Denmark

Summary

Official Name
Population: 5,873,000
Principal Languages: Danish
Literacy Rate: 99% (Roser and Ortiz-Ospina 2018)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), (), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Hancock 1992, Stephens 1976
Deaf Population: 5,000 (Danish Deaf Association)
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Denmark is 8. Of these, 7 are living and 1 is extinct. Of the living languages, 3 are indigenous and 4 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 3 are institutional and 4 are developing. Also listed are 43 unestablished languages.

Languages

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken ary: Users: 5,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 48,500 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Bengali ben: Users: 1,790 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Bosnian bos: Users: 16,800 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Bulgarian bul: Users: 9,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Burmese mya: Users: 1,840 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Burmish, Southern
Chinese zho: Users: 12,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished.
Croatian hrv: Users: 2,380 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Czech ces: Users: 1,670 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Danish dan: Widespread. Users: 5,460,000 in Denmark (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 5,611,950. Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Rigsdansk Autonym: Dansk Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Danish-Riksmal, Danish
Danish Sign Language dsl: Scattered. Users: 16,000 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 6,000 in Denmark (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 4,000 (2014 EUD), 5,000 (Bergman and Engberg-Pedersen 2010), 24,500 (2014 IMB). L2 users: 10,000 (McGregor et al 2015). Total users in all countries: 16,110 (as L1: 6,110; as L2: 10,000). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2015, Law 61, amendment to Danish Language Council). Alternate Names: DTS, Dansk tegnsprog Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dutch nld: Users: 6,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
English eng: Widespread. Users: 5,031,600 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 31,600 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 5,000,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Engelsk Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Estonian, Standard ekk: Users: 1,370 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Faroese fao: Users: 21,000 in Denmark (2015 R. Hansen). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, West Scandinavian
Finnish fin: Users: 3,610 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
French fra: Scattered. Users: 430,800 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 6,800 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 424,000 (Marcoux et al 2022). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: South Denmark region: north Slesvig. Users: 2,777,800 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 37,800 in Denmark (2020 Eurostat). L2 users: 2,740,000 (2020). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Syddanmark region (1955, Danish-German Agreement). Alternate Names: Deutsch, Tysk Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Users: 3,340 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Greenlandic kal: Scattered. Users: 7,000 in Denmark (2007 L. Toreby). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Greenland (1978, Greenland Homerule Act No. 577, Article 9(1)). Alternate Names: Greenlandic Kalaallisut, Grønlandsk, Inuktitut, Kalaallisut Classification: Eskimo-Aleut, Eskimo, Inuit-Inupiaq
Hungarian hun: Users: 5,370 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic
Icelandic isl: Users: 7,920 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, West Scandinavian
Italian ita: Users: 9,000 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Iu Mien ium: Users: 8,000 in Denmark (2007). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Hmong-Mien, Mienic, Mian-Jin
Japanese jpn: Users: 1,790 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Japonic
Korean kor: Users: 9,580 in Denmark (2019 Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Users: 20,000 in Denmark (2007). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Latvian, Standard lvs: Users: 5,120 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Lithuanian lit: Users: 13,200 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Macedonian mkd: Users: 3,620 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Nepali npi: Users: 4,150 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Eastern, Eastern Pahari
Norwegian nor: Users: 15,700 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Danish-Bokmal
Persian, Iranian pes: Users: 17,200 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Polish pol: Users: 41,500 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Portuguese por: Users: 6,930 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Romanian ron: Users: 30,600 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 11,000 in Denmark (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 6,380 (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Serbian srp: Users: 1,650 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Sinhala sin: Users: 7,000 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Southern, Sinhalese-Maldivian
Slovak slk: Users: 2,920 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Somali som: Users: 11,300 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
Spanish spa: Users: 252,000 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 19,000 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 233,000 (2020). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Swedish swe: Scattered. Users: 754,400 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 14,400 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 740,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Svenska Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Swedish
Tagalog tgl: Users: 10,700 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
Tamil tam: Users: 9,000 in Denmark. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Dravidian, Southern, Tamil-Kannada, Tamil-Kodagu, Tamil-Malayalam, Tamil
Thai tha: Users: 11,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Traveller Danish rmd: Users: No known L1 speakers. Became extinct early in 20th century. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Rodi, Rotwelsch Classification: Mixed language, Danish-Romani
Turkish tur: Users: 33,100 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 12,100 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Urdu urd: Users: 14,500 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Vietnamese vie: Users: 9,650 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Danish

[dan] 1 (National). De facto national language. 5,460,000 in Denmark (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 5,611,950.

2 (Provincial)

German, Standard

[deu] 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Syddanmark region (1955, Danish-German Agreement). 2,777,800 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 37,800 in Denmark (2020 Eurostat). L2 users: 2,740,000 (2020).

Greenlandic

[kal] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Greenland (1978, Greenland Homerule Act No. 577, Article 9(1)). 7,000 in Denmark (2007 L. Toreby).

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 5,031,600 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 31,600 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 5,000,000 (European Commission 2012).

French

[fra] 4 (Educational). 430,800 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 6,800 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 424,000 (Marcoux et al 2022).

5 (Dispersed)

Swedish

[swe] 5* (Dispersed). 754,400 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 14,400 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 740,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Developing)

Danish Sign Language

[dsl] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2015, Law 61, amendment to Danish Language Council). 16,000 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 6,000 in Denmark (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 4,000 (2014 EUD), 5,000 (Bergman and Engberg-Pedersen 2010), 24,500 (2014 IMB). L2 users: 10,000 (McGregor et al 2015). Total users in all countries: 16,110 (as L1: 6,110; as L2: 10,000).

10 (Extinct)

Traveller Danish

[rmd] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Became extinct early in 20th century.

Unestablished

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken

[ary] Unestablished. 5,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 48,500 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 1,790 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Bosnian

[bos] Unestablished. 16,800 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Bulgarian

[bul] Unestablished. 9,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Burmese

[mya] Unestablished. 1,840 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Chinese

[zho] Unestablished. 12,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Croatian

[hrv] Unestablished. 2,380 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Czech

[ces] Unestablished. 1,670 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Dutch

[nld] Unestablished. 6,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Estonian, Standard

[ekk] Unestablished. 1,370 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Faroese

[fao] Unestablished. 21,000 in Denmark (2015 R. Hansen).

Finnish

[fin] Unestablished. 3,610 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Greek

[ell] Unestablished. 3,340 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Hungarian

[hun] Unestablished. 5,370 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Icelandic

[isl] Unestablished. 7,920 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Italian

[ita] Unestablished. 9,000 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Iu Mien

[ium] Unestablished. 8,000 in Denmark (2007).

Japanese

[jpn] Unestablished. 1,790 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Korean

[kor] Unestablished. 9,580 in Denmark (2019 Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs), based on nationality.

Kurdish, Northern

[kmr] Unestablished. 20,000 in Denmark (2007).

Latvian, Standard

[lvs] Unestablished. 5,120 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Lithuanian

[lit] Unestablished. 13,200 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