List of languages by number of native speakers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of languages placed in order by the number of native-language speakers, with some data for second-language use. Only languages spoken natively by more than ten million are listed, and then they are listed for secondary locations only when spoken by more than 1% of the population.
For practical reasons in compiling this list, some listings are not single languages in the sense of being mutually intelligible, such as Chinese or Arabic; while in other cases mutually intelligible idioms with separate national standards or self identification have been listed separately, such as Scandinavian, Hindustani, and Malay. This should not be taken as an endorsement of any side of dialect versus language debates.
For the purposes of this article, a "native language" is a language with which a person was raised, while a "second language" is a language that person would use for instruction or everyday communication outside the home. A person may be natively bilingual.
Countries that are not sovereign states are listed according to the corresponding sovereign states.
Data are not all up to date. For a comparison of various estimates, see Language speaker data. For languages spoken by very few people, and so in danger of extinction, see list of endangered languages.
Contents |
[edit] 100 million native speakers or more
[edit] 30–100 million native speakers
Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers | Ranking by number of native speakers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Punjabi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone (Eastern Punjabi) or North-Western Zone (Western Punjabi) | Official in India (Punjab). National language in Pakistan (Punjab). Significant communities in Canada, Fiji, Mauritius, United Kingdom, United States |
Western: 61–62 million (2000 WCD), Eastern: 28 million, Siraiki: 14 million = 104 million total | 14 |
Javanese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi | Native to Indonesia (originally Java). Significant communities in France (New Caledonia), Malaysia, Suriname | 76 million | 14 |
Korean | Altaic (disputed), Korean/Language isolate | Official in People's Republic of China (Yanbian), North Korea, South Korea. Significant communities in Australia, Brazil, Japan, United States (Guam, Hawaii, California, Northern Mariana Islands), Uzbekistan | 71 million | 15 |
Vietnamese | Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Vietic | Official in Vietnam. Significant communities in Australia, Cambodia, Laos, France (New Caledonia), Norway, United States (California), Vanuatu. | 70 million native, perhaps up to 16 million second language, = ~ 86 million total | 17 |
Telugu | Dravidian, South Central | Official in India (Andhra Pradesh, district of Yanam). Significant communities in the United States, Bahrain, Fiji, Mauritius | 70 million native, 10 million second language, = 80 million total (2006) | 18 |
Marathi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone | Official in India (Daman and Diu, Goa, Maharashtra). Significant communities in Mauritius. | 68 million native, 3 million second language, = 71 million total | 19 |
Tamil | Dravidian, Southern | Official in India (Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry), Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Significant communities in Bahrain, Fiji, Mauritius, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa,Canada, France (Reunion). | 68 million native, 9 million second language, = 77 million total | 20 |
Urdu | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Hindustani | Official in India (Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh); Pakistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, Botswana, Fiji, Malawi?, Mauritius, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa?, United Kingdom, United States | 61 million native, 43 million second language, = 104 million total | 21 |
Italian | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italian | Official in Croatia (Istria County), Eritrea, Italy, San Marino, Switzerland (Graubünden, Ticino), Vatican City . Significant communities in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Somalia, Slovenia, United States (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island), Uruguay | 61 million native (all varieties, including 7 million Neapolitan and Calabrese, 5 million Sicilian [see entry below]) | 22 |
Turkish | Altaic, Turkic, Southwestern, Oghuz | Official in Cyprus, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkey. Significant communities in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands. | 60 million native, 15 million second language, = 75 million total (2005 estimate). Total for Oghuz Turkish, including Azeri, Turkmen, and Qashqai, is 100 million native. | 23 |
Kannada | Dravidian, Southern | Official in India (Karnataka). | 55 million native, 9 million second language, = 64 million total (1997) | 24 |
