Bangladesh

Bengali

[ben] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1972, Constitution, Article 3), has been reinforced by the Bengali Language Introduction Act of 1987 to fully enact Article 3 of the Constitution, making the use of Bengali compulsory at all levels of state activities except in foreign affairs. 159,000,000 in Bangladesh, all users. L1 users: 130,000,000 in Bangladesh (2017). L2 users: 29,000,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 272,674,940 (as L1: 233,672,060; as L2: 39,002,880).

3 (Wider communication)

Chittagonian

[ctg] 3 (Wider communication). Used as an L2 in Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’ s Bazar, and Chittagong districts primarily for business and market. 13,000,000 (2006 SIL).

Marma

[rmz] 3 (Wider communication). Largest and earliest language group to settle in the area. Used in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban districts in religious ceremonies, market, stores, and churches. 150,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Total users in all countries: 186,700.

Sylheti

[syl] 3 (Wider communication). 8,020,000 in Bangladesh, all users. L1 users: 6,520,000 in Bangladesh (2017). L2 users: 1,500,000. Total users in all countries: 11,520,000 (as L1: 10,020,000; as L2: 1,500,000).

4 (Educational)

Chakma

[ccp] 4 (Educational). 150,000 in Bangladesh (2007 SIL). Total users in all countries: 378,000.

Tippera

[tpe] 4 (Educational). 85,000.

5 (Dispersed)

Bihari

[urd] 5 (Dispersed). 250,000 in Bangladesh (2009 UNHR).

English

[eng] 5* (Dispersed). 29,300,000 in Bangladesh (2020 Euromonitor International), L2 users.

Garo

[grt] 5 (Dispersed). Used as LWC among all Mandi. 120,000 in Bangladesh (2005).

Meitei

[mni] 5 (Dispersed). 15,000 in Bangladesh (2003). 300 monolinguals.

Rakhine

[rki] 5 (Dispersed). 200,000 in Bangladesh (2011 SIL).

Santhali

[sat] 5 (Dispersed). 225,000 in Bangladesh (2011).

5 (Developing)

Chin, Bawm

[bgr] 5 (Developing). 10,000 in Bangladesh (2011).

Hajong

[haj] 5 (Developing). 8,000 in Bangladesh.

Mru

[mro] 5 (Developing). 30,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Total users in all countries: 50,200.

Rangpuri

[rkt] 5 (Developing). Used in the market and for commerce, media, and travel by nearly all minority language speakers in the greater Rangpur-Dinajpur area. Rangpuri has reportedly been spoken in the area for centuries. 10,325,000 in Bangladesh, all users. L1 users: 10,000,000 in Bangladesh (2007 SIL). L2 users: 325,000 (2015 SIL). Total users in all countries: 10,801,000 (as L1: 10,476,000; as L2: 325,000).

Usoi

[usi] 5 (Developing). 22,400.

6a (Vigorous)

Bangla Sign Language

[ins] 6a* (Vigorous). 815,000 in Bangladesh (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 500,000–1,000,000, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of the total population. Another estimate: 2,600,000 (2014 Disabled Peoples’ International Pacific-Asia Region).

Bishnupuriya

[bpy] 6a (Vigorous). 40,000 in Bangladesh (2003). 400 monolinguals.

Chak

[ckh] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Bangladesh (Bradley 2007b). Total users in all countries: 4,000.

Chin, Asho

[csh] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 in Bangladesh (2011).

Chin, Khumi

[cnk] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 in Bangladesh (2018).

Koch

[kdq] 6a (Vigorous). 6,000 in Bangladesh (2006 SIL).

Koda

[cdz] 6a (Vigorous). 1,300 in Bangladesh (2005).

Kok Borok

[trp] 6a (Vigorous). 5,000 in Bangladesh.

Kol

[ekl] 6a (Vigorous). 1,660 (2012 SIL).

Mahali

[mjx] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Bangladesh (2010 SIL). Ethnic population: 3,000 (2004 SIL).

Megam

[mef] 6a (Vigorous). 6,870 (2000).

Tangchangya

[tnv] 6a (Vigorous). 21,600 (1991 census).

War-Jaintia

[aml] 6a (Vigorous). 16,000 in Bangladesh (2003 SIL). 4,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 67,600.

6b (Threatened)

Atong

[aot] 6b (Threatened). 5,400 in Bangladesh.

Khasi

[kha] 6b* (Threatened). Very few speakers.

Kurux

[kru] 6b (Threatened). 50,000 in Bangladesh (2011), decreasing. Ethnic population: 50,000 (2011).

Mizo

[lus] 6b (Threatened). 250 in Bangladesh (2007 census).

Mundari

[unr] 6b (Threatened). 2,500 in Bangladesh (2005 Caritas Bangladesh). Ethnic population: 5,000.

Pangkhua

[pkh] 6b (Threatened). 2,400 in Bangladesh (2015 Z. Akter). Ethnic population: 4,000 (2021 Joshua Project).

Pnar

[pbv] 6b* (Threatened). 4,000 in Bangladesh (2002).

Rohingya

[rhg] 6b* (Threatened). 947,000 in Bangladesh (2017 The Arakan Project).

Sadri, Oraon

[sdr] 6b (Threatened). 166,000 (2000).

7 (Shifting)

Lyngngam

[lyg] 7 (Shifting). 1,000 in Bangladesh.

Riang

[ria] 7 (Shifting). 500 in Bangladesh (2007).

Sauria Paharia

[mjt] 7 (Shifting). 7,000 in Bangladesh (2007).

Unestablished

Odia

[ory] Unestablished. 32,500 in Bangladesh (2000).

Punjabi, Eastern

[pan] Unestablished. 23,700 in Bangladesh (2000).

Bangladesh

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