The aim of this final thesis is to show and explain selected determinants of the social picture of indigenous peoples that many economists and historians encounter. The social picture enables monitoring of the social situation, gives overview of socio-economics indicators, can be used in planning of measures and interventions based on group specificities. Indigenous peoples are the first residents that were already settled on the land before the arrival of the non-indigenous culture and have different values and preserve the tradition. This paper describes the challenges and problems of indigenous peoples, with the special highlight on social picture and chosen examples of Maya and Yanomami. After the introduction, the concept and the importance to study indigenous peoples are explained. The next chapters refer to the analysis of the examples of Maya and Yanomami and the presentation of the characteristics of the health and social protection of the indigenous peoples. The last chapter is directed on the influence of global surroundings on indigenous peoples, before concluding considerations. Maye and Yanomami are faced with the different negative influences such as constrained rights and opportunities to participate in decision-making, marginalisation and discrimination, environmental pollution, severe weather events, inequalities, spread of diseases, depletion of mineral resources, threats, humanitarian crises, deforestation etc. Global institutions and organisations develop programmes and implement projects which help indigenous peoples and try to protect their rights and values at least partly. But, their position in the society is still prone to social exclusion and the need for interventions and interactions, with the aim to increase their quality of life, which is confirmed in this thesis.