Demography

The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, primarily found in Nigeria, with a significant population across the world due to migration and the historical transatlantic slave trade. The Yoruba population worldwide is estimated to be over 50 million. They maintain a strong cultural identity, characterized by language, religion, and traditions, regardless of geographic location. Major Yoruba diaspora communities, especially in the Americas and Europe, continue to influence global cultural and religious practices.

Global Demographic Distribution of the Yoruba People:

Nigeria: Southwestern Nigeria is the cultural and population center of the Yoruba people, with key states including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti with Kwara and western Kogi. The Yoruba population in Nigeria is estimated to be over 45 million, making them one of the country's largest ethnic groups. Yoruba communities in Nigeria are predominantly urbanized, with major cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Abeokuta playing central roles in economic, cultural, and political life.

Benin and Togo: There are substantial Yoruba communities in Benin and Togo, especially in border regions like Porto-Novo, where the Yoruba have lived for centuries. In these countries, the Yoruba maintain cultural and religious practices similar to those in Nigeria, though many have also adopted the languages and cultures of their host nations.

The Americas (Diaspora): Due to the transatlantic slave trade, many Yoruba people were forcibly taken to the Americas, leading to a large Yoruba diaspora across countries like Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, and Haiti. In Brazil, especially in Salvador, Bahia, and Cuba, Yoruba religious traditions such as Candomblé and Santería remain alive, with strong cultural links to Yoruba spirituality (e.g., the worship of Orishas). In the United States, there is a significant Yoruba population, particularly among African American communities who have reconnected with Yoruba heritage, as well as Nigerian Yoruba immigrants in cities like New York, Houston, and Atlanta.

The United Kingdom and Europe: The Yoruba are among the largest Nigerian diaspora groups in the UK, with significant populations in London and Manchester. The Yoruba in Europe have established vibrant communities and cultural organizations, promoting Yoruba language, culture, and traditions.

Other African Nations: Besides Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, Yoruba people are found in small numbers across West Africa, including in countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone, largely due to historical migration, trade, and modern migration.