Congo

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2002, Constitution, Article 6). 3,181,100 in Congo, all users. L1 users: 11,100 in Congo (2020). L2 users: 3,170,000 (Beck et al 2018).

3 (Wider communication)

Kituba

[mkw] 3 (Wider communication). Statutory language of national identity (2002, Constitution, Article 6), recognized as lingua franca. Used throughout the south in churches, the market and the media. Established itself in large towns during colonial period between 1885 and 1960. Lingua franca in Bas-Congo, Kwango, Kwilu, Kinshasa, Mai-Ndombe and Kasai-Occidental. 1,750,000 (2018).

Lingala

[lin] 3 (Wider communication). Statutory language of national identity (2002, Constitution, Article 6), generally northern. Lingala is used throughout the area north of Brazzaville in the churches, the market and the media (2014 SIL). 213,000 in Congo (2018).

5 (Developing)

Aka

[axk] 5* (Developing). 15,000 in Congo (Cavalli-Sforza 1986).

Bobangi

[bni] 5* (Developing). 106,000 in Congo (2018).

Bongili

[bui] 5* (Developing). 11,600 (2018).

Gbaya

[gya] 5* (Developing). 2,000 in Congo (Johnstone 1993).

Kako

[kkj] 5* (Developing). 13,000 in Congo (2018).

Mbandja

[zmz] 5* (Developing). 14,000 in Congo (2018).

Ngbaka Ma’bo

[nbm] 5* (Developing). 159,000 in Congo (2018).

Njebi

[nzb] 5* (Developing). 23,000 in Congo (2018).

Punu

[puu] 5* (Developing). 16,500 in Congo (2018).

American Sign Language

[ase] 5 (Developing). 27,000 in Congo (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 16,000–32,000, based on 0.3%–0.6% of total population.

Beembe

[beq] 5 (Developing). 100,000 (2007 census).

Laari

[ldi] 5 (Developing). 159,000 in Congo (2018).

Ngbaka

[nga] 5 (Developing). 3,650 in Congo (2000).

Njyem

[njy] 5 (Developing). 3,500 in Congo. 2,980 monolinguals.

5 (Dispersed)

Fang

[fan] 5* (Dispersed). 11,800 in Congo (2018).

Koongo

[kng] 5* (Dispersed). 16,500 in Congo (2007 census).

6a (Vigorous)

Bekwel

[bkw] 6a (Vigorous). 14,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 19,700.

Bomwali

[bmw] 6a* (Vigorous). 49,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 55,100.

Dibole

[bvx] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 (Leitch 2004). 800 monolinguals (Leitch 2004). Ethnic population: 4,000.

Doondo

[dde] 6a (Vigorous). 30,000 (2007 census).

Kota

[koq] 6a* (Vigorous). 16,500 in Congo (2018).

Kunyi

[njx] 6a* (Vigorous). 137,000 (2018).

Likuba

[kxx] 6a* (Vigorous). 53,000 (2018).

Likwala

[kwc] 6a* (Vigorous). 79,000 (2018).

Mbere

[mdt] 6a* (Vigorous). 106,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 151,500.

Mboko

[mdu] 6a* (Vigorous). 47,000 (2018).

Mpyemo

[mcx] 6a* (Vigorous).

Ndasa

[nda] 6a* (Vigorous). 4,530 in Congo (2000). Total users in all countries: 5,530.

Ngom

[nra] 6a* (Vigorous). 4,530 in Congo (2000).

Ngungwel

[ngz] 6a (Vigorous). 45,000 (1988 SIL).

Ombamba

[mbm] 6a* (Vigorous). 23,000 (2018).

Pomo

[pmm] 6a* (Vigorous). 5,430 in Congo (2000).

Suundi

[sdj] 6a* (Vigorous). 216,000 (2018).

Teke-Kukuya

[kkw] 6a* (Vigorous). 38,800 (2000). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Teke-Tege

[teg] 6a* (Vigorous). 49,300 in Congo (2000). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Teke-Tyee

[tyx] 6a (Vigorous). 14,400. 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Tsaangi

[tsa] 6a (Vigorous). 23,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 31,610.

Vili

[vif] 6a (Vigorous). 13,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 16,690.

Wumbvu

[wum] 6a* (Vigorous). 10,600 in Congo (2018).

Yaka

[iyx] 6a* (Vigorous). 36,000 (2018).

6b (Threatened)

Akwa

[akw] 6b* (Threatened). 42,000 (2018).

Bomitaba

[zmx] 6b* (Threatened). 16,500 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 16,720.

Bwisi

[bwz] 6b* (Threatened). 3,020 in Congo (2000). Total users in all countries: 4,250.

Kaamba

[xku] 6b* (Threatened). 51,400 (2007 census).

Koyo

[koh] 6b (Threatened). 1,000.

Lumbu

[lup] 6b* (Threatened). 3,020 in Congo (2000).

Mbangwe

[zmn] 6b (Threatened). 1,510 in Congo (2000).

Mbosi

[mdw] 6b (Threatened). 190,000 (2018). Ethnic population: 707,000 (2019).

Moi

[mow] 6b (Threatened). 3,020 (2000).

Monzombo

[moj] 6b* (Threatened). 14,000 in Congo (2018). Total users in all countries: 20,600.

Ngundi

[ndn] 6b (Threatened). 3,000 in Congo (2004).

Teke-Eboo

[ebo] 6b (Threatened). 20,400 in Congo (2000). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Teke-Ibali

[tek] 6b* (Threatened). 36,200 in Congo (2000). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Teke-Laali

[lli] 6b (Threatened). 2,100 (2006). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Teke-Nzikou

[nzu] 6b (Threatened).

Teke-Tsaayi

[tyi] 6b* (Threatened). 95,900 (2000). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Teke-Wuumu

[ifm] 6b* (Threatened). 14,000 (2021 Joshua Project). 900,000 all Teke languages in Congo (2019 World Factbook).

Yombe

[yom] 6b (Threatened). 26,000 in Congo (Mabiala 1996).

7 (Shifting)

Bonjo

[bok] 7 (Shifting). 3,000.

Unestablished

Hausa

[hau] Unestablished. 10,700 in Congo (2018).

Sango

[sag] Unestablished. 117,000 in Congo (2018).

Congo

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