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Politics & World • Ethnic Group

Rohingya people

The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group from Rakhine State in Myanmar.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group from Rakhine State in Myanmar. They are widely described as one of the world’s most persecuted and largest stateless populations, with many displaced to Bangladesh and other countries after mass violence in 2017.

Identity and language

The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnolinguistic community whose members are concentrated in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Their language is called Rohingya, sometimes romanized as Ruaingga.

Myanmar’s government has long disputed Rohingya identity and excluded them from official recognition. The 1982 nationality law is widely cited as the basis for their statelessness.

Persecution and displacement

Rohingya communities have faced decades of discrimination, movement restrictions, and violence. A major displacement wave occurred in 2017, when hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh.

Refugee population and diaspora

Most Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, particularly in camps in Cox’s Bazar. Smaller Rohingya communities are also present in countries such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, and elsewhere.

Key facts

  • The Rohingya are primarily associated with Rakhine State in western Myanmar.
  • They are predominantly Muslim and speak Rohingya, a distinct language/dialect.
  • Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as an official ethnic group and has denied many of them citizenship since 1982.
  • Large numbers fled Myanmar in 2017 after military violence that international organizations described as ethnic cleansing or genocide-related atrocities.
  • Bangladesh hosts the largest Rohingya refugee population, especially in the Cox’s Bazar area.
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Canadian context

Canada has taken in Rohingya refugees and the crisis is relevant to Canadian readers through refugee resettlement, human rights policy, and international humanitarian assistance.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the Rohingya?
The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim ethnolinguistic minority from Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Are the Rohingya citizens of Myanmar?
Many are not recognized as citizens by Myanmar, and the 1982 nationality law is widely cited in connection with their statelessness.
Why did so many Rohingya flee Myanmar in 2017?
They fled mass violence by Myanmar’s security forces and associated operations in Rakhine State, which triggered a large refugee exodus to Bangladesh.
Where do most Rohingya refugees live?
Most Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, especially in camps in the Cox’s Bazar region.
What religion do most Rohingya follow?
Most Rohingya are Muslims, commonly identified as Sunni Muslim.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohingya_people
    Supports: General description, statelessness, 2017 displacement, language and origin
  2. UNHCR — https://www.unrefugees.org/news/rohingya-refugee-crisis-explained/
    Supports: Refugee crisis overview, citizenship denial, largest stateless population
  3. Human Rights Watch — https://www.hrw.org/tag/rohingya
    Supports: Persecution, statelessness, camp conditions, refugee population in Bangladesh
  4. UK Government — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/burma-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-policy-and-information-note-rohingya-including-rohingya-in-bangladesh-burma-january-2026-accessible
    Supports: Population estimates, Sunni Muslim majority, displacement figures, location in Rakhine State
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rohingya
    Supports: Definition, concentration in Rakhine State, diaspora locations