Language |
Family |
Ethnologue (2005 estimate)[੮] |
Encarta estimate[੨] |
Other estimates |
Ranking by Ethnologue estimate |
German |
Indo-European, Germanic, West |
95.4 million |
100.1 million |
101 million native (95 million Standard German [2004 CIA], 5 million Swiss German), 60 million second language in EU[੯] + 5 - 20 million worldwide. 101 million native, ~70 million second language, ~170 million total |
10 |
Javanese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi |
75.5 million |
75.6 million |
70-75 million |
11 |
Wu |
Sino-Tibetan, Chinese |
77.2 million |
-- |
77 million native |
12 |
Telugu |
Dravidian, South Central |
69.7 million |
69.7 million |
76 million native, 10 million second language, = 86 million total (2001)ਨਮੂਨਾ:Fact |
13 |
Marathi |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
68 million |
68 million |
68 million native, 3 million second language, = 71 million total |
14 |
Vietnamese |
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Vietic |
67.4 million |
68 million |
70 million native, perhaps up to 16 million second language, = ~ 86 million total |
15 |
Korean |
Language isolate |
67 million |
78 million |
71 million |
16 |
Tamil |
Dravidian, Southern |
66 million |
66 million |
62 million native, 10 million second language, = 72 million totalਨਮੂਨਾ:Fact |
17 |
French |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance |
64.8 million |
78 million |
115 million 'real speakers' (includes some second language speakers) ,[੧੦] 250 million second language (worldwide including Africa and North Africa) = 365 million total and up to 500 million total with significant knowledge of the language[੧੧] |
18 |
Italian |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance |
61.5 million |
62 million |
61 million native |
19 |
(Western) Punjabi |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Western Panjabi: 60.8 million
Eastern Panjabi 27.1 million |
57.1 million |
Dependent on definition of Punjabi, Western: 61–62 million (2000 WCD), Eastern: 28 million, Siraiki: 14 million = 104 million total |
20 |
Urdu |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
60.5 million |
60.3 million |
61 million native, 43 million second language, = 104 million total |
21 |
Cantonese |
Sino-Tibetan, Chinese |
54.8 million |
-- |
66 million native, perhaps up to about 100 million total |
22 |
Turkish |
Altaic, Turkic, Oghuz |
50.6 million |
61 million |
74million (2006 estimate)[੧੨] + 15 million second language = 89 million |
23 |
Min Nan |
Sino-Tibetan, Chinese |
46.2 million |
-- |
Southern Min: 49m, Northern Min 10.43m |
24 |
Gujarati |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
46.1 million |
46.1 million |
-- |
25 |
Polish |
Indo-European, Slavic, West |
42.7 million |
44 million |
-- |
26 |
Ukrainian |
Indo-European, Slavic, East |
39.4 million |
47 million |
-- |
27 |
Persian |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian |
39.4m[੧੩] |
31.3 million |
ca. 61 million;[੧੪] sometimes taken to include all of Southwestern Iranian (Luri, Tati, and other); ca. 50 million second languageਨਮੂਨਾ:Fact, ca. 110 million total |
28 |
Malayalam |
Dravidian, Southern |
35.8 million |
35.7 million |
38 million native, 10 million second language = 48 million |
29 |
Kannada |
Dravidian, Southern |
35.4 million |
35.4 million |
55 million native, 9 million second language, = 64 million totalਨਮੂਨਾ:Fact |
30 |
Azerbaijani |
Altaic, Turkic, Oghuz |
Iranian Azerbaijan: 24 million
Republic of Azerbaijan: 7 million |
31.4 million |
25–35 million native, including Qashqai (data for Iran uncertain); 8 million second language (outside Iran) |
31 |
Oriya |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
31.7 million |
32.3 million |
-- |
32 |
Hakka |
Sino-Tibetan, Chinese |
29.9 million |
-- |
34 million |
33 |
Burmese |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese |
22 million (1996) |
32.3 million (2006) |
32 million native, 10 million second language, = 42 million total |
34 |
Thai |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Be-Tai, Tai-Sek, Tai |
20.05 million (1996) |
46.1 million (2006) |
~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. |
35 |
Language |
Family |
Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population |
SIL estimate[੨] |
Number of speakers |
Ranking by number of native speakers |
Amharic |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South |
Official in Ethiopia. Significant communities in Israel. |
17.4 million (2006) |
27 million native (32.7% Ethiopia [1994 census] and 2.7 million emigrants), 10% (7 million) as a second language = 34 million total |
36 |
Sundanese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi |
Native to Indonesia (origin in western Java) |
27 million (2006) |
27 million (1990) |
37 |
Romanian |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance |
Official in Moldova, Romania, Serbia (Vojvodina). Significant communities in Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, USA. |
26.3 million (2006) |
26 million native,[੨] 4 million second language. The total is about 30 million.[੧੫] |
38 |
Kurdish |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern |
Official in Iraq. Native to Armenia, Iran, Syria, Turkey. Significant communities in Germany, Lebanon. |
6 million (In Iraqi Kurdistan 2006) |
~31,417,000 (see article for full list) |
39 |
Dutch |
Indo-European, Germanic, West |
Official in Belgium (Brussels and Flanders), Kingdom of the Netherlands, Suriname. Significant communities in South Africa, Bonaire island and Sint Maarten island |
20 million (2006) |
25 million[੧੬][੯] |
40 |
Pashto |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern |
Official in Afghanistan. Native to Pakistan. Significant communities in Iran, United Arab Emirates. |
22.8 million (2006) |
21–25 million (data uncertain; ethnic population ~25 million) |
