Distribution of Dai Ethnic Minority in Yunnan
Dai Ethnic Minority: Distribution and Population Statistics (Latest Data for 2025)
1. Key Areas of Dai Population Distribution and Overview
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)
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Total Population: 1.336 million (permanent residents, 2025), 1.0277 million (registered population)
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Dai Population: 333,900 (32.6% of registered population)
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Jinghong City: 143,700 (32.5% of registered population)
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Menghai County: Ethnic minorities make up 88.48% of the population (including Dai people)
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Mengla County: 310,100 permanent residents (percentage of Dai people not specified)
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Ethnic Composition: The Dai are the majority, coexisting with other ethnic groups such as the Hani (哈尼), Blang (布朗), and 13 other indigenous ethnicities.
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)
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Total Population: 1.337 million (permanent residents, 2025)
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Dai Population:
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Mangshi City: 141,200 (30.4% of permanent population)
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Ruili City: 57,600 (25% of permanent population)
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Yingjiang County: 102,000 (33.1% of permanent population)
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Overall Dai Population in the Prefecture: Approximately 27.28%, with the Jingpo (景颇) making up 10.38%.
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Other Key Dai Populated Areas
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Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (Gengma County, Lincang City, 临沧市): Ethnic minorities make up 55.79% of the population.
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Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (Menglian County, Pu’er City, 普洱市): Ethnic minorities account for 86.4%.
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Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (Jinggu County, Pu’er City, 普洱市): Dai people make up about 30% of the population.
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Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (Xinping County, Yuxi City, 玉溪市): Dai and Yi people together account for 66.4%.
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Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (Yuanjiang County, Yuxi City, 玉溪市): Dai people make up 12%.
2. List of Dai Autonomous Prefectures in Yunnan
Yunnan Province has two Dai Autonomous Prefectures, where the Dai people share autonomous governance with other ethnic groups:
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)
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Administrative Divisions: Jinghong City, Menghai County, Mengla County
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Features: Located in the heart of China’s tropical rainforests, home to the Asian elephant habitat.
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)
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Administrative Divisions: Mangshi City, Ruili City, Longchuan County, Yingjiang County, Lianghe County
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Features: A key trade hub along the China-Myanmar border, with one of the highest traffic volumes at the Ruili Port in China.
3. Data Summary and Comparison
Region | Total Population (2025) | Dai Population Percentage | Core Settlement Areas |
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Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture | 1.336 million (permanent) | 32.6% (registered) | Jinghong City, Mengla County |
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture | 1.337 million (permanent) | 30.4% (Mangshi) | Mangshi City, Ruili City |
Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County | 277,900 | Undetermined (55.79% ethnic minorities) | Lincang City |
Notes:
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The Dai population is highest in Xishuangbanna, while Dehong sees a balanced distribution between the Dai and Jingpo people.
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In other autonomous counties, the Dai population data should be considered in the broader context of ethnic minorities.
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Data is compiled from government statistical reports and population databases (2024-2025).
Dai Ethnic Minority: Key Dai Settlements in Yunnan Province
1. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)
Jinghong City (景洪市)
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Menglhan Town (橄榄坝), Menglun Town (勐龙镇), Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), Jinuo Township (基诺乡) (partially Dai villages)
Menghai County (勐海县)
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Daluo Town (打洛镇), Menghun Town (勐混镇), Mengman Town (勐满镇), Xiding Township (西定乡) (Dai and Blang people living together)
Mengla County (勐腊县)
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Menglun Town (勐仑镇), Mengban Town (勐伴镇), Mohan Town (磨憨镇), Guanlei Town (关累镇)
2. Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)
Mangshi City (芒市)
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Zhefang Town (遮放镇), Mengjia Town (勐戛镇), Manghai Town (芒海镇), Zhongshan Township (中山乡)
Ruili City (瑞丽市)
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Nongdao Town (弄岛镇), Mengmao Town (勐卯镇), Jiexiang Town (姐相镇), Wanting Town (畹町镇)
Longchuan County (陇川县)
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Zhangfeng Town (章凤镇), Longba Town (陇把镇), Husa Township (户撒乡)
Yingjiang County (盈江县)
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Taiping Town (太平镇), Nongzhang Town (弄璋镇), Xima Town (昔马镇), Sudian Township (苏典乡) (Dai and Jingpo people living together)
Lianghe County (梁河县)
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Jiubao Township (九保乡) (Dai villages)
3. Other Areas
Gengma County, Lincang City (临沧市耿马县)
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Mengding Town (孟定镇) (Mainly Dai)
Lancang County, Pu’er City (普洱市澜沧县)
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Menglang Town (勐朗镇) (Dai and Lahu people living together)
Notes:
The listed towns and townships are traditional Dai settlements, with some areas being multi-ethnic.
