Los Angeles, Sep 21 (IANS/EFE): Hispanics will be California's largest ethnic group by early next year, officials said.

"According to estimates based on data from the 2010 census, Hispanics now represent 39 percent of the California population due to their birth rate plus immigration," said Bill Schooling, chief of the demographic research unit of the state's finance department.

"That 39 percent signifies a number equal to that of non-Hispanic whites, and according to the same estimates, there is no doubt that by the beginning of next year, Latinos will have taken the lead over other ethnicities in the state," he said.

Governor Jerry Brown is attempting to make educational programmes for Latinos a priority.

"The Hispanic population is the reason why California is not aging as fast as other states, and the immigration to our state comes mostly from Mexico, Central America and Asia," he said.

The California population stands at 38 million. Latinos and non-Hispanic whites each account for 39 percent of the total, while Asians make up 13.9 percent and blacks account for 6.6 percent.

The remaining 1.7 percent comprises native Americans, among others.