Viet Nam has 54 different ethnic groups, with the Kinh representing 87% of the total population. The rest are ethnic minorities scattered all over the country, mostly in mountainous and remote areas. Population migration is an important factor in rural-urban population growth differentials. The General Statistics Office survey on migration and family planning indicates that substantial spontaneous migration has been taking place and that migrants from rural to urban areas are numerous.
The estimated population of Viet Nam was 86 025 000 in 2009, 49.4% of them male. The population density is 263 persons per square kilometre, with most (70.3%) of the population living in rural areas.