba	11,333	5,158 (45.5%)	5,644 (49.8%)	531 (4.7%)
Kambéba	10,316	418 (4.1%)	7,756 (75.2%)	2,142 (20.8%)
Pankará	10,160	14 (0.1%)	4,851 (47.8%)	5,295 (52.1%)

Source: IBGE – Demographic Census 2022

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Geographic Distribution of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil

The spatial distribution of Indigenous populations varies widely. Groups like the Yanomami, Guajajara, Xavante, and Kayapó live predominantly in officially recognized Indigenous lands, mostly in the North and Center-West regions. These areas are crucial for cultural preservation but often face pressures from mining, deforestation, and land conflicts.

In contrast, groups such as the Guarani, Baré, Tupinambá, and Pataxó have a high proportion of their population living outside Indigenous lands, particularly in urban environments. This reflects historical displacement, land disputes, and migration toward cities in search of work, education, and healthcare.

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Household Situation: Urbanization and Its Consequences

One of the most striking findings from the 2022 Census is the high level of urbanization among several Indigenous ethnic groups. For many peoples, living outside Indigenous lands does not mean abandoning cultural identity, but it does often mean reduced access to traditional territories and collective land rights.

Urban Indigenous households face unique challenges, including:

• Limited access to culturally appropriate healthcare
• Housing insecurity
• Discrimination in labor markets
• Loss of language transmission

At the same time, urban residence has increased Indigenous political visibility and access to education and public services.

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Comparing 2010 and 2022: A Clear Demographic Shift

When compared to the 2010 Census, the 2022 data show:

• Significant population growth among major ethnic groups
• Increased self-identification as Indigenous
• Greater dispersion outside Indigenous lands, especially in urban areas

This growth reflects both demographic factors and improved recognition of Indigenous identity in national statistics.

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1. What is the largest Indigenous ethnic group in Brazil?

The Tikuna are the most populous Indigenous ethnic group, with over 74,000 people.

2. Do most Indigenous people live in Indigenous lands?

Not necessarily. Several large groups have most of their population living outside Indigenous lands, especially in urban areas.

3. Which group is most concentrated in Indigenous lands?

The Yanomami have the highest concentration, with over 94% living in Indigenous lands.

4. Why do many Indigenous people live in cities?

Urban migration is often driven by land loss, economic necessity, access to education, and healthcare.

5. Are Indigenous populations growing in Brazil?

Yes. Census data show strong growth, partly due to higher self-identification.

This list of ethnic groups of Brazil with more than 10,000 Indigenous people reveals a country marked by deep diversity and complex territorial realities. While many groups remain strongly connected to their ancestral lands, others are increasingly urbanized, reshaping what it means to be Indigenous in contemporary Brazil. Accurate data, like that from the IBGE 2022 Census, is essential for designing public policies that respect cultural diversity, territorial rights, and social inclusion.

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