The
Rakhine (,
Rakhine pronunciation ; ; formerly
Arakanese), are an
ethnic group in
Myanmar (Burma) forming the majority along the coastal region of present-day
Rakhine State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar's total population but no accurate census figures exist. Arakanese people also live in the southeastern parts of Bangladesh, especially in
Chittagong and
Barisal Divisions. A group of Arakanese descendants, living in the
Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh at least since the 16th century, are known as the
Marma people. These Arakanese descendants have been living in that area since the Arakanese kingdom's control of the
Chittagong region.