Gujarati | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone | Official in India (Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli). Significant communities in many countries across the world, including Canada, Fiji, Guyana, Kenya, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States. | 46 million | 25 |
Polish | Indo-European, Slavic, West | Official in Poland. Significant communities in Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States (Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas). | 46 million | 26 |
Ukrainian | Indo-European, Slavic, East | Official in Ukraine, Transnistria (de jure part of Moldova). Significant communities in Belarus, Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Israel [citation needed], Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, USA | 39 million | 27 |
Malayalam | Dravidian, Southern | Official in India (Kerala, Lakshadweep, district of Mahe, Puducherry). Significant communities in Bahrain, Canada, Israel, Malayasia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom | 37 million native, 10 million second language = 47 million | 28 |
Oriya | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Magadhi | Official in India (Orissa). | 32 million native (1997) | 30 |
Burmese | Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese | Official in Myanmar. | 32 million native, 10 million second language, = 42 million total | 31 |
Thai | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Be-Tai, Tai-Sek, Tai | Official in Thailand. | ~31 million native (1983 SIL, 1990 Diller, 2000 WCD) (dated data), = ~60 million first & second language (2001 A. Diller). Includes Southern Thai, Northern Thai/Western Lao, but not Shan, Isan, or Lao. | 32 |
[edit] 10–30 million native speakers
Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers | Ranking by number of native speakers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amharic | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South | Official in Ethiopia. Significant communities in Israel. | 27 million native (32.7% Ethiopia [1994 census] and 2.7 million emigrants), 10% (7 million) as a second language = 34 million total | 33 |
Sundanese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi | Native to Indonesia (originally western Java) | 27 million (1990) | 34 |
Azeri | Altaic, Turkic, Southwestern, Oghuz | Official in Azerbaijan. Native to Iran. Significant communities in Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq. | 25–35 million native, including Qashqai (data for Iran uncertain); 8 million second language (outside Iran) | 35 |
Kurdish | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern | Official in Iraq. Native to Armenia, Iran, Syria, Turkey. Significant communities in Germany, Lebanon. | ~10 million (assuming 12% of Turkey) | 36 |
Pashto | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern | Official in Afghanistan. Native to Pakistan. Significant communities in Iran, United Arab Emirates. | 21–27 million (data uncertain; ethnic population ~30 million) | 37 |
Hausa | Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West | Official in Niger, north Nigeria. Significant communities in Chad, Benin, Ghana, Sudan | 24 million native, ~ 15 million second language, = ~ 40 million total | 38 |
Oromo | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East Cushitic | National language of Ethiopia. Significant communities in Kenya | 24 million native (31.6% of Ethiopia [1994 census]), ~ 2 million second language, = 26 million total (1998 census) | 39 |
Romanian | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern | Official in Moldova, Romania, Serbia (Vojvodina). Significant communities in Greece, Hungary, USA, Israel, Spain, Ukraine. | 24–26 million (2002) | 40 |
Tagalog | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Meso Philippine, Central Philippines | Official and Native in Philippines. Significant communities in Canada, People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States (Alaska, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands). | 22 million native (2000 census), ~65 million second language, = 85 million total | 41 |
Dutch | Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Franconian | Official in Belgium (Brussels and Flanders), Kingdom of the Netherlands, Suriname. Significant communities in South Africa | 22 million [2] [3] | 42 |
Uzbek | Altaic, Turkic, Eastern | Official in Uzbekistan. Native to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan | 20 million (1995) | 43 |
Sindhi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in India, Pakistan. Significant communities in People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong) ?, Oman?. | 20 million native, 1 million second language, = 21 million total (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) | 44 |
Yoruba | Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid | Official in Nigeria. Native to Benin | 19 million native, 2 million second language, = 21 million total (1993) | 45 |
