Dutch

A language of Netherlands

Also spoken in:

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Aruba

Language NameDutch

User Population

5,290 in Aruba (2009 UNSD), decreasing.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Australia

Language NameDutch

User Population

33,800 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Austria

Language NameDutch

User Population

3,800 in Austria (2003 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Belgium

Language NameDutch

User Population

7,640,000 in Belgium, all users. L1 users: 6,160,000 in Belgium (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 1,480,000 (2017 P. Jorgensen).

Location

Antwerp, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, and Limburg provinces; one area in Brussels.

Alternate Names

Flemish, Nederlands, Vlaams

Dialects

Brabants, Oost-Vlaams, Antwerps.

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1994, Constitution, Articles 2,4,30).

Language Use

Most also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006). Many also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006). Some also use Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006).

Other Comments

Called Vlaams in Belgium, even though different from West Flemish (Vlaams) [vls] spoken in West Flanders. In the Dutch linguistic area there are minority rights for French-speaking persons in Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Wemmel, Wezembeek-Oppem, Mesen, Spiere-Helkijn, Ronse, Bever, Herstappe, Voeren.

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Brazil

Language NameDutch

User Population

11,000 in Brazil (2020 Registro Nacional Migratório no Brasil), based on nationality.

Location

Paraná.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Most also use Portuguese [por].

Language Development

Dutch farming communities use Portuguese [por] in schools but add Dutch curriculum.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Canada

Language NameDutch

User Population

103,000 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Caribbean Netherlands

Language NameDutch

User Population

1,070 in Caribbean Netherlands (2001 census). Bonaire 950, Sint Eustatius 100, Saba 20.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Provisional Official Languages Law, BWBW0028827, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Curacao

Language NameDutch

User Population

11,400 in Curacao (2011 SIL).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Papiamentu [pap].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Denmark

Language NameDutch

User Population

6,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Finland

Language NameDutch

User Population

1,650 in Finland (2018 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Germany

Language NameDutch

User Population

166,000 in Germany (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Greece

Language NameDutch

User Population

4,600 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Luxembourg

Language NameDutch

User Population

4,330 in Luxembourg (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language NameDutch

User Population

24,000 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Norway

Language NameDutch

User Population

9,100 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Portugal

Language NameDutch

User Population

6,590 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sint Maarten

Language NameDutch

User Population

2,000 in Sint Maarten (2011 SIL).

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 1(2)).

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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South Africa

Language NameDutch

User Population

15,000 in South Africa (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Spain

Language NameDutch

User Population

64,600 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Suriname

Language NameDutch

User Population

126,200 in Suriname, all users. L1 users: 1,200 in Suriname (2018). L2 users: 125,000 (2005).

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Sarnami Hindustani [hns]. Also use Sranan Tongo [srn].

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in tertiary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Sweden

Language NameDutch

User Population

12,700 in Sweden (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Switzerland

Language NameDutch

User Population

22,200 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NameDutch

User Population

26,700 in United Kingdom (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameDutch

User Population

142,000 in United States (2015 census).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Most also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United States

Dutch

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A language of Netherlands

Also spoken in:

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