A multinational state is a state in which the population consists of two or more ethnically distinct nations that are of significant size. This contrasts with a nation-state where a single nation comprises the bulk of the population.

Examples include

• Belgium
• Canada
• India
• Indonesia
• South Africa
• Switzerland

Multinational states differ from states like Japan, Poland or the Koreas in which an overwhelming majority of the population is ethnically homogenous.

Empires may be dominated by one particular nation, sometimes organized as a nation-state.