Somali | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central Cushitic | Official in Somalia. Native to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya. Significant communities in United Arab Emirates, Yemen | 13–25 million (2004 WCD) | 46 |
Lao | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai | Official in Laos. Native to Thailand. | ~19 million Lao-Phutai dialects (including Isan) (data dated) | 47 |
Cebuano | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Meso Philippine, Central Philippine, Visayan languages, Cebuan | Native to Philippines | 18.5 million native, ~11.5 million second language, =30 million total (2000 census) | 48 |
Malay | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic | Official in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore. Native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. Significant communities in Australia, Bahrain. | 18 million native, 3 million second language, = 21 million total (not counting Indonesian) | 49 |
Igbo | Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Igboid | Official in Nigeria | 18 million native (1999 WA), unknown number second language. | 50 |
Serbo-Croatian | Indo-European, Slavic, South | Official in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian, Montenegro, Serbia and called Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian in respective countries. Significant communities in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia. | 17 million | 51 |
Malagasy | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Barito | Official in Madagascar. Significant communities in Mayotte, Reunion. | 17 million | 52 |
Nepali | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in Nepal, India (Sikkim). Significant communities in Bhutan. | 17 million native (2001 census), perhaps 10–15 million second language? | 53 |
Assamese | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Magadhan Prakrit, Bengali-Assamese | Official in India (Assam). Significant communities in Bhutan. | 15 million (1997) | 54 |
Shona | Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu | National language of Zimbabwe. Significant communities in Botswana, Mozambique. | 15 million native, 1.8 million second language, = 16–17 million total, including Ndau, Manyika (2000 A. Chebanne) | 55 |
Khmer | Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer | Official in Cambodia. Significant communities in Thailand, United States (California), Vietnam | 14 million native, 1 million second language, = 15 million total (2004) | 56 |
Zhuang | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai | Official in People's Republic of China (Guangxi) | 14 million native (1992), unknown number second language | 57 |
Madura | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi | Native to Indonesia (Originally Java, Madura) | 14 million (1995) | 58 |
Hungarian | Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Ugric | Official in Hungary, Serbia (Vojvodina), Slovenia. Significant communities in Israel, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine | 14 million native (1995) | 59 |
Sinhala | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in Sri Lanka. Significant communities in United Arab Emirates | 13 million native, 2 million second language, = 15 million total (1993) | 60 |
Fulani | Niger-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian | Official in Niger, Nigeria. National language in Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal. Significant communities in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sierra Leone. | ~13 million (all varieties) | 61 |
Tamazight | Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern | National language in Algeria (Kabyle), Morocco. Significant communities in France, Netherlands, Spain (Ceuta & Melilla). | 13+ million (1998) | 62 |
Haitian Creole | Indo-European, Romance, Creole | Official in Haiti. Significant communities in Bahamas, Canada (Quebec), Cayman Islands (UK), Dominican Republic, France (Guadeloupe), United States (Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York). | 12 million (2005) | 63 |
Czech | Indo-European, Slavic, West | Official in Czech Republic. | 12 million (1990 WA). | 64 |
Greek | Indo-European, Greek | Official in Cyprus, Greece. Significant communities in Albania, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Georgia. | 12 million (2004), up to 5–6 million more second language | 65 |
Kazakh | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Kazakhstan. Significant communities in People's Republic of China (Xinjiang), Russia, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan | 12 million | 66 |
Quechua | Quechuan | Official in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru. Significant communities in Argentina | 10.4 million, all varieties | 68 |
[edit] 3–10 million native speakers
Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers | Ranking by number of native speakers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Zulu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho, Swaziland | 9.6 million native, ~16 million second language, = ~25 million total (1996 census) | 70 |