43 |
Hausa |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West |
Official in Niger, north Nigeria. Significant communities in Chad, Benin, Ghana, Sudan |
24.2 million (2006) |
24 million native, ~ 15 million second language, = ~ 40 million total |
42 |
Indonesian |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian |
23.1 million, national language in Indonesia |
17.1 million |
140 million second language |
43 |
Oromo |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East Cushitic |
National language of Ethiopia. Significant communities in Kenya |
17.2 million (2006) |
24 million native (31.6% of Ethiopia [1994 census]), ~ 2 million second language, = 26 million total (1998 census) |
43 |
Tagalog |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-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). |
17 million (2006) |
22 million native (2000 census), ~65 million second language, = 85 million total |
44 |
Uzbek |
Altaic, Turkic, Eastern |
Official in Uzbekistan. Native to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan |
20.1 million (2006) |
20 million (1995) |
45 |
Sindhi |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in India, Pakistan. Significant communities in People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong) ?, Oman? and Gibraltar. |
24.5 million (2006) |
28 million native, 2 million second language, = 30 million total (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
41 |
Yoruba |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid |
Official in Nigeria. Native to Benin |
20 million (2006) |
19 million native, 2 million second language, = 21 million total (1993) |
47 |
Somali |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East |
Official in Somalia. Native to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya. Significant communities in Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates,United Kingdom, United States Yemen |
9.8 million (2006) |
10-16 million native and at least 500,000 second language speakers.million (2004 WCD) |
48 |
Lao |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai |
Official in Laos. Native to Thailand. |
3.2 million (2006) |
~19 million Lao-Phutai dialects (including Isan) (data dated) |
49 |
Cebuano |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
Native to Philippines |
15 million (2006) |
18.5 million native, ~11.5 million second language, =30 million total (2000 census) |
50 |
Malay |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic |
Official in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore. Native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. Significant communities in Australia, Bahrain. |
23.6 million (2006) |
18 million native, 3 million second language, = 21 million total (not counting Indonesian) |
51 |
Igbo |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Igboid |
Official in Nigeria |
18 million (2006) |
18 million native (1999 WA), unknown number second language. |
52 |
Serbo-Croatian |
Indo-European, Slavic, South |
Official in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and called Croatian and Serbian in respective countries. Significant communities in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia. |
11.1 million (2006) |
17 million |
53 |
Malagasy |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Barito |
Official in Madagascar. Significant communities in Mayotte, Réunion. |
10.5 million (2006) |
17 million |
54 |
Nepali |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in Nepal, India (Sikkim). Significant communities in Bhutan. |
approx. 30 Million in Nepal.16 Million as native tongue & 15 as a second language(2006) |
40 Million(2006) |
55 |
Assamese |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in India (Assam). Significant communities in Bhutan. |
15.4 million (2006) |
15 million (1997) |
56 |
Shona |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
National language of Zimbabwe. Significant communities in Botswana, Mozambique. |
14 million (2006) |
15 million native, 1.8 million second language, = 16–17 million total, including Ndau, Manyika (2000 A. Chebanne) |
57 |
Khmer |
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Khmer |
Official in Cambodia. Significant communities in Thailand, United States (California), Vietnam |
8 million (2006) |
14 million native, 1 million second language, = 15 million total (2004) |
58 |
Zhuang |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai |
Official in People's Republic of China (Guangxi) |
14 million (2006) |
14 million native (1992), unknown number second language |
59 |
Madurese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi |
Native to Indonesia (Originally Java, Madura) |
13.7 million (2006) |
14 million (1995) |
60 |
Hungarian |
Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Ugric |
Official in Hungary, Serbia (Vojvodina), Slovenia. Significant communities in Israel, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine |
14.5 million (2006) |
14 million native (1995) |
61 |
Sinhalese |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in Sri Lanka. Significant communities in United Arab Emirates |
13.2 million (2006) |
13 million native, 2 million second language, = 15 million total (1993) |
62 |
Fula |
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. |
11.4 million (2006) |
~13 million (all varieties) |
63 |
Tamazight |
Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern |
National language in Algeria (Kabyle), Morocco. Significant communities in France, Netherlands, Spain (Ceuta & Melilla). |
3.5 million (2006) |
13+ million (1998) |
64 |
Haitian Creole |
Indo-European, Romance, Creole |
Official in Haiti. Significant communities in Bahamas, Canada (Quebec), Cuba, Cayman Islands (UK), Dominican Republic, France (Guadeloupe), United States (Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York). |