Dai Ethnic Minority: Population Distribution in Yunnan Province (2025 Data)
1. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)
Jinghong City (景洪市)
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Dai Population: 143,700 (32.5% of registered population)
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Total Population: 442,800 (registered population, 2025)
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Key Characteristics: Core area for Dai settlements, 50.99% urbanization rate.
Menghai County (勐海县)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, but ethnic minorities make up 88.48% of registered population.
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Total Population: 359,700 (permanent population, 2023)
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Key Characteristics: Multi-ethnic region, home to the largest population of the Blang ethnic group in China.
Mengla County (勐腊县)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, permanent population 310,100 (2024)
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Key Characteristics: Border county with a mix of Dai, Hani, and Yao ethnic groups.
2. Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)
Mangshi City (芒市)
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Dai Population: 141,200 (30.4% of permanent population)
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Total Population: 464,300 (2023)
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Key Characteristics: Dai, Jingpo, and De’ang ethnic groups cohabit.
Ruili City (瑞丽市)
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Dai Population: 57,600 (25% of permanent population)
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Total Population: 230,400 (2025)
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Key Characteristics: Key border trade hub between China and Myanmar, Dai make up 64% of the minority population.
Yingjiang County (盈江县)
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Dai Population: 102,000 (33.1% of permanent population)
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Total Population: 308,100 (2023)
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Key Characteristics: Mixed settlement of Dai, Jingpo, and Lisu ethnic groups.
Longchuan County (陇川县)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 54.2% of the total population.
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Total Population: 190,500 (2023)
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Key Characteristics: Home to the Jingpo ethnic group, with Dai concentrated in the Pingba area.
Lianghe County (梁河县)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 34.3% of the total population.
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Total Population: 140,100 (2023)
3. Other Dai Autonomous Counties in Yunnan
Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县), Lincang City (临沧市)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 55.79% of the total population.
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Total Population: 277,900 (2025)
Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县), Pu’er City (普洱市)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 86.4% of the total population.
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Total Population: 139,300 (2024)
Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (景谷傣族彝族自治县), Pu’er City (普洱市)
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Dai Population: Approximately 30% of the total population.
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Total Population: 267,200 (2025)
Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县), Yuxi City (玉溪市)
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Dai Population: Combined with the Yi ethnic group, totaling 184,800 (66.4% of the population).
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Total Population: 260,000 (2024)
Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县), Yuxi City (玉溪市)
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Dai Population: 25,600 (12% of the registered population)
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Total Population: 210,900 (2024)
Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County (金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县), Honghe Prefecture (红河州)
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Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 88.25% of the total population.
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Total Population: 320,100 (2024)
Summary
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Core Settlements: Xishuangbanna and Dehong have the highest proportion of Dai population, with notable concentrations in cities like Jinghong (32.5%) and Mangshi (30.4%).
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Joint Autonomous Counties: Other areas have a mixed population with the Dai living alongside various ethnic groups. The proportion of Dai population varies significantly, as seen in Xinping (66.4%) and Yuanjiang (12%).
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Data Gaps: In some counties such as Mengla and Longchuan, Dai population figures are estimated based on the proportion of ethnic minorities overall.
Note: The data presented here is sourced from government reports, statistical yearbooks, and authoritative population databases (2023-2025).
Dai Ethnic Minority: Distribution, Autonomous Regions, and Notable Villages (2025 Update)
1. Core Distribution Areas and Population Statistics
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)
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Jinghong City (景洪市): Key towns include Menghan Town (勐罕镇) (Olive Dam Dai Ethnic Garden, 橄榄坝傣族园), Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), and Jingha Hani Ethnic Township (景哈哈尼族乡). The Dai population in the city accounts for 32.6% (333,900 people).
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Menghai County (勐海县): Features Blangshan Blang Ethnic Township (布朗山布朗族乡) (a multi-ethnic settlement) and Daluo Town (打洛镇) (border Dai village).
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Mengla County (勐腊县): Notable towns include Guanlei Town (关累镇) and Mengpeng Town (勐捧镇), where Dai people make up 41% of the population in the town.