Chichewa (Nyanja) | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Malawi, Zambia. Significant communities in Mozambique, Zimbabwe. | 9.3 million native (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk), 0.4 million second language (1999 WA), = 9.7 million total | 71 |
Belarusian | Indo-European, Slavic, East | Official in Belarus. Significant communities in Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, Russia | 9.1 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) | 72 |
Swedish | Indo-European, Germanic, North | National language of Sweden, Finland. | 8.8 million (1986), ~9 million (2005) | 73 |
Kongo | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language in Angola, Congo-Brazzaville (Kituba), Congo-Kinshasa. | 8.7 million, all varieties, including Yombe and creolized Kituba (1986–2002) (dated data) | 74 |
Akan | Niger-Congo, Kwa | National language in Ghana | 8.3 million native, ~1 million second language, = ~10 million total (2004 SIL) | 75 |
Hmong | Hmong-Mien | China. Significant communities in France (French Guiana), Laos, United States (Minnesota, Wisconsin), Vietnam | ~8 million, all varieties (1999 Li Yunbing) | 76 |
Yi | Tibeto-Burman | People's Republic of China | 7.8 million ethnic Yi (2000 census) | 77 |
Tshiluba | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Congo-Kinshasa | 7.8 million native, 0.7 million second language, = 8.5 million total (1991 UBS). Includes 1.5 million Kiluba. | 78 |
Ilokano | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Northern Philippine, Northern Luzon | Philippines. Significant communities in United States (Hawaii). | 7.7 million native (2000 census), ~2.3 second language = 10 million total | 77 |
Uyghur | Altaic, Turkic | Official in People's Republic of China (Xinjiang). Significant communities in Kazakhstan | 7.6 million | 78 |
Bulgarian | Indo-European, Slavic, South | Official in Bulgaria. Significant communities in Moldova. | 6.6 million in Bulgaria (2005) and ~1 million abroad = 7.5 million native | 79 |
Kinyarwanda | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Rwanda. Significant communities in Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda | 7.3 million (1998) | 80 |
Xhosa | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho | 7.2 million (1996 census) | 81 |
Balochi | Indo-European, Iranian | Native to Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan. Significant communities in Oman, United Arab Emirates | 7.0 million (1998) | 82 |
Hebrew | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic | Official in Israel. Significant communities in West Bank (Palestinian Territories), USA (New York, California). | ~7 million native (2004? needs verification), 5.1 million (1998) (10 million literate) | 83 |
Hiligaynon | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Meso Philippine, Central Philippine, Visayan, Central Visayan | Philippines | 6.9 million (2000 census), est. 4.1 million second language = ~11 million total | 84 |
Tigrinya | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic | Official in Eritrea, Ethiopia | 4.5 million in Ethiopia (6% of population-1994 census), ~2.25 million in Eritrea (50% of population-CIA) = 6.75 native, 146,934 as second language (1994 census) = 6.9 million total | 85 |
Catalan | Indo-European, Romance | Official and Native to Andorra, Spain (Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Valencia),Aragon (La Franja), France (Pyrénées-Orientales), Italy (Alghero). | 6.7 million native, ~5 million second language, = ~12 million total (1996) (includes Valencian) | 86 |
Armenian | Indo-European, isolate | Official in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh (de jure part of Azerbaijan). Significant communities in Georgia, Lebanon, Syria, France. | 6.7 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk, etc.) | 87 |
Minangkabau | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic | Indonesia (Sumatra) | 6.5 million (1981 Moussay) (dated data) | 88 |
Turkmen | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Turkmenistan. Significant communities in Afghanistan, Iran. | 6.4 million (1995) | 89 |
Makua | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Mozambique. Significant communities in Tanzania | 6.4 million, all varieties, including Lomwe | 90 |
Santali | Austro-Asiatic, Munda | Official in India | 6.2 million (1997) | 92 |
Batak | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Northern Sumatra | Indonesia | ~6.2 million, all varieties (c. 1991 UBS) (dated data). Includes Toba, Dairi, Simalungun, etc. | 93 |
Albanian | Indo-European, isolate | Official in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia (Kosovo). Significant communities in Greece, Italy. | 6.0 million (data from Albania dated) | 94 |
Afrikaans | Indo-European, Germanic, Low Franconian, Dutch | Official in South Africa, Namibia. Significant communities in Botswana. | 6.0 million native, 10.3 million second language, = 16 million total (1996 census) | 95 |
Mongolian | Altaic, Mongolian | Official in People's Republic of China (Inner Mongolia), Mongolia | 5.7 million | 96 |
