The Karen or Kayin people (Pwa Ka Nyaw Poe or Kanyaw in Sgaw Karen and Ploan in Poe Karen; Kariang or Yang in Thai); are a Sino-Tibetan language speaking ethnic group which resides primarily in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar).

The Karen make up approximately 7 percent of the total Burmese population of approximately 50 million people. A large number of Karen also reside in Thailand; mostly on the Thai-Burmese border.

The Karen are often confused with the Red Karen (or Karenni). One subgroup of the Karenni; the Padaung tribe from the border region of Burma and Thailand; are best known for the neck rings worn by the women of this group of people.

Karen legends refer to a 'river of running sand' which ancestors reputedly crossed. Many Karen think this refers to the Gobi Desert; although they have lived in Burma for centuries.

The Karen constitute the biggest ethnic population in Burma after the Bamars and Shans