7.8 million (2006) |
12 million (2005) |
65 |
Czech |
Indo-European, Slavic, West |
Official in Czech Republic. |
12 million (2006) |
12 million (1990 WA). |
66 |
Greek |
Indo-European, Greek |
Official in Cyprus, Greece. Significant communities in Albania, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Georgia. |
12 million (2006) |
12 million (2004), up to 5–6 million more second language |
67 |
Kazakh |
Altaic, Turkic, Northwestern, Southern |
Official in Kazakhstan. Significant communities in People's Republic of China (Xinjiang), Russia, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
8 million (2006) |
12 million |
68 |
Quechua |
Quechuan |
Official in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru. Significant communities in Argentina |
8.3 million (2006) |
10.4 million, all varieties |
69 |
Language |
Family |
Official status and where spoken natively by more than 1% of the population |
SIL estimate[੨] |
Number of speakers |
Ranking by number of native speakers |
Zulu |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho, Swaziland |
9.1 million (2006) |
9.6 million native, ~16 million second language, = ~25 million total (1996 census) |
70 |
Tajik |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian |
Official in Tajikistan. Significant communities in Uzbekistan |
4,380,212. |
? |
Chichewa (Nyanja) |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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 |
10.2 million (2006) |
9.1 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
72 |
Lombard |
Indo-European, Romance |
Native to Italy |
-- |
5 million Western Lombard + 3 million Eastern Lombard + others = 9.13 million (Ethnologue 2006) |
73 |
Swedish |
Indo-European, Germanic, North |
National language of Sweden. Official language of Finland. |
9 million (2006) |
8.8 million (1986), ~9 million (2005) |
74 |
Kongo |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
National language in Angola, Congo-Brazzaville (Kituba), Congo-Kinshasa. |
4.7 million (2006) |
8.7 million, all varieties, including Yombe and creolized Kituba (1986–2002) (dated data) |
75 |
Akan |
Niger-Congo, Kwa |
National language in Ghana |
7 million (2006) |
8.3 million native, ~1 million second language, = ~10 million total (2004 SIL) |
76 |
Albanian |
Indo-European, isolate |
Official in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia (Kosovo). Significant communities in Greece, Italy. |
8.1 million (2006) |
10.0 million (data from Albania dated) |
77 |
Hmong |
Hmong-Mien |
China. Significant communities in France (French Guiana), Laos, United States (Minnesota, Wisconsin), Vietnam |
2.8 million (2006) |
~8 million, all varieties (1999 Li Yunbing) |
78 |
Yi |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Burmic |
People's Republic of China |
4.2 million (2006) |
7.8 million ethnic Yi (2000 census) |
79 |
Tshiluba |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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. |
80 |
Ilokano |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
Philippines. Significant communities in United States (Hawaii). |
8 million (2006) |
7.7 million native (2000 census), ~2.3 second language = 10 million total |
81 |
Uyghur |
Altaic, Turkic, Southeastern, Eastern |
Official in People's Republic of China (Xinjiang). Significant communities in Kazakhstan |
7.6 million (2006) |
7.6 million |
82 |
Neapolitan |
Indo-European, Romance |
Native to Italy |
-- |
7.5 million native |
83 |
Bulgarian |
Indo-European, Slavic, South |
Official in Bulgaria. Significant communities in Moldova. |
9 million (2006) |
6.6 million in Bulgaria (2005) and ~1 million abroad = 7.5 million native |
84 |
Kinyarwanda |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in Rwanda. Significant communities in Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda |
|
7.3 million (1998) |
85 |
Xhosa |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho |
6.9 million (2006) |
7.2 million (1996 census) |
86 |
Balochi |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian |
Native to Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan. Significant communities in Oman, United Arab Emirates |
7 million (2006) |
7.0 million (1998) |
87 |
Hebrew |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, North Central |
Official in Israel. Significant communities in USA (New York, California) and Gibraltar. |
5.2 million (2006) |
~7 million native (2004? needs verification), 5.1 million (1998) (10 million literate) |
88 |
Hiligaynon |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
Philippines |
7 million (2006) |
6.9 million (2000 census), est. 4.1 million second language = ~11 million total |
89 |
Tigrinya |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South |
Official in Eritrea, Ethiopia |
5.1 million (2006) |
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 |
90 |
Catalan |
Indo-European, Romance |
Official and Native to Andorra, Spain (Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Valencia),Aragon (La Franja), France (Pyrénées-Orientales), Italy (Alghero). |
6.6 million (2006) |
6.7 million native, ~5 million second language, = ~12 million total (1996) (includes Valencian) |
91 |
Armenian |
Indo-European, isolate |
Official in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh (de jure part of Azerbaijan). Significant communities in Georgia, Lebanon, Syria, France. |
6 million (2006) |
6.7 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk, etc.) |
92 |
Minangkabau |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic |
Indonesia (Sumatra) |
6.5 million (2006) |
6.5 million (1981 Moussay) (dated data) |
93 |
Turkmen |
Altaic, Turkic, Southwestern, Eastern |
Official in Turkmenistan. Significant communities in Afghanistan, Iran. |