Bhili | Indo-European, Indic | India | 5.6 million, all varieties (1994) (dated data). Includes 1.6 million Wagdi, etc. | 97 |
Danish | Indo-European, Germanic, North | Official in Denmark, Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark). Significant communities in Germany (Southern Schleswig) | 5.6 million (2006?) | 98 |
Finnish | Uralic, Finnic | Official in Finland, Russia (Republic of Karelia). Significant communities in Sweden and Estonia. | 5.4 million (1993) (dated data) | 99 |
Sanskrit | Indian, Used in religious practises in Hinduism,. | 5.3 million (1993) (dated data) | 99 | |
Gikuyu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Kenya | 5.3 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) | 100 |
Slovak | Indo-European, Slavic, West | Official in Slovakia. | 5.0 million (1990 WA) | 101 |
More | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Burkina Faso | ~5 million (1991) | 102 |
Swahili | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Tanzania. Significant communities in Comoros, Mayotte, Oman, Réunion. | ~5 million native, ~40 million second language [data need verification; only 700 thousand native in Tanzania] | 103 |
Guarani | Tupi | Official in Paraguay. Significant communities in Argentina. | 4.9 million (1995) | 104 |
Kirundi | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Burundi. | 4.9 million (1986) (dated data) | 105 |
Sesotho (southern) | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Lesotho, South Africa. | 4.9 million (1996 census) | 106 |
Romani | Indo-European, Indic | Significant communities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey | 4.8 million, all varieties, including Domari (data for Vlax 2002–2004; for Domari 2000 WCD). | 107 |
Norwegian | Indo-European, Germanic, North | Official in Norway. | 4.7 million (2006, Statistics Norway) | 108 |
Tibetan | Tibeto-Burman | Official in People's Republic of China (Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Sichuan, Gansu) | 4.6 million, all varieties | 109 |
Tswana | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Botswana, South Africa. National language of Namibia | 4.4 million native, 0.2 million second language, = 4.6 million total (1993 Johnstone) (dated data) | 110 |
Kanuri | Nilo-Saharan, Saharan | Official in Niger, Nigeria. Significant communities in Chad (Kanembu) | 4.4 million native, 0.5 million second language, = 4.9 million total (data mostly from 1985) (dated data) | 111 |
Kashmiri | Indo-European, Indic | Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir), Native to Pakistan. | 4.6 million (1997) | 112 |
Bikol | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Meso Philippine, Central Philippine | Philippines | 4.5 native, all varieties (2000 census), unknown number second language | 113 |
Georgian | Kartvelian | Official in Georgia. Significant communities in Israel. | 4.2 million (1993 UBS) | 114 |
Umbundu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Angola | ~4 million native, unknown number second language (1995 WA) | 115 |
Konkani | Indo-European, Indic | Official in India (Goa).Significant communities in Uttara Kannada,Dakshina Kannada. | ~4 million (1999 WA) | 116 |
Balinese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Bali-Sasak | Indonesia (Bali, Lombok) | 3.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) | 117 |
Northern Sotho (sePedi) | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Botswana | 3.7 million (1996 census) | 118 |
Luyia | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 3.6 million (1989 census) (dated data) | 119 |
Wolof | Niger-Congo, Atlantic | National language in Mauritania, Senegal. Significant communities in The Gambia. | 3.6 million native (2002), unknown number second language | 120 |
Bemba | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Zambia | 3.6 million native, unknown number second language (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) | 121 |
Buginese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, South Sulawesi | Indonesia | 3.5 million native, 0.5 million second language, = ~4 million total (1991 SIL) | 122 |
Luo (Dholuo) | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Kenya | 3.5 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) | 123 |
Maninka | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Guinea, Mali. Significant numbers in Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone. | 3.3 million, all varieties | 124 |
Mazanderani | Indo-European, Iranian | Iran | 3.3 million (1993) (dated data) (numbers may be confused with or include Gilaki) | 125 |
Gilaki | Indo-European, Iranian | Iran | 3.3 million (1993) (dated data) (numbers may be confused with or include Mazanderani) | 126 |
Shan | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai | Myanmar | 3.3 million | 127 |
Tsonga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Mozambique, Swaziland. | 3.3 million (1989, 1996) (dated data) | 128 |
Galician | Indo-European, Romance. | Official in Spain. | 3.2 million (1986) (data dated) | 129 |
