Glossary Term |
 Term | Ethnicity |
Synonym | Ethnic Group |
Related Term | |
Source of Definition | Statistical Standard for Ethnicity 2005 |
Short Definition | |
Statistical Activity | Population and migration Culture |
Definition
Ethnicity is the ethnic group or groups that people identify with or feel they belong to. Ethnicity is a measure of cultural affiliation, as opposed to race, ancestry, nationality, or citizenship. Ethnicity is self-perceived and people can belong to more than one ethnic group.
An ethnic group is made up of people who have some or all of the following characteristics:
- a common proper name
- one or more elements of common culture which need not be specified, but may include religion, customs or language
- unique community of interests, feelings and actions
- a shared sense of common origins or ancestry, and
- a common geographic origin.
This definition is based on the work of A Smith (1986) 'The Ethnic Origins of Nations'.
People can identify with an ethnicity even though they are not descended from ancestors with that ethnicity. Conversely, people may choose to not identify with an ethnicity even though they are descended from ancestors with that ethnicity. Ethnicity is not the same as birthplace.
In the Census of Population and Dwellings, ethnicity is identified by the person completing the census form. In the case of births and deaths, ethnicity is identified by the person completing the registration form. For births this is usually the parent(s), while for deaths this is most likely to be the funeral director (on the advice of a family member).
Example