6.4 million (2006) |
6.4 million (1995) |
94 |
Makhuwa |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Major language of Mozambique. Significant communities in Tanzania |
2.5 million (2006) |
6.4 million, all varieties, including Lomwe |
95 |
Santali |
Austro-Asiatic, Munda |
Official in India |
6.2 million (2006) |
6.2 million (1997) |
96 |
Batak |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Northern Sumatra |
Indonesia |
2 million (2006) |
~6.2 million, all varieties (c. 1991 UBS) (dated data). Includes Toba, Dairi, Simalungun, etc. |
97 |
Afrikaans |
Indo-European, Germanic, West Germanic |
Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Namibia,Botswana, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and United Kingdom. |
6.4 million (2006) |
6.0 million native, 10.3 million second language, = 16 million total (1996 census) |
98 |
Mongolian |
Altaic, Mongolian |
Official in People's Republic of China (Inner Mongolia), Mongolia |
5.7 million (2006) |
5.7 million |
99 |
Bhili |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
India |
1.3 million (2006) |
5.6 million, all varieties (1994) (dated data). Includes 1.6 million Wagdi, etc. |
100 |
Danish |
Indo-European, Germanic, North |
Official in Denmark, Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark). Significant communities in Germany (Southern Schleswig) |
5.3 million (2006) |
5.6 million (2006?) |
101 |
Finnish |
Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Finnic |
Official in Finland. Significant communities in Sweden and Estonia. |
6.1 million (2006) |
5.4 million (1993) (dated data) |
102 |
Gikuyu |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Major language of Kenya |
5.4 million (2006) |
5.3 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) |
103 |
Slovak |
Indo-European, Slavic, West |
Official in Slovakia. |
5.6 million (2006) |
5.0 million (1990 WA) |
104 |
More |
Niger-Congo, Gur |
National language of Burkina Faso |
5.1 million (2006) |
~5 million (1991) |
105 |
Swahili |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Tanzania. Significant communities in Comoros, Mayotte, Oman, Réunion. |
5 million (2006) |
~5 million native, ~40 million second language [data need verification; only 700 thousand native in Tanzania] |
106 |
Southern Quechua |
Quechuan |
Official in Perú, Bolivia |
~5,000,000 |
Guarani |
Tupi |
Official in Paraguay. Significant communities in Argentina. |
5.1 million (2006) |
4.9 million (1995) |
107 |
Kirundi |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in Burundi. |
|
4.9 million (1986) (dated data) |
108 |
Sesotho (southern) |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in Lesotho, South Africa. |
|
4.9 million (1996 census) |
109 |
Romani |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Significant communities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey |
3.1 million (2006) |
4.8 million, all varieties, including Domari (data for Vlax 2002–2004; for Domari 2000 WCD). |
110 |
Norwegian |
Indo-European, Germanic, North |
Official in Norway. |
5 million (2006) |
4.7 million (2006, Statistics Norway) |
111 |
Tibetan |
Sino-Tibetan,Tibeto-Burman, Bodic |
Official in People's Republic of China (Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Sichuan, Gansu) |
1.3 million (2006) |
4.6 million, all varieties |
112 |
Tswana |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in Botswana, South Africa. National language of Namibia |
4 million (2006) |
4.4 million native, 0.2 million second language, = 4.6 million total (1993 Johnstone) (dated data) |
113 |
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) |
114 |
Kashmiri |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir), Native to Pakistan. |
4.5 million (2006) |
4.6 million (1997) |
115 |
Bikol |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
Philippines |
3.3 million (2006) |
4.5 native, all varieties (2000 census), unknown number second language |
116 |
Georgian |
Kartvelian |
Official in Georgia. Significant communities in Israel. |
4.1 million (2006) |
4.2 million (1993 UBS) |
117 |
Qusqu-Qullaw |
Quechuan |
Official in Perú (Cusco and Puno departments) Also spoken in Bolivia, Argentina |
4 million |
Umbundu |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
National language of Angola |
|
~4 million native, unknown number second language (1995 WA) |
118 |
Konkani |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in India (Goa).Significant communities in Uttara Kannada,Dakshina Kannada. |
6 million (2006) |
~4 million (1999 WA) |
119 |
Balinese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Bali-Sasak |
Indonesia (Bali, Lombok) |
3.8 million (2006) |
3.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
120 |
Northern Sotho (sePedi) |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Botswana |
|
3.7 million (1996 census) |
121 |
Luyia |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Kenya |
3.6 million (2006) |
3.6 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
122 |
Wolof |
Niger-Congo, Atlantic |
National language in Mauritania, Senegal. Significant communities in The Gambia. |
3.4 million (2006) |
3.6 million native (2002), unknown number second language |
123 |
Bemba |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
National language of Zambia |
2.2 million (2006) |
3.6 million native, unknown number second language (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
124 |
Buginese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, South Sulawesi |
Indonesia |
|
3.5 million native, 0.5 million second language, = ~4 million total (1991 SIL) |
125 |
Luo (Dholuo) |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic |
Kenya |
3.4 million (2006) |
3.5 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
126 |
Maninka |
Niger-Congo, Mande |
