Democratic Republic of the Congo

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Constitution, Article 1).

Koongo

[kng] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Bas-Congo, Bandundu regions (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 3,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1982 UBS). Total population does not include upwards of 5,000,000 additional L2 speakers. Population total all countries: 5,016,500.

Lingala

[lin] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in northwestern regions (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 2,040,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Population total all countries: 2,141,300.

Luba-Kasai

[lua] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Kasai Region (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 6,300,000 (1991 UBS).

Swahili, Congo

[swc] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in eastern regions (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 1,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

3 (Wider communication)

Bangala

[bxg] 3 (Wider communication). Few L1 speakers.

Sango

[sag] 3 (Wider communication). Few in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

4 (Educational)

Ngbaka

[nga] 4 (Educational). 1,010,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). 600,000 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 1,016,650.

5 (Dispersed)

Rwanda

[kin] 5 (Dispersed). 250,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

5 (Developing)

Alur

[alz] 5 (Developing). 750,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 1,367,000.

Aushi

[auh] 5 (Developing).

Bemba

[bem] 5 (Developing). 300,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000).

Bembe

[bmb] 5 (Developing). 252,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1991 UBS).

Budu

[buu] 5 (Developing). 180,000 (1991 SIL).

Chokwe

[cjk] 5 (Developing). 504,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1990 UBS).

Fuliiru

[flr] 5 (Developing). 400,000 (2012 SIL).

Kanyok

[kny] 5 (Developing). 200,000 (1991 UBS).

Kaonde

[kqn] 5 (Developing). 36,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1995).

Kele

[khy] 5 (Developing). 160,000 (1980 UBS). 7,000 Yalikoka (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Kituba

[ktu] 5 (Developing). 4,200,000 (1990 UBS).

Lala-Bisa

[leb] 5 (Developing).

Lega-Shabunda

[lea] 5 (Developing). 400,000 (1982 UBS).

Lendu

[led] 5 (Developing). 750,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1996 SIL). Population total all countries: 761,100.

Lika

[lik] 5 (Developing). 60,000 (1989 SIL). 57,000 in Wamba Territory, 3,000 in Rungu Territory.

Logo

[log] 5 (Developing). 210,000 (1989 SIL). 100,000 Ogambi.

Luba-Katanga

[lub] 5 (Developing). 1,510,000 (1991 UBS).

Lunda

[lun] 5 (Developing).

Mangbetu

[mdj] 5 (Developing). 620,000.

Mayogo

[mdm] 5 (Developing). 100,000 (1991 SIL).

Mbandja

[zmz] 5 (Developing). 352,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Population total all countries: 362,460.

Mongo-Nkundu

[lol] 5 (Developing). 400,000 (1995).

Nande

[nnb] 5 (Developing). 903,000 (1991 UBS).

Ngbandi, Northern

[ngb] 5 (Developing). 250,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000 SIL). 75,000 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 250,290.

Ngiti

[niy] 5 (Developing). 100,000 (1991).

Ruund

[rnd] 5 (Developing). 153,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Population total all countries: 251,500.

Sanga

[sng] 5 (Developing). 431,000 (1991 UBS).

Shi

[shr] 5 (Developing). 654,000 (1991 UBS).

Taabwa

[tap] 5 (Developing). 250,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Barrett 1982). Population total all countries: 382,000.

Tembo

[tbt] 5 (Developing). 150,000 (1994 SIL).

Yombe

[yom] 5 (Developing). 669,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2002). Population total all countries: 1,056,400.

Zande

[zne] 5 (Developing). 730,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Population total all countries: 1,142,000.

6a (Vigorous)

Asoa

[asv] 6a (Vigorous). 25,500 (2000).

Avokaya

[avu] 6a (Vigorous). 25,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1989 SIL). 2,000 Ojila, 10,000 Northern Ogambi.

Babango

[bbm] 6a (Vigorous). 2,550 (2000).

Baka

[bdh] 6a (Vigorous). 1,300 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1993 UBS).

Bali

[bcp] 6a (Vigorous). 42,000 (1987 UBS). 5%–10% monolingual.