Sukuma | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | 3.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) | 130 |
Yiddish | Indo-European, Germanic | Significant communities in Belarus, Israel, Latvia, Ukraine. | 3.2 million | 131 |
Jamaican Creole | Indo-European, Germanic, Creole | Jamaica. Significant communities in Panama, Costa Rica | 3.2 million (2001) | 131 |
Kyrgyz | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Kyrgyzstan. Native to Tajikistan | 3.1 million (1993 UBS) (dated data) | 132 |
Waray-Waray | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Meso Philippine, Central Philippine, Visayan, Central Visayan | Philippines | 3.1 native (2000 census), unknown number second language | 132 |
Ewe | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Official in Togo. National language of Ghana. | 3.1 million native, 0.5 million second language, = 3.6 million total (2003) | 132 |
Lithuanian | Indo-European, Baltic | Official in Lithuania. Significant communities in Latvia. | 3.1 million (1998) | 132 |
Luganda | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Uganda | 3.0 million native (1991 census), ~1 million second language (1999 WA), = ~ 4 million total | 135 |
Lusoga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Uganda, official status unclear/pending | +/- 3 million native speakers (2002 census), +/- 100 000 second language speakers (dated data) | 136 |
Acehnese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic | Indonesia | ~3 million (1999 WA) | 137 |
Kimbundu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Angola | ~3 million (1999 WA) | 138 |
Hindko | Indo-European, Indic | Pakistan | ~3 million (1993) (dated data) | 139 |
Ibibio-Efik | Niger-Congo, Cross River | Efik official in Nigeria | ~3 million, including Anaang (1990; 1998 B. Connell) (dated data) | 140 |
[edit] 1–3 million native speakers
Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers |
---|---|---|---|
Rajbangsi | Indo-European, Indic | India | 3.0 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Garhwali | Indo-European, Indic | India | 2.9 million (2000) |
Bambara | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Mali | 2.8 million native, 10 million second language, = 13 million total |
Ometo | Afro-Asiatic, Omotic | Ethiopia | 2.8 million, all varieties, including Welayta (1998 census) |
Indian Sign Language | Language isolate (Sign language) | Bangladesh, India, Pakistan | 2.7 million in India, plus unknown number in Bangladesh, Pakistan (2003). Same language as Pakistani Sign Language |
Betawi creole | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Indonesia | 2.7 million (1993 Johnstone) (dated data) |
Karen | Tibetan-Burman | Myanmar, Thailand | 2.6 million, all varieties (dated data) |
Gondi | Dravidian | India | 2.6 million (1997) |
Senoufo | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Mali. Native to Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire. | 2.6 million, all varieties (1991, 1993, 2001) (dated data) |
Kalenjin | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Kenya | 2.5 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
Kumauni | Indo-European, Indic | India | 2.4 million in India (1998) |
Kamba | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 2.4 million native, 0.6 million second language, = 3.0 million total (1989 census) (dated data) |
Luri | Indo-European, Iranian | Iran | 2.4 million (1999, 2001) |
K'iche' | Mayan | Guatemala | 2.3 million (2000 SIL) |
Kapampangan | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Philippines | 2.3 million (2000 census) |
Aymara | Aymaran | Official in Bolivia, Peru. Significant numbers in Argentina. | 2.2 million Central Aymara (1987), plus unknown number Southern Aymara in Peru (dated data; needs confirmation) |
Tiv | Niger-Congo, Bantoid | Nigeria | 2.2 million native, unknown number second language (1991 UBS) (dated data) |
Brahui | Dravidian | Pakistan, Afghanistan | 2.2 million |
Gbaya | Niger-Congo, Ubangian | Central African Republic, Congo-Kinshasa | 2.2 million, all varieties, including Ngbaka (2000 WCD) |
Zarma | Nilo-Saharan, Songhai | Official in Niger | 2.2 million (1998) |
Baoul | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Côte d'Ivoire | 2.1 million (1993 SIL) (dated data) |
Dogri | Indo-European, Indic | Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir) | 2.1 million (1997) |
Lingala | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa. | 2.1 million native (2000 WCD), 7 million second language in Congo-Kinshasa (1999 WA), unknown additional second language speakers in Congo-Brazzaville, = 9+ million total. According to Britannica (2005 Yearbook) more than 36 million people speak lingala as lingua franca. |
Sasak | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Indonesia | 2.1 million (1989) (dated data) |
Kurux | Dravidian | India, Nepal | 2.1 million (1997) |
Mundari | Austro-Asiatic, Munda | India | 2.1 million (1997) |
Dinka | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Southern Sudan | 2+ million |