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)
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Mangshi City (芒市): Key towns include Fengping Town (风平镇) and Zhefang Town (遮放镇), which are home to a concentration of Dai traditional villages.
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Ruili City (瑞丽市): Known for its Dai cultural belt along the China-Myanmar Border, with Jiexiang Town (姐相镇) being a prime example.
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Longchuan County (陇川县): Zhangfeng Town (章凤镇) is a mixed Dai and Jingpo ethnic area.
Overall Population Data:
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Dai population in Dehong Prefecture stands at 364,700 (27.28% of the total population), with an urbanization rate of 51.38%.
Additional Areas
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Pu’er City (普洱市): Zhengdong Town (整董镇) in Jiangcheng County is a Dai Ethnic Town (清代建寨) with multiple ethnicities.
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Lincang City (临沧市): Fengwei Town (凤尾镇) in Zhenkang County has Dai villages where 94% of the population is Dai.
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Baoshan City (保山市): Mengnuo Town (勐糯镇) in Longling County is home to Daizhai Village (大寨村), a historical Dai village dating back to the Qing Dynasty.
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Yuxi City (玉溪市): Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县) is a region of joint ethnic governance.
Provincial Data:
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Total Population: 1.259 million (2020 Census), making up 8.05% of the total ethnic minority population in Yunnan Province.
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Growth Rate: The registered population in Xishuangbanna is growing at an annual rate of 0.8% from 2023 to 2025.
2. Autonomous Administrative Systems and Ethnic Townships
Autonomous Prefectures
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Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州): Located in southern Yunnan, it is home to 32.6% Dai population, and includes 12 traditional “Ban Na” villages.
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Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州): Located in western Yunnan, this region has a significant Dai population (27.28%) and a notable cross-border cultural influence.
Autonomous Counties
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Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县): Located in Yuxi City, this is the only tri-ethnic autonomous county in the country.
Ethnic Townships
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Jingne Township (景讷乡) in Jinghong City: Primarily Dai, with 72.81% of the population belonging to various ethnic minorities.
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Zhengdong Dai Ethnic Town (整董傣族风情小镇): Located in Jiangcheng County, this town preserves traditional Dai culture with its Qing Dynasty-era architecture.
3. National-Level Featured Villages
Certified Traditional Villages
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Dazhai Village (大寨村) in Longling County: Recognized in 2014, this ancient village showcases Qing Dynasty-style Ganlan bamboo houses and Theravada Buddhist temples.
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Mantan Village (曼滩村) in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er City: Listed in 2014 and recognized in 2018 as one of Pu’er’s “Top Ten Historical Buildings”.
Minority Cultural Villages
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Manzhang Village (曼掌村) in Mengla County: Officially recognized in 2019, this village includes a standardized Intangible Cultural Heritage display zone.
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Dai Ethnic Garden (傣族园) in Jinghong City: Comprising five natural villages including Manjiang (曼将) and Manchunman (曼春满), it serves as the main venue for the Water Splashing Festival (泼水节).
Festival Cultural Villages
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Manmai Village (曼迈村) in Puwen Town, Jinghong City: Hosting the main venue for the 2025 Water Splashing Festival, with activities such as the Grand Bazaar and Blessing Ceremonies.
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Manjingbao Village (曼景保村) in Gasa Street: Known for the Dai Lunar New Year (傣历新年), where visitors experience traditional customs such as visiting elders’ homes for festive celebrations.
4. Cultural and Geographical Highlights
Architectural Culture
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Ganlan Bamboo Houses (干栏式竹楼) in Xishuangbanna: Traditional stilted bamboo houses are a distinctive feature of Dai architecture.
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Jinta Buddhist Temple (金塔佛寺) in Dehong: A prominent Buddhist site in the region.
Festivals and Celebrations
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Water Splashing Festival (泼水节): April 14-16, 2025, celebrated across Dai regions with water-splashing rituals and dragon boat races.
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Closing and Opening Festivals (关门节/开门节): Celebrated in the Dai lunar months (September/December), featuring prayer ceremonies and water-dropping rituals.
Economic and Ecological Practices
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Pu’er Tea Cultivation (普洱茶种植) in Menghai County: Known for its world-famous tea.
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Cross-Border Trade (瑞丽口岸) in Ruili City: A key gateway for trade between China and Myanmar.
Note: This report incorporates data from government publications, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and academic studies, with some population figures based on the 2020 census.