Origins & History
Celtic peoples originally inhabited much of Iron Age Europe, from the British Isles to the Balkans, before being displaced or absorbed by Roman and later Germanic and Slavic expansions. Today, "Celt" typically refers to speakers of surviving Celtic languages and their descendants: Irish, Scots (particularly Gaelic-speakers), Welsh, Bretons, Cornish, and Manx.
Geographic Distribution
Modern Celtic populations are concentrated in Ireland (around 5 million), Scotland (around 5 million), Wales (around 3 million), Brittany in northwestern France (around 3 million ethnic Bretons), and small revivalist communities in Cornwall and the Isle of Man. Celtic languages are spoken as first languages by declining but active communities in each region.
Diaspora & Migration
The Celtic diaspora, particularly Irish and Scottish, is one of the most extensive in the world. Around 40 million Americans claim Irish ancestry and 25 million claim Scottish ancestry. Large Celtic-descended populations also live in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and South Africa, largely a legacy of 19th-century emigration and highland clearances.
About This Map
This map shows crowd perceptions of Celtic populations. Because Celtic identity encompasses both current speakers and large heritage communities, votes may reflect a wide geographic distribution.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Celts populations live.