Slovenian | Indo-European, Slavic | Official in Austria, Italy, Slovenia. | 2.0 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Buyei | Tai-Kadai | China | ~2 million (1990 census) (dated data) |
Beti-Pahuin | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea. Significant communities in Cameroon, São Tomé and Príncipe. | ~2 million. Includes Fang, Ewondo, etc. |
Dimli | Indo-European, Iranian | Turkey | 1.5–2.5 million (all dialects) (1998 Paul) |
Tulu | Dravidian | India | 1.9 million (1997) |
Sidamo | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic | Ethiopia | 1.9 million, 0.1 million second language, = 2.0 million total (1998 census) |
Bashkir | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Russia (Bashkortostan) | 1.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Yao | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique | ~1.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Chuvash | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Russia (Chuvashia) | 1.8 million native, 0.2 million second language, = 2.0 million total (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Ijaw | Niger-Congo, unclassified | Nigeria | 1.8 million (all varieties) |
Fon | Niger-Congo, Kwa | National language of Benin Significant communities in Togo | 1.7 million native (2000 Hoddenbagh), unknown number second language |
Swazi | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa, Swaziland. Significant communities in Lesotho | 1.7 million (1996 census, 1993 Johnstone) |
Nyankore | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Uganda | 1.6 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Tatar | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Russia (Tatarstan). Significant communities in Bashkortostan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan | 1.6 million (1989 census) [6.6 million ethnic Tatar] |
Makasar | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Indonesia | 1.6 million native, 0.4 million second language, = 2 million total (1989) (dated data) |
Macedonian language | Indo-European, Slavic | Official in Macedonia | 1.6 million (1986) (dated data) |
Gusii | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 1.6 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
Khandesi | Indo-European, Indic | India | 1.6 million (1997) |
Ndebele | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. National language of Zimbabwe. | 1.6 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Chin | Tibetan-Burman | Myanmar, India | 1.6 million (1990 BAP, 1996 UBS) (dated data). All varieties, but not including Mizo etc. |
Sara | Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic, Bongo-Bagirmi | National language of Chad. Significant communities in Central African Republic. | 1.5 million native, all varieties, large number second-language speakers (dated data) |
Pangasinan | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Philippines | 1.5 million (2000 census) |
Latvian | Indo-European, Baltic | Official in Latvia. Significant communities in Australia. | 1.5 million |
Tonga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Zambia, Zimbabwe | 1.5 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Lampung | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Indonesia | ~1.5 million (1981 Wurm and Hattori) (dated data) |
Sardinian | Indo-European, Romance | Official in Italy (Sardinia) | ~1.5 million (1977 M. Ibba, Rutgers University) (dated data) |
Scots | Indo-European, Germanic, West, Anglic | Scotland, Significant communities in Northern Ireland | ~1.5 million native (General Register Office for Scotland, 1996) |
Dong | Tai-Kadai | China | 1.5 million |
Mende | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Sierra Leone | 1.5 million native, unknown number second language (1987 UBS) (dated data) |
Tày | Tai-Kadai | Vietnam | 1.5 million in Viet Nam (1999 census) |
Nahuatl | Uto-Aztecan, isolate | Mexico | 1.4 million (all varieties) (dated data) |
Afar | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic | Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti | 1.4 million (1998 census) |
Dagbani | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Ghana | 1.4 million, including Kusaal, Mampruli (2004 SIL) |
Koli | Indo-European, Indic | India, Pakistan | 1.4 million, all varieties (some data dated) |
Chiga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Uganda | 1.4 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Tumbuka | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Malawi. Significant communities in Zambia | 1.3 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Iu Mien | Hmong-Mien, Yao | China | 1.3 million, all varieties (1995 Wang and Mao) |
Meru | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 1.3 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
Gogo | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | ~1.3 million (1992 UBS) (dated data) |
Teso | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Uganda. Significant communities in Kenya | 1.3 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Meithei | Tibetan-Burman | Official in India (Manipur) | 1.3 million (1997) |