National language of Guinea, Mali. Significant numbers in Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone. |
2.5 million (2006) |
3.3 million, all varieties |
127 |
Mazanderani |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western |
Iran |
3.3 million (2006) |
3.3 million (1993) (dated data) (numbers may be confused with or include Gilaki) |
128 |
Gilaki |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western |
Iran |
3.3 million (2006) |
3.3 million (1993) (dated data) (numbers may be confused with or include Mazanderani) |
129 |
Shan |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai |
Myanmar |
3million (2006) |
3.3 million |
130 |
Tsonga |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Mozambique, Swaziland. |
3.2 million (2006) |
3.3 million (1989, 1996) (dated data) |
131 |
Galician |
Indo-European, Romance. |
Official in Spain. |
4 million (2006) |
3.2 million (1986) (data dated) |
132 |
Sukuma |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Tanzania |
5 million (2006) |
3.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
133 |
Yiddish |
Indo-European, Germanic, West |
official in Russia (Jewish Autonomous Oblast) Significant communities in Belarus, Israel, Latvia, Ukraine. |
3 million (2006) |
3.2 million |
134 |
Jamaican Creole |
Indo-European, Germanic, West, Creole |
Jamaica. Significant communities in Panama, Costa Rica |
2.8 million (2006) |
3.2 million (2001) |
135 |
Kyrgyz |
Altaic, Turkic, Northwestern, Southern |
Official in Kyrgyzstan. Native to Tajikistan |
3.1 million (2006) |
3.1 million (1993 UBS) (dated data) |
136 |
Waray-Waray |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
Philippines |
2.4 million |
3.1 native (2000 census), unknown number second language |
137 |
Ewe |
Niger-Congo, Kwa |
Official in Togo. National language of Ghana. |
2.5 million (2006) |
3.1 million native, 0.5 million second language, = 3.6 million total (2003) |
138 |
South Bolivian Quechua |
Quechuan |
Official in Bolivia, also spoken in Argentina |
3,637,500 (ethnologue)sout |
Lithuanian |
Indo-European, Baltic |
Official in Lithuania. Significant communities in Latvia. |
4 million (2006) |
3.1 million (1998) |
139 |
Luganda |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Major language of Uganda |
|
3.0 million native (1991 census), ~1 million second language (1999 WA), = ~ 4 million total |
140 |
Lusoga |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Major language of Uganda, official status unclear/pending |
|
+/- 3 million native speakers (2002 census), +/- 100 000 second language speakers (dated data) |
141 |
Acehnese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic |
Indonesia |
3 million (2006) |
~3 million (1999 WA) |
142 |
Kimbundu |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
National language of Angola |
|
~3 million (1999 WA) |
143 |
Hindko |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Pakistan |
2.5 million (2006) |
~3 million (1993) (dated data) |
144 |
Ibibio-Efik |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Cross River |
Efik official in Nigeria |
1.5 million (2006) |
~3 million, including Anaang (1990; 1998 B. Connell) (dated data) |
145 |
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, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
India |
3.0 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Garhwali |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
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, Sunda-Sulawesi, Creole |
Indonesia |
2.7 million (1993 Johnstone) (dated data) |
Karen |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karenic |
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) |
Latvian |
Indo-European, Baltic |
Official in Latvia. Significant communities in Australia, USA, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil. |
2.5 million |
Kalenjin |
Nilo-Saharan, East Sudanic, Nilotic |
Kenya |
2.5 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
Kumauni |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
India |
2.4 million in India (1998) |
Kamba |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Kenya |
2.4 million native, 0.6 million second language, = 3.0 million total (1989 census) (dated data) |
Luri |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western |
Iran |
2.4 million (1999, 2001) |
K'iche' |
Mayan |
Guatemala |
2.3 million (2000 SIL) |
Kapampangan |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
Philippines |
2.3 million (2000 census) |
Central Aymara |
Aymaran |
Official in Bolivia, Peru. Significant numbers in Argentina. |
2.2 million Central Aymara (1987) |
Tiv |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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) |
Baoulé |
Niger-Congo, Kwa |
Côte d'Ivoire |
2.1 million (1993 SIL) (dated data) |
Dogri |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir) |
2.1 million (1997) |
Lingala |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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, Sunda-Sulawesi |
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, East Sudanic, Nilotic |
Southern Sudan |
2+ million |
Slovenian |
Indo-European, Slavic, South Slavic |
Official in Austria, Italy, Slovenia. |
2.0 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Buyei |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai |
China |
~2 million (1990 census) (dated data) |
Beti-Pahuin |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Major language of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea. Significant communities in Cameroon, São Tomé and Príncipe. |
~2 million. Includes Fang, Ewondo, etc. |
Zazaki |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western |
Turkey |
1.5–2.5 million (all dialects) (1998 Paul) |
Tulu |
Dravidian |
India |
1.9 million (1997) |
Ligurian |
