18+ German Speaking Countries Globally: What Are They?
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Teacher Mei
German Language: A Comprehensive Guide and List of German-Speaking Countries and Areas
The German language is widely spoken in Europe and around the world, particularly in the German Sprachraum (German language area), with millions of native speakers as well as many more who learn German as a second language or foreign language.
As the most widely spoken language in Europe after Russian, the German language has an extensive reach and influence, not only in countries where it is the official language but also in regions and communities where the German diaspora and the geographical distribution of German speakers reside.
In this guide, we will explore the various countries and areas within the German language area where German is spoken, while also discovering interesting facts about the fascinating history and culture of the German language.
German Language: An Overview
With over 100 million speakers worldwide and about 97.36 million native German speakers, German, particularly Standard German, is the most common language spoken in Europe, after Russian. It is the official language of Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein and one of the official languages at the national level in Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Additionally, German is spoken by sizable communities in Italy, France, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and several other countries within the European Union, where many speakers consider it their mother tongue.
There are six countries where German is the official national language and four countries where it is a local co-official language.
List of Countries where German is spoken as an Official National Language
- Germany: As the largest country in Europe and the heart of the German-speaking world, Germany is home to over 90% (around 76 million) of native German speakers and around 78% of the native global German-speaking population. With its rich history and vibrant culture, the German language is deeply rooted in the country’s identity.
- Austria: Austria is another major German-speaking country, with over 8 million native German speakers or more than 8.2% of the global native German-speaking population. The Austrian dialect of German, known as Austrian German, is the country’s standard form of the language.
Switzerland: German is one of the four official languages in Switzerland, spoken by nearly 5.5 million people or around 5.6% of the world’s native German speakers. The Swiss form of German, Swiss German, is spoken in 17 of the country’s 26 cantons.
Liechtenstein: This small country lies between Austria and Switzerland. German is its official language and is spoken by nearly all of its population, which is around 37,000 people. This is about 0.04% of the global native German-speaking population.
Luxembourg: Although Luxembourgish and French are also official languages in Luxembourg, a 2012 survey showed that 71% of the population could speak German when combining native and second-language speakers. More recent data suggests that around 78% of the population speaks German. Interestingly, only about 2-4% (around 15,000 people) of the population in Luxembourg speak German as their native language.
Belgium: German is one of the three official languages in Belgium, spoken natively by less than 1% (about 83,000 people) of the population, mainly in the German-speaking Community of Belgium in the eastern part of the country. This makes up about 0.09% of the global native German speakers.
European Countries where German is spoken as a Local Co-Official Language
- Italy: In the autonomous province of South Tyrol in northern Italy, German is recognized as a co-official language alongside Italian and sometimes Ladino. The majority of the population in this region speaks German as their first language. In 2014, about 65.3% of those over 16 (some 275,800 individuals) spoke German as their main language. As of July 2024, Worlddata.info says there are 294,000 native German speakers in Italy. This is about 0.5% of the total population and makes up 0.3% of all native German speakers in the world.
Poland: German is recognized as a national minority language in the Opole Voivodeship and Silesian Voivodeship in Poland, with around 477,000 Native German speakers.
Slovakia: In the villages of Krahule/Blaufuss and Kunesov/Kuneschhau, German is considered a co-official language under Slovak law, alongside Slovak. However, according to Worlddata.info in July 2024, there were no native German speakers found in Slovakia.
(France: In the Alsace region of France, the Alsatian dialect, a form of Alemannic German, is spoken by around 1.2 million people. Although not officially recognized as a co-official language, it is considered a regional language and enjoys certain rights and protections. According to worlddata.info in July 2024, there were no Native German speakers recorded in France.)
European Countries with Large German-Speaking Communities
There are several European countries where a significant portion of the population speaks German, but it is not officially recognized as a national or local language. These countries include:
Russia: With around 2.2 million native German speakers, Russia is home to a sizable German-speaking community (around 2.2% of the global native German-speaking population). Many of these speakers are descendants of German immigrants who settled in Russia in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Kazakhstan: Approximately 617,000 native German speakers reside in Kazakhstan, representing a significant minority.
Hungary: According to a 2001 census, 33,792 people reported German as their mother tongue, 62,233 people reported their ethnicity as German, 88,416 people had ties to German ethnic traditions and 53,040 people used the German language with family or friends. According to worlddata.info in July 2024 there are 67,000 native German speakers residing in Hungary.
Czech Republic: With around 54,000 native German speakers, the Czech Republic also has a notable German-speaking minority.
Romania: There were about 26,000 native German speakers in Romania, mostly in the Transylvania area. A count from 2011 showed there were 36,000 Romanians of German descent. By July 2024, this number increased to 76,000 native German speakers, according to worlddata.info.
