Since ancient times, a huge number of nations and nationalities have lived in Russia. At the same time, most Russians are benevolent to the very different peoples inhabiting the country. In addition, the presence in Russia of a large number of nationalities is legislatively enshrined in the Constitution.
The most numerous nations residing on the territory of the Russian Federation
More than 180 different nationalities live on the territory of the Russian Federation. The title nation is Russian. According to the 2010 census, more than 111 million people called themselves Russians; 80.9% of all citizens who considered it necessary to indicate nationality.
The second largest nation in Russia are the Tatars. In 2010, there were 5.3 million, or 3.7%. Moreover, Tatars inhabit not only Tatarstan, but also other Russian regions.
The third place in number is occupied by Ukrainians. There are about 2 million or 1.4% of the total population in Russia. However, Ukrainians living in Russia have long ago become Russified and are practically no different from Russians.
The fourth place rightfully belongs to the Bashkirs. In Russia, there are more than one and a half million, most of them live directly on the territory of Bashkiria. The fifth place was shared by the Chuvash and Chechens. They are in Russia at 1%, that is, about one and a half million. Armenians occupy the sixth place in number; there are more than a million of them.
Also in Russia there are a number of nationalities, numbering more than half a million people. Among them are Avars, Azerbaijanis, Belarusians, Dargins, Kabardians, Kazakhs, Kumyks, Mari, Mordovians and Ossetians. Most of these peoples live compactly in their regions. The exception is made by representatives of the former union republics - Azerbaijanis, Belarusians and Kazakhs.
In the late 1980s, more than 2 million Jews lived in Russia. However, many of them left for their historic homeland in Israel. According to the 2010 census, only 157 thousand remained in Russia.