Indo-European, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italic |
Italy, France, Monaco | 1,920,848 |
Sidamo |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East |
Ethiopia |
1.9 million, 0.1 million second language, = 2.0 million total (1998 census) |
Bashkir |
Altaic, Turkic, Northwestern, Northern |
Official in Russia (Bashkortostan) |
1.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Yao |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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 |
Swati |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa, Swaziland. Significant communities in Lesotho |
1.7 million (1996 census, 1993 Johnstone) |
Irish |
Indo-European, Celtic, Goidelic |
Official in the Republic of Ireland; Northern Ireland, Small communities in USA and Australia |
1,656,790 (2006 Irish Census) [1] |
Nyankore |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Uganda |
1.6 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Tatar |
Altaic, Turkic, Northwestern, Northern |
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, Sunda-Sulawesi |
Indonesia |
1.6 million native, 0.4 million second language, = 2 million total (1989) (dated data) |
Macedonian language |
Indo-European, Slavic, South |
Official in Republic Of Macedonia |
1.6 million (1986) (dated data) |
Gusii |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Kenya |
1.6 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
Khandesi |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
India |
1.6 million (1997) |
Ndebele |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa. National language of Zimbabwe. |
1.6 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Chin |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman |
Myanmar, India |
1.6 million (1990 BAP, 1996 UBS) (dated data). All varieties, but not including Mizo etc. |
Vlax Romani |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Romania, Albania, Colombia, Hungary |
1.5 million |
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, Borneo-Philippines |
Philippines |
1.5 million (2000 census) |
Tonga |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Zambia, Zimbabwe |
1.5 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Lampung |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi |
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 |
Scotland, Significant communities in Northern Ireland |
~1.5 million native (General Register Office for Scotland, 1996) |
Dong |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Kam-Sui |
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, Kam-Tai, Tai |
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, East |
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, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
India, Pakistan |
1.4 million, all varieties (some data dated) |
Chiga |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Uganda |
1.4 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Tumbuka |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Kenya |
1.3 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
Gogo |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Tanzania |
~1.3 million (1992 UBS) (dated data) |
Teso |
Nilo-Saharan, East Sudanic, Nilotic |
Uganda. Significant communities in Kenya |
1.3 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
Meithei |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman |
Official in India (Manipur) |
1.3 million (1997) |
Tamang |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman |
Nepal |
1.3 million |
Makonde |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Tanzania, Mozambique |
1.3 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Bai |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-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, Benue-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, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Tanzania |
1.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Abron |
Niger-Congo, Kwa |
Ghana |
1.2 million (2003) |
Alur |
Nilo-Saharan, East Sudanic, Nilotic |
Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda |
1.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Sena |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
India |
1.1 million (1997) |
Kinaray-a |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines |
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, Finno-Ugric, Finnic |
Official in Estonia |
1.08 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
Nyakyusa |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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) |
Basque |
Language isolate, Euskadi and Navarre (Spain) and Iparralde (France) |
Basque Country |
1.03 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk, 1983 SIL) (dated data) |
Naga |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-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, Borneo-Philippine |
Philippines Significant communities in Indonesia (Kalimantan), Malaysia (Sabah) |
1.02 million native (2000 census) |
Chokwe |
Niger-Congo, Benue-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, Borneo-Philippine |
Philippines |
1.0 million native (2000 census), unknown number second language |
Maranao |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippine |
Philippines |
1.0 million native (2000 census) |
Ancash Quechua |
Waywash |
Official in Perú |
1.0 million speakers |
Songe |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Congo-Kinshasa |
~1 million (1991 WA) (dated data) |
Rejang |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi |
Indonesia |
~1 million (1981 Wurm and Hattori) (dated data) |
Bini |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Edoid |
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, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Afghanistan, India, Pakistan |