Baloi

[biz] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 (2002).

Bamwe

[bmg] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 (1983 census).

Banda, Mid-Southern

[bjo] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1986 SIL).

Banda, South Central

[lnl] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Banda, Togbo-Vara

[tor] 6a (Vigorous). 12,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1984 census). Population total all countries: 24,000.

Bangba

[bbe] 6a (Vigorous). 11,000 (1993 SIL).

Bangi

[bni] 6a (Vigorous). 50,900 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Population total all countries: 118,740.

Bangubangu

[bnx] 6a (Vigorous). 171,000 (1995 SIL). 85,000 Bangubangu, 30,000 Mikebwe, 20,000 Kasenga, 32,000 Nonda, 4,000 Hombo.

Barambu

[brm] 6a (Vigorous). 25,600 (1990 census). A few hundred living among the Bangba (1996).

Bendi

[bct] 6a (Vigorous). 32,000 (1991 SIL).

Bila

[bip] 6a (Vigorous). 40,000 (1993 SIL).

Binji

[bpj] 6a (Vigorous). 165,000 (2000).

Boko

[bkp] 6a (Vigorous). 21,000.

Bolia

[bli] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 (2000).

Bolondo

[bzm] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (1983 census).

Boma

[boh] 6a (Vigorous). 20,500 (2000).

Bomboli

[bml] 6a (Vigorous). 2,500 (1986 SIL).

Bomboma

[bws] 6a (Vigorous). 23,000 (1983 census). 1,280 in Lingonda.

Bozaba

[bzo] 6a (Vigorous). 5,500 (1983 census).

Budza

[bja] 6a (Vigorous). 226,000 (1985 census).

Buraka

[bkg] 6a (Vigorous). 1,300 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bushoong

[buf] 6a (Vigorous). 155,000 (2000).

Buya

[byy] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 (2002).

Buyu

[byi] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 (2002).

Bwa

[bww] 6a (Vigorous). 200,000 (1994 SIL).

Bwela

[bwl] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Bwile

[bwc] 6a (Vigorous). 12,400 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2002).

Dengese

[dez] 6a (Vigorous). 8,600 (2000).

Ding

[diz] 6a (Vigorous). 155,000 (2002).

Dongo

[doo] 6a (Vigorous). 12,900 (2000).

Dzando

[dzn] 6a (Vigorous). 6,000 (1983 census).

Efe

[efe] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 (1991 SIL).

Enya

[gey] 6a (Vigorous). 15,000 (2000).

Foma

[fom] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 (2002).

Furu

[fuu] 6a (Vigorous). 12,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1984 census). Population total all countries: 16,000.

Gbanziri

[gbg] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1986 SIL).

Gilima

[gix] 6a (Vigorous). 12,000 (1984 census).

Gobu

[gox] 6a (Vigorous). 12,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1984 census).

Hamba

[hba] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 (2002).

Havu

[hav] 6a (Vigorous). 506,000 (2002).

Hema

[nix] 6a (Vigorous). 125,000 (2000).

Hemba

[hem] 6a (Vigorous). 181,000 (2000).

Holoholo

[hoo] 6a (Vigorous). 15,500 (2002).

Hunde

[hke] 6a (Vigorous). 200,000 (1980 UBS).

Joba

[job] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 (1989 SIL).

Kabwari

[kcw] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Kaiku

[kkq] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 (2002).

Kakwa

[keo] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Kaliko

[kbo] 6a (Vigorous). 7,500 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1989 SIL).

Kango

[kty] 6a (Vigorous). 5,900 (2002).

Kango

[kzy] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (1998 T. Harvey).

Kanu

[khx] 6a (Vigorous). 3,500 (Welmers 1971).

Kela

[kel] 6a (Vigorous). 180,000 (1972 D. Barrett et al.).

Kete

[kcv] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Komo

[kmw] 6a (Vigorous). 400,000 (1998 SIL).

Kongo, San Salvador

[kwy] 6a (Vigorous). 537,000 (2000).

Konzo

[koo] 6a (Vigorous).