In Scandinavia, a recognized minority of German speakers live in Denmark (around 30,000 people). In Spain, 1.22% of the population speaks German, but only 0.11% are native speakers. There are several German newspapers and radio stations in Spain, which help support this community.
German-speaking countries in Africa
Namibia
Namibia, a former German colony from 1884 to 1915, is home to around 23,000 Namibian Germans. Although German is not the official language of the country, it is widely spoken and enjoys the status of a national language.
In the old colony areas of Cameroon and Kenya, many people speak German as a foreign language. Yet, there are very few native speakers of German.
German-speaking countries in America
Brazil
Brazil has the sixth largest number of native German speakers in the world with 1.1 million native German speakers. German is Brazil’s second most spoken language after Portuguese.
The United States
While German is not an official language in US states, The American Community Survey estimated about 41.1M (roughly 12.3%) of the nation’s 333.3M people in 2022 reported German ancestry and around 2 million speak German natively today, with roots tracing back to large migrations in the 18th and 19th centuries, including Pennsylvania Dutch.
According to the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, German-Americans represent the largest self-reported ancestry group. Some Amish, Mennonite, and Hutterite communities in the United States continue to speak German dialects.
Other Parts of the World where German is spoken
German-speaking communities can also be found in several other countries, such as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Venezuela. In some cases, these communities speak unique dialects of German that have evolved and are influenced by the local languages and cultures.
The Influence of the German Language
The German language, including modern German and Old High German, has had a significant impact on other Germanic languages and cultures throughout history, especially due to interactions with Germanic tribes, contributing to a large number of words within these languages.
Its rich literary tradition, including notable works of German literature, and Germany’s leading position in the global economy make German a crucial language for individuals working in various industries, such as automotive, manufacturing, and engineering. Additionally, German is considered the language of science and is the second most spoken language among scientists worldwide.
German is also one of the top three most used languages on the internet, with approximately 4.8% of all live websites in German (as of January 2024). Furthermore, it is estimated that 10% of all printed books are in German, either originally or through translation.
Learning the German Language
With its extensive reach and influence, learning German can open up numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth, especially considering its evolution since the 16th century.
As the most widely spoken language in Europe and one of the top twelve most spoken languages in the world, the German language is essential for travelers, students, and professionals alike, particularly in contexts involving international organizations such as the European Commission.
Whether you are interested in exploring the rich history and culture of German-speaking countries, pursuing academic or career opportunities, or simply communicating with German speakers around the world, learning the German language is a valuable and rewarding endeavor.
Faqs and Commonly asked questions:
What are the main German-speaking countries?
German is officially spoken in 6 countries worldwide:
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland (as one of four official languages)
- Luxembourg (as one of three official languages)
- Liechtenstein
- Belgium (as one of three official languages)
Which German-speaking country is the nicest to live in?
Austria is often considered one of the nicest German-speaking countries to live in. With its high quality of life, beautiful landscapes, and charming cities like Vienna and Salzburg, Austria offers a great balance between work and leisure for residents.
How can I learn German?
You can learn German in many ways. It can be a fun and useful experience because of its unique features and cultural value. To start, you could join language classes either online or at a local school.
There are several resources available to help you, such as textbooks, ebooks and audiobooks online courses, and language exchange programs. You can also try mobile apps like Rocket Languages and Babbel. These tools can match different ways of learning.
Immersing yourself in German culture can make learning the German language easier. You can watch movies and German learning videos, listen to music, and read books in German.
Check our list of the Best Ways To Learn German Online.
What are some Interesting Facts about the German Language?
- Capitalization rule: Unlike English, German capitalizes all nouns, not just proper nouns. This unique feature helps learners easily identify nouns in sentences.
- Three genders: German nouns have three genders – masculine, feminine, and neuter. This can be challenging for learners but adds depth to the language’s structure.
- Compound words: German is famous for its long compound words. These can be created by combining multiple nouns, resulting in words that express complex concepts concisely.
- Historical significance: The first printed book, the Gutenberg Bible, was published in German in 1455.
- Scientific importance: German is widely used in scientific literature and research, offering access to a wealth of academic resources.
- Linguistic influence: Many English words have German origins, showcasing the language’s impact on other tongues.
- Dialects: German has numerous dialects, with Hochdeutsch (High German) being the standard form taught in schools and used in official communications.
- Cultural impact: German is often referred to as the language of “poets and thinkers,” having been used by influential philosophers, scientists, and artists throughout history.
- Economic relevance: Knowledge of German can provide significant career opportunities, especially in European business and technology sectors.
- Learning the German language: 68% of all Japanese students study German. Do they know something that you donʻt? German is also the fifth most studied language in the world.
These facts highlight the richness, complexity, and importance of the German language in various aspects of global culture, science, and communication.
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