0.99 million (2000 WCD) |
Tharu |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
Nepal |
0.99 million, all varieties |
Chechen |
Caucasic, Nakh |
Official in Russia (Chechnya). |
0.96 million (1989 census) (dated data!) |
Venda |
Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu |
Official in South Africa |
0.96 million (1996 census) |
Arakanese |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman |
Myanmar, Bangladesh |
0.95 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Language |
Family |
Official status and where spoken natively by more than 1% of the population |
Number of speakers |
Yucatán Maya |
Mayan, Yucatecan, Yucatec-Laca |
México, Belize |
705,000 |
Welsh |
Indo-European, Celtic, Brythonic |
Official in Wales. |
700,000 |
Ossetic |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Northeastern |
Spoken in Russia Official in North Ossetia, South Ossetia), Georgia, Turkey |
~700,000 |
Mari |
Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Finno-Permic, Finno-Volgaic |
Russia (Official in Mari El) |
600,569 |
Frisian |
Indo-European, Germanic, West Germanic |
Official in Netherlands (Friesland). |
600,000 fluent speakers in 2004. |
Avar |
North Caucasian (disputed), Northeast Caucasian, Avar-Andic |
Official in Russia's Republic of Dagestan Also spoken in the rest of Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey |
~600,000 |
Friulian |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian |
Italy |
~600,000 |
Udmurt |
Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Finno-Permic, Permic |
Russia (Official in Udmurtia), Kazakhstan |
550,000 |
Kalmyk |
Altaic (controversial), Mongolic, Kalmyk-Oirat |
Spoken in Russia (Kalmykia), China, Mongolia |
518,500 |
Breton |
Indo-European, Celtic, Brythonic |
No official status |
≤ 500,000 |
Erzya |
Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Finno-permic, Finno-Volgaic, Mordvinic |
Spoken in Russia |
~500,000 |
Moksha |
Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Finno-permic, Finno-Volgaic, Mordvinic |
Russia (Mordovia) |
~500,000 |
Zaptotec |
Oto-Manguean, Zapotecan |
Mexico (Oaxaca, Puebla Guerrero) Also spoken in USA |
~500,000 |
Lezgi |
Northeast Caucasian, Lezgian |
Spoken in Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan |
450,000 |
Mapudungun |
language isolate |
Significant communities in Chile, Argentina |
440,000 (ethnologue) |
Dargin |
Caucasian (geographical convention), North (disputed), Northeast |
Spoken in Dagestan, Russia |
439,000 |
Ingush |
Caucasian (disputed), North (disputed), Northeast, Nakh, Veinakh (Chechen-Ingush) |
Spoken in Russia (Ingushetia, Chechnya) |
415,000 |
Eastern Huasteca Nahuatl |
Uto-Aztecan, Aztecan, General Aztec, Huasteca |
México |
410,000 |
Limousin |
Occitan |
France |
401,000 |
Karachay-Balkar |
Altaic, Turkic, Kypchak, Kypchak-Cuman |
Official languages of Russian areas of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia |
400,000 |
Buryat |
Altaic, Mongolic, Northern |
Mongolia, China, Russia |
400,000 |
Provençal |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance |
France, Spain, Italy, Monaco |
400,000 |
Western Huasteca Nahuatl |
Uto-Aztecan, Aztecan, General Aztec, Huasteca |
México |
400,000 |
Corsican |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian |
Official in Corsica. |
100,000-402,000 |
Maltese |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South Central |
Official in Malta, European Union. Significant communities in Australia, United Kingdom and Gibraltar |
371,900 (ethnologue 2006) |
Samoan |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian (MP), Nuclear MP |
Official in Samoa and American Samoa (United States) |
370,337 |
Sakha |
Altaic, Turkic, Northern Turkic |
Russia |
363,000 |
Komi |
Uralic, Permic |
Spoken in Russia (Komi Republic, Perm Krai |
350,000 |
Mazahua |
Oto-Manguean, Otopamean, Otomian |
México |
350,000 |
Papiamento |
Portuguese Creole |
Official in Netherlands Antilles and Aruba |
329,000 |
Wayuu |
Arawakan, Maipuran, Northern Maipuran, Caribbean |
Significant communities in Colombia, Venezuela |
305,000 (ethnologue) |
Aromanian |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern Romance |
Greece, Albania, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia |
300,000-700,000 |
Adyghe |
Caucasian (disputed), North Caucasian (disputed), Northwest Caucasian, Circassian |
Official in Russia's Republic of Adygea, Significant communities in the rest of Russia, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Republic of Macedonia, Iraq |
300,000 |
Icelandic |
Indo-European, Germanic, North |
Official in Iceland. Small community in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. |
300,000 |
Wanka Quechua |
Quechuan |
Official in Peru |
300,000 |
Kumyk |
Altaic, Turkic, Kypchak, Kypchak-Cuman |
Russia Dagestan |
282,000 |
Gascon |
Occitan |
official in the Val d'Aran, Catalonia, Spain; in the Gascogne in southern France |
253,814 |
Nàmá |
Khoisan, Khoe, Khoekhoe, North Khoekhoe |
Official in Namibia. |
250,000 |
Central Huasteca Nahuatl |
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Aztecan, General Aztec, Aztec |
México |
200,000 |
Tuvan |
Altaic, Turkic, Northeastern |
Mongolia, Russia, China |
200,000 |
Miskito |
Misumalpan |
Nicaragua, Honduras |
183,400 |
Navajo |
Na-Dené, Athabaskan, Southern Athabaskan |
Spoken in the USA (Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico) |
178,000 |
Maori |
Austronesian, Oceanic, Tahitic Languages |
Official language of New Zealand/Aotearoa |
165,000 fluent speakers (New Zealand Census, 2006. Statistics New Zealand). |
Ngäbere |
Chibchan, Guaymi |
Spoken in Panamá |
133,092 (1990 Panama Census) |
Highland Puebla Nahuatl |
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Aztecan, General Aztec, Aztec |
México |
125,000 |
Highland Totonac |
Totonacan, Totonac |
México |
120,000 |
Lak |
North Caucasian, Northeast Caucasian |
Russia (Southern Dagestan) |
120,000 |
Orizaba Nahuatl |
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Aztecan, General Aztec, Aztec |
México |
120,000 |
P'urhépecha |
Language isolate |
México Michoacán |
~120,000 |
Tahitian |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian (MP), Central-Eastern MP, Eastern MP, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear Polynesian, Eastern Polynesian, Central E. Polynesian, Tahitic |
France (French Polynesia) |
120,000 |
Karelian |
Uralic |
Russia |
118,000 |
Komi-Permyak |
Uralic |
Russia |
116,000 |
Arpitan (Franco-Provençal) |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian (SIL), Oïl (SIL), Southeastern (SIL) |
Italy, Switzerland, France |
~113,000 |
Tongan |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central Eastern Malayo-Polynesian... |
Official in Tonga |
105,319 |
Bachajón Tzeltal |
Mayan, Cholan-Tzeltalan, Tzeltalan |
México |
100,000 |
Ladino |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Spanish |
Israel, Turkey |
109,000 |
Gilbertese |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central Eastern, Eastern... |
Official in Kiribati |
102,000 |
Mezquital Otomi |
Oto-Manguean, Otopamean, Otomian |
México, USA |
100,000 |
Tabasaran |
Northeast Caucasian, Lezgian |
Russia (Southern Dagestan) |
95,905 |
Language |
Family |
Official status and where spoken natively by more than 1% of the population |
Number of speakers |
Altay |
Altaic, Turkic |
Russia, Mongolia, China |
71,600 |
Nogai |
Altaic, Turkic |
Russia |
67,800 |
Faroese |
Indo-European, Germanic, North |
Official in Faroe Islands. |
60,000 - 80,000 |
Santiago del Estero Quichua |
Quechuan |
Spoken in Argentina |
66,000 (ethnologue) |
Chamorro |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian (MP), Nuclear MP, Sunda-Sulawesi |
USA (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands) |
60,000+ |
Khakas |
Altaic |
Russia |
~60,000 |
Scottish Gaelic |
Indo-European, Celtic, Goidelic |
Official in Scotland. |
58,652 |
Ojibwe |
Algonquian |
Canada and northern United States |
55,000 |
Kalaallisut |
Eskimo-Aleut, Inuit |
Official in Denmark (Greenland) |
54,000 |
Kashubian |
Indo-European, Slavic, West, Pomeranian |
Poland |
53,000 |
Sanskrit |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan |
chiefly India, but also Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal; Used in religious practices in Hinduism. |
49,736 fluent speakers (1991 Indian census) |
Western Argentine Guaraní |
Guaranean |
Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay |
48,974 (ethnologue) |
Eastern Bolivian Guaraní |
Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Subgroup I |
Official in Bolivia, Also spoken in Argentina |
48,974 (ethnologue) |
Cook Islands Maori |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian(MP), Central-Eastern MP, Eastern MP, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear Polynesian, Eastern Polynesian, Central E. Polynesian, Tahitic |
New Zealand (Cook Islands) |
42,669 |
Ticuna |
Language isolate |
Perú, Brazil, Colombia |
40,000 |
Aguaruna |
Jivaroan |
Official in Perú |
38,290 (2000 WCD) |
Romansh |
Indo-European, Romance |
Official in Switzerland. |
35,000 native |
Rutul |
Northeast Caucasian |
Russia, Azerbaijan |
+30,000 |
Ladin |
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Rhaetian |
Italy |
30,000 |
Inuktitut |
Eskimo-Aleut, Inuit |
Official in Canada |
~30,000 |
Llanito |
Indo-European, Romance, Germanic, West |
Dialect in Gibraltar. Although also widely understood in the surrounding Campo De Gibraltar area, in Spain. |
30,000 (Ethnologue 2006) |
Evenki |
Altaic, Tungusic |
Russia, China, Mongolia |
29,000 |
Nenets |
Uralic |
Russia |
27,273 |
Mbyá Guaraní |
Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guaraní (I) |
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay |
27,000 |
Sioux |
Siouan-Catawban, Siouan, Mississippi Valley, Dakotan |
USA, Canada |
26,300 |
Wichí Lhamtés Vejoz |
Mataco-Guaicuru |
Argentina |
25,000 (ethnologue) |
Asháninka |
Arawakan, Maipuran, Southern Maipuran, Pre-Andine |
Official language of Perú |
23,750 - 28,500 (2000 SIL) |
Nivaclé |
Mataco-Guaicuru |
Paraguay |
18,200 (ethnologue) |
Agul |
Northeast Caucasian, Lezgian |
Russia, Azerbaijan |
17,373 (1989 Census) |
Kaiwá |
|
Brazil |
15,512 (Ethnologue) |
Cherokee |
Iroquoian, Southern Iroquoian |
USA (Oklahoma) |
15,000-22,000 |
Mahl |
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Insular Indo-Aryan |
India |
15,000-20,000 |
Tsez |
North Caucasian |
Russia |
15,000 |
Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay |
Mataco-Guaicuru |
Argentina |
15,000 (ethnologue) |
Tuamotuan |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian... |
France (French Polynesia) |
14,400 |
South Ucayali Ashéninka] |
Arawakan, Maipuran, Southern Maipuran, Pre-Andine |
Official in Perú |
13,000 |
Pajonal Ashéninka |
Arawakan, Maipuran, Southern Maipuran, Pre-Andine |
Official in Perú |
12,000 |
Pichis Ashéninka |
Arawakan, Maipuran, Southern Maipuran, Pre-Andine |
Official in Perú |
12,000 |
Khanty |
Uralic |
Russia |
12,000 |
Chiripá |
Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Subgroup I |
Brazil, Paraguay |
11,500 (ethnologue) |
Chayahuita |
Cahuapanan |
Official in Perú |
11,384 (2000, WCD) |
Tuvaluan |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic, Ellicean |
Tuvalu, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand |
10,670 |
Aragonese |
Indo-European, Romance |
Huesca province (Spain). No official status. |
10,000 native, 30,000-50,000 with some knowledge (Dated data) |
Central Alaskan Yup'ik |
Eskimo-Aleut |
United States (Alaska) |
~10,000 |
Shor |
Altaic |
Russia |
9,800 |