Ethnic groups of Argentina

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Argentina has a racially and ethnically diverse population.^[1] The territory of what today is Argentina was first inhabited by numerous indigenous peoples. The first white settlers came during the period of Spanish colonization, beginning in the 16th century. The Spaniards imported African slaves, who would go on to become the first Afro-Argentines. Following independence from Spain in the 19th century and well into the 20th century, numerous migration waves took place, with Argentina being the second most popular destination for migrants in the early 20th century, after the United States. Most of these migrants came from Europe.^[2][3]

Most modern-day Argentines are descendants of these 19th and 20th century immigrants, with about 97% of the population being of full or partial European ancestry,^[4][5] while an estimated 56% have some indigenous or mestizo ancestry,^[6][7] and 4-5% have some African or mulatto ancestry.^[8][9] In the 2010 census [INDEC], some 955,032 Argentines (2.38% of the population) identified as indigenous or first-generation descendants of indigenous peoples, while 149,493 (0.37% of the population) identified as Afro-Argentine.^[10][11]

In addition, Argentines of Arab (mostly Syrian and Lebanese) descent constitute a significant minority, and the Jewish population is the largest in all Latin America and the sixth largest in the world.^[12]

Indigenous peoples continue to have significant populations in the country's north-west (Quechua, Diaguita, Kolla, Aymara); north-east (Guaraní, Mocoví, Toba, Wichí); and in the south or Patagonia (Mapuche, Tehuelche).

Asian peoples have increasing minorities in some Buenos Aires neighborhoods and are expanding to other large Argentine cities. More recent migratory flows have come from other Latin American countries, with Paraguayans, Bolivians, Peruvians and Venezuelans making up the bulk of Argentina's modern-day immigrant communities.^[13][14]