Tamang | Tibetan-Burman | Nepal | 1.3 million |
Makonde | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania, Mozambique | 1.3 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Bai | Tibetan-Burman, unclassified | China | 1.2 million (2003) |
Tuareg | Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Southern | Official in Niger. National language of Mali. | 1.2 million (1991–1998) [dated data] |
Mandinka | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Senegal. Significant communities in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau. | 1.2 million (2002) |
Jula | Niger-Congo, Mande | Native to Burkina Faso, Significant communities in Côte d'Ivoire | ~1.2 million native, 3–4 million second language |
Temne | Niger-Congo, Atlantic | National language of Sierra Leone | ~1.2 million native, 0.2 million second language, = ~1.4 million total (1989 J. Kaiser) (dated data) |
Haya | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | ~1.2 million (1991 UBS) (dated data) |
Serer | Niger-Congo, Atlantic | National language of Senegal. Significant communities in Gambia. | 1.2 million (2002) |
Beja | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic or isolate | Sudan, Eritrea | 1.2 million (1982 SIL) (dated data) |
Nyamwezi | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | 1.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Abron | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Ghana | 1.2 million (2003) |
Alur | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda | 1.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Sena | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Mozambique, Malawi | 1.2 million, all varieties |
Azande | Niger-Congo, Ubangian | Congo-Kinshasa, Southern Sudan, Central African Republic | 1.1 million (dated data) |
Walloon | Indo-European, Romance | Belgium | 1.1 million (1998) |
Anyi | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana | 1.2 million (1993 SIL) (dated data) |
Malvi | Indo-European, Indic | India | 1.1 million (1997) |
Kinaray-a | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Philippines | 1.1 million native (2000 census) |
Soninke | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language in Mali, Mauritania, Senegal. Significant communities in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia. | 1.10 million (1991) (dated data) |
Ho | Austro-Asiatic, Munda | India | 1.08 million (1997) |
Estonian | Uralic, Finnic | Official in Estonia | 1.08 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
Nyakyusa | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania, Malawi | 1.05 million (1992 UBS) (dated data) |
Gwari | Niger-Congo, Nupe | Nigeria | 1.05 million (1991 SIL, 2002 SIL) (dated data) |
Lugbara | Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic, Moru-Madi | Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda | 1.04 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk, 1983 SIL) (dated data) |
Naga | Tibetan-Burman | India | 1.03 million, all varieties (1997) |
Susu | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Guinea. Significant communities in Sierra Leone. | 1.03 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Tausug | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Philippines Significant communities in Indonesia (Kalimantan), Malaysia (Sabah) | 1.02 million native (2000 census) |
Chokwe | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Angola. Significant communities in Congo-Kinshasa | 1.01 million (1990 UBS) (dated data) |
Kabardian | Caucasic, Circassian | Official in Russia (Kabardino-Balkaria). Significant communities in Karachay-Cherkessia, Turkey | 1.01 million (1993 UBS, 2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) (dated data) |
Ryūkyū | Japonic, Ryūkyūan | Japan | 1.01 million, all varieties (2000 WCD) |
Magindanaw | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Philippines | 1.0 million native (2000 census), unknown number second language |
Maranao | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Philippines | 1.0 million native (2000 census) |
Songe | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Congo-Kinshasa | ~1 million (1991 WA) (dated data) |
Rejang | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian | Indonesia | ~1 million (1981 Wurm and Hattori) (dated data) |
Bini | Niger-Congo, Edo | Official in Nigeria | ~1 million (1999 WA) |
Ebira | Niger-Congo, Nupe | Nigeria | ~1 million (1989 J. Adive) (dated data) |
Dagaare | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Ghana. Significant communities in Burkina Faso. | ~1 million (2003) |
Gujari | Indo-European, Indic | Afghanistan, India, Pakistan | 0.99 million (2000 WCD) |
Tharu | Indo-European, Indic | Nepal | 0.99 million, all varieties |
Chechen | Caucasic, Nakh | Official in Russia (Chechnya). | 0.96 million (1989 census) (dated data!) |
Venda | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa | 0.96 million (1996 census) |
Arakanese | Tibetan-Burman | Myanmar, Bangladesh | 0.95 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |