Democratic Republic of the Congo

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Constitution, Article 1). 15,500,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2021 A. Dusséaux), L2 users.

2 (Provincial)

Kituba

[ktu] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Bas-Congo, Bandundu regions (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 5,000,000, all users. L1 users: 4,200,000 (1990 UBS). L2 users: 800,000.

Lingala

[lin] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in northwestern regions (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). Developed as a trade language around 1900 about halfway between Kinshasa and Kisangani. It then spread along the river, ultimately becoming entrenched in Kinshasa, where it has become the L1 of most people. 40,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 20,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2021 M. Meeuwis). L2 users: 20,000,000 (2021 M. Meeuwis). Total users in all countries: 40,252,520 (as L1: 20,252,520; as L2: 20,000,000).

Luba-Kasai

[lua] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Kasai Region (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 7,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 6,300,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1991 UBS). L2 users: 700,000. Total users in all countries: 7,060,000 (as L1: 6,360,000; as L2: 700,000).

Swahili, Congo

[swc] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in eastern regions (2006, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 11,100,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 2,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2019). L2 users: 9,100,000 (1991 UBS). Total users in all countries: 11,143,000 (as L1: 2,043,000; as L2: 9,100,000).

3 (Wider communication)

Bangala

[bxg] 3 (Wider communication). Used as an LWC in Aru, Dungu, Faradje, and Watsa territories by all ethnic groups as a preferred market language. 3,500,000, all users. L1 users: Few L1 speakers. L2 users: 3,500,000 (1991 UBS).

Sango

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

4 (Educational)

Koongo

[kng] 4 (Educational). 8,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 3,000,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1982 UBS). L2 users: 5,000,000. Total users in all countries: 11,236,500 (as L1: 6,236,500; as L2: 5,000,000).

5 (Developing)

Alur

[alz] 5* (Developing). 750,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 1,735,000.

Bembe

[bmb] 5* (Developing). 252,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1991 UBS). Total users in all countries: 274,000.

Budu

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

Fuliiru

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

Kanyok

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

Kele

[khy] 5* (Developing). 160,000 (1980 UBS).

Lala-Bisa

[leb] 5* (Developing).

Lega-Shabunda

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

Lendu

[led] 5* (Developing). 750,000 (1996 SIL).

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.

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). Total users in all countries: 367,400.

Mongo-Nkundu

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

Nande

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

Ndrulo

[dno] 5* (Developing). 126,800 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, all users. L1 users: 87,200 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2018 SIL). L2 users: 39,600 (2018 SIL). Total users in all countries: 145,700 (as L1: 106,100; as L2: 39,600).

Ngbandi, Northern

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

Ngiti

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

Ruund

[rnd] 5* (Developing). 153,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Total users in 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). Total users in all countries: 281,600.

Tembo

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

Yombe

[yom] 5* (Developing). 669,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2002). Total users in all countries: 734,400.

Zande

[zne] 5* (Developing). 730,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Total users in all countries: 1,892,000 (as L1: 1,792,000; as L2: 100,000).

Ngbaka

[nga] 5 (Developing). 1,010,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). 600,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 1,016,650.

5 (Dispersed)

Bemba

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

Chokwe

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

Kinyarwanda

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

Lunda

[lun] 5* (Dispersed).

6a (Vigorous)

Asoa

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

Aushi

[auh] 6a* (Vigorous).

Avokaya

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

Bali

[bcp] 6a* (Vigorous). 42,000 (1987 UBS). 2,100 monolinguals.

Baloi

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

Bamwe

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

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). Total users in 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). Total users in all countries: 164,340.

Bangubangu

[bnx] 6a (Vigorous). 246,000 (Tshonda 2011), including 85,000 Bangubangu, 30,000 Mikebwe, 20,000 Kasenga, 32,000 Nonda, and 4,000 Hombo ({Tshonda 2011}).

Barambu

[brm] 6a* (Vigorous). 25,600 (1990 census).

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).

Boma

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

Bomboma

[bws] 6a* (Vigorous). 23,000 (1983 census).

Bozaba

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

Budza

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

Bushoong

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

Buyu

[byi] 6a* (Vigorous). 63,200 (2019 M. Kate-ke-sombe), all users. 63 villages. L1 users: 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). Total users in all countries: 16,000.

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).

Iyansi

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

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).

Kela

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

Kete

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

Kobo

[okc] 6a* (Vigorous). 50,000 (2014 SIL).

Kongo, San Salvador

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

Konzo

[koo] 6a* (Vigorous).

Kusu

[ksv] 6a* (Vigorous). 100,000 (Tshonda 2011).

Kwese

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

Lalia

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

Lega-Mwenga

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

Lele

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

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 1971a).

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 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Welmers 1971a). Total users in all countries: 41,000.

[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 1971a).

Mituku

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

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).

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 1971a).

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).

Nzadi

[nzd] 6a* (Vigorous). Several thousand speakers (2017 I. Maddieson).

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 1971a).

Sakata

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

Salampasu

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

Sengele

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

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

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).

Suku

[sub] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1980 UBS). Total users in all countries: 80,000.

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).

Teke, Ibali

[tek] 6a* (Vigorous). 167,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Total users in 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). Total users in 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).

Yela

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

Zimba

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

Zula

[zla] 6a (Vigorous). 25,000 (2020 SIL).

6b (Threatened)

Amba

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

Babango

[bbm] 6b* (Threatened). 2,550 (2000).

Baka

[bdh] 6b* (Threatened). 1,300 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1993 UBS).

Banda, Mid-Southern

[bjo] 6b* (Threatened). 2,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1986 SIL).

Bhele

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

Bira

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

Boloki

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

Bolondo

[bzm] 6b* (Threatened). 3,000 (1983 census).

Bomboli

[bml] 6b* (Threatened). 2,500 (1986 SIL).

Buraka

[bkg] 6b* (Threatened). 1,300 in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Gbanziri

[gbg] 6b* (Threatened). 3,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1986 SIL).

Holu

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

Hungana

[hum] 6b (Threatened). 400.

Kango

[kzy] 6b* (Threatened). 2,000 (1998 T. Harvey).

Kanu

[khx] 6b* (Threatened). 3,500 (Welmers 1971a).

Kaonde

[kqn] 6b (Threatened). 36,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1995).

Komo

[kmw] 6b (Threatened). 400,000 (1998 SIL).

Kpala

[kpl] 6b* (Threatened). 3,000 (1986 SIL).

Kwami

[ktf] 6b* (Threatened). 400.

Lamba

[lam] 6b (Threatened).

Langbashe

[lna] 6b* (Threatened). 3,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (1984 census).

Lonzo

[lnz] 6b* (Threatened). 300.

Luba-Katanga

[lub] 6b (Threatened). 1,510,000 (1991 UBS).

Moingi

[mwz] 6b* (Threatened). 4,200 (2002).

Mvuba

[mxh] 6b* (Threatened). 5,100 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000). Total users in all countries: 7,980.

Ndunga

[ndt] 6b* (Threatened). 2,500 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Nyindu

[nyg] 6b (Threatened). 8,400 (2002), decreasing.

Samba

[smx] 6b* (Threatened). 4,200 (2002).

Seba

[kdg] 6b* (Threatened). 167,000 (2002).

Songoora

[sod] 6b* (Threatened). 49,600 (2019 M. Kate-ke-sombe), all users. 152 villages. L1 users: 1,300 (Welmers 1971a).

Yulu

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

7 (Shifting)

Mfinu

[zmf] 7 (Shifting). 8,400 (2002).

8a (Moribund)

Beeke

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

Mayeka

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

Nyanga-li

[nyc] 8a (Moribund). 69,000 (2002). 21,000 Gbati-ri (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. Total users in all countries: 2,528.

10 (Extinct)

Ngbee

[jgb] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker probably died by the 1960s (Sommer 1992).

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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