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Which countries have the largest communities of Hmong-Mien language speakers?

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The vast majority of Hmong-Mien language speakers reside in China, which is home to approximately six out of every seven speakers worldwide. Within China, these communities are primarily located in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, and Yunnan, as well as the Zhuang Autonomous Region of Guangxi.1

Following historical migrations, significant communities are also found across Southeast Asia, specifically in:

  • Vietnam12
  • Laos12
  • Thailand12
  • Myanmar (eastern regions)2

Additionally, following the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970s, many Hmong and Mien speakers emigrated to Western nations. Notable diaspora populations now reside in the United States, France, Australia, French Guiana, Canada, and New Zealand.12