Which groups make up Liberia’s population?

The population of Liberia is classified into three major groups:1

• Indigenous people: This majority group migrated from the western Sudan during the late Middle Ages. They are categorized into three linguistic groups within the Niger-Congo language family:1
  • Mande: Located in the northwest and central regions, including groups such as the Kpelle, Vai, Dan (Gio), Mano, Mende, Loma, Ngbandi, and Malinke.1
  • Kwa: Occupying the southern half of the country, this group includes the Bassa, Kru, Grebo, De, Belleh, and Krahn.1
  • Mel: Living in the north and northwest coastal regions, this group includes the Gola and Kisi, who are considered the oldest inhabitants of Liberia.1
• Americo-Liberians: Black immigrants and their descendants who migrated primarily from the United States and the West Indies between 1820 and 1865.1
• Other Black immigrants: Individuals from neighboring West African states who arrived during the anti-slave-trade campaign and European colonial rule.1