Kpala

[kpl] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (1986 SIL).

Kusu

[ksv] 6a (Vigorous). 26,000 (Welmers 1971).

Kwami

[ktf] 6a (Vigorous). 400.

Kwese

[kws] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000.

Lalia

[lal] 6a (Vigorous). 55,000 (1993).

Lamba

[lam] 6a (Vigorous).

Langbashe

[lna] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1984 census).

Lega-Mwenga

[lgm] 6a (Vigorous). 44,900 (2000).

Lele

[lel] 6a (Vigorous). 26,000 (Welmers 1971).

Lengola

[lej] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 (1998).

Lese

[les] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000 (1991 SIL).

Libinza

[liz] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 (1986 SIL).

Ligenza

[lgz] 6a (Vigorous). 43,000 (1986 SIL).

Likila

[lie] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Lobala

[loq] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000 (2000 D. Morgan). Very few monolinguals.

Lombi

[lmi] 6a (Vigorous). 12,000 (1993 SIL).

Lombo

[loo] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 (Welmers 1971).

Lonzo

[lnz] 6a (Vigorous). 300.

Lugbara

[lgg] 6a (Vigorous). 840,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Luna

[luj] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000.

Lusengo

[lse] 6a (Vigorous). 42,000 (2002).

Lwalu

[lwa] 6a (Vigorous). 21,000 (Welmers 1971).

[msj] 6a (Vigorous). 4,700 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Mabaale

[mmz] 6a (Vigorous). 42,000 (2002).

Mamvu

[mdi] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000 (1991 SIL).

Mangbutu

[mdk] 6a (Vigorous). 15,000 (1991 SIL). 1,200 Andinai.

Mba

[mfc] 6a (Vigorous). 36,100 (2000).

Mbala

[mdp] 6a (Vigorous). 200,000 (Nida 1972).

Mbesa

[zms] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Mbo

[zmw] 6a (Vigorous). 11,000 (1994 SIL).

Mbole

[mdq] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 (Welmers 1971).

Mfinu

[zmf] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Mituku

[zmq] 6a (Vigorous). 50,900 (2000).

Moingi

[mwz] 6a (Vigorous). 4,200 (2002).

Mono

[mnh] 6a (Vigorous). 65,000 (1984 census).

Monzombo

[moj] 6a (Vigorous). 5,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1986 SIL).

Mpuono

[zmp] 6a (Vigorous). 165,000 (Nida 1972).

Mündü

[muh] 6a (Vigorous). 2,800 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ndaka

[ndk] 6a (Vigorous). 25,000 (1994 SIL).

Ndo

[ndp] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ndobo

[ndw] 6a (Vigorous). 10,200 (2000).

Ndolo

[ndl] 6a (Vigorous). 8,000 (1983 census).

Ndunga

[ndt] 6a (Vigorous). 2,500 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Ngando

[nxd] 6a (Vigorous). 220,000 (1995).

Ngbaka Ma’bo

[nbm] 6a (Vigorous). 11,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1984 census).

Ngbandi, Southern

[nbw] 6a (Vigorous). 105,000.

Ngbundu

[nuu] 6a (Vigorous). 16,000 (1984 census).

Ngelima

[agh] 6a (Vigorous). 13,600 (2000).

Ngombe

[ngc] 6a (Vigorous). 150,000 (Welmers 1971).

Ngongo

[noq] 6a (Vigorous). 4,080 (2000).

Ngul

[nlo] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Ngundu

[nue] 6a (Vigorous). 5,100 (2000).

Nkutu

[nkw] 6a (Vigorous). 40,000 (Nida 1972).

Ntomba

[nto] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 (1980 UBS).

Nyali

[nlj] 6a (Vigorous). 43,000 (1993 SIL).

Nyanga

[nyj] 6a (Vigorous). 150,000 (1994 census).

Nyindu

[nyg] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Nzakara

[nzk] 6a (Vigorous).

Ombo

[oml] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Omi

[omi] 6a (Vigorous). 91,000 (2005 SIL).

