Mongolian population is homogeneous, with Mongol-speaking people constituting 95% of the total. The only substantial non-Mongol group, representing over 5% of the population, is the Kazakhs, a Turkish-speaking people dwelling in the far West. A Chinese minority lives in Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolians can be subdivided into more than 20 different ethic groups, which are scattered across the country. These groups can be distinguished by their individual customs, histories and dialects.

The largest ethnic group is Khalha which accounts for over 75% of the total population mainly live in central, eastern and southern Mongolia. The Oirats are a group of ethnic western Mongolians, which includes smaller groups, Durvud, Torgud, Bayad, Uuld, Zakhchin, Myangad and Uriankhai. Since the early history of Mongolian Oirat people have resided around Siberias Lake Baikal, the Sayan Mountain Ranges in Northern Mongolia and forested areas within the Altai Mountain Range.

Northern Mongolian ethnic groups include the Darkhat, Tsaatan, and Khotgoid. They inhabit the dense forests of Khuvsgul lake area, near the Russian border. The Buryat are the only group who originates from the vast eastern steppe.

The Oirats are a group of ethnic western Mongolians, which includes smaller groups, Durvud, Torgud, Bayad, Uuld, Zakhchin, Myangad and Uriankhai. Since the early history of Mongolian Oirat people have resided around Siberias Lake Baikal, the Sayan Mountain Ranges in Northern Mongolia and forested areas within the Altai Mountain Range.

Northern Mongolian ethnic groups include the Darkhat, Tsaatan, and Khotgoid. They inhabit the dense forests of Khuvsgul lake area, near the Russian border. The Buryat are the only group who originates from the vast eastern steppe.

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