Pagibete

[pae] 6a (Vigorous). 28,000 (2000 SIL). 6,000 Momveda, 4,500 Mongbapele.

Pambia

[pmb] 6a (Vigorous). 21,000 (1982 SIL).

Pelende

[ppp] 6a (Vigorous). 8,400 (2002).

Phende

[pem] 6a (Vigorous). 420,000 (1991 UBS).

Poke

[pof] 6a (Vigorous). 46,000 (Welmers 1971).

Sakata

[skt] 6a (Vigorous). 75,000 (1982 UBS).

Salampasu

[slx] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Samba

[smx] 6a (Vigorous). 4,200 (2002).

Seba

[kdg] 6a (Vigorous). 167,000 (2002).

Sengele

[szg] 6a (Vigorous). 17,000 (2002).

[soc] 6a (Vigorous). 6,000 (Welmers 1971).

Sonde

[shc] 6a (Vigorous). 96,000 (2002).

Songe

[sop] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000,000 (Hoffman 1991). 150,000 in Western Kalebwe (1982 UBS).

Songo

[soo] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 (2002).

Songomeno

[soe] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000 (Barrett 1982).

Songoora

[sod] 6a (Vigorous). 1,300 (Welmers 1971).

Suku

[sub] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000 (1980 UBS).

Tagbu

[tbm] 6a (Vigorous). 17,000 (2002).

Talinga-Bwisi

[tlj] 6a (Vigorous). 30,900 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000).

Teke, Eboo

[ebo] 6a (Vigorous). 454,000 all Teke languages in Congo (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Teke, Ibali

[tek] 6a (Vigorous). 167,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Population total all countries: 203,200.

Tembo

[tmv] 6a (Vigorous). 5,000 (1986 SIL).

Tetela

[tll] 6a (Vigorous). 750,000 (1991 UBS).

Tiene

[tii] 6a (Vigorous). 24,500 (1977 SIL).

Vanuma

[vau] 6a (Vigorous). 6,700 (1993 SIL).

Wongo

[won] 6a (Vigorous). 12,700 (2000).

Yaka

[yaf] 6a (Vigorous). 700,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000 SIL). Population total all countries: 900,000.

Yakoma

[yky] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Yamongeri

[ymg] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 (2002).

Yango

[yng] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (1986 SIL).

Yansi

[yns] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 (1997 S. Mufwene).

Yela

[yel] 6a (Vigorous). 33,000 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Zimba

[zmb] 6a (Vigorous). 120,000 (1994 census).

6b (Threatened)

Amba

[rwm] 6b (Threatened). 4,500 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1991 SIL).

Bera

[brf] 6b (Threatened). 120,000 (1992 SIL).

Bhele

[bhy] 6b (Threatened). 15,000 (1989).

Boloki

[bkt] 6b (Threatened). 4,200.

Holu

[hol] 6b (Threatened). 5,100 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hungana

[hum] 6b (Threatened). 400.

Mvuba

[mxh] 6b (Threatened). 5,100 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Population total all countries: 5,970.

Yulu

[yul] 6b (Threatened). 3,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2011 SIL).

8a (Moribund)

Beeke

[bkf] 8a (Moribund). 1,000 (1994 SIL).

Gbati-ri

[gti] 8a (Moribund). 21,000 (2002).

Mayeka

[myc] 8a (Moribund). 21,000 (2004). Ethnic population: 25,500 (2000).

Nyanga-li

[nyc] 8a (Moribund). 48,000 (2002).

8b (Nearly extinct)

Boguru

[bqu] 8b (Nearly extinct).

Kari

[kbj] 8b (Nearly extinct). 1,000. May be nearly extinct (Dimmendaal and Voeltz 2007).

Ngbinda

[nbd] 8b (Nearly extinct). 4,200 (2002).

Sere

[swf] 8b (Nearly extinct). 2,500 in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Population total all countries: 2,528.

10 (Extinct)

Ngbee

[jgb] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Unattested

Bemba

[bmy] Unattested. 296,000 (2000).

Borna

[bxx] Unattested. No remaining speakers.

Songa

[sgo] Unattested.

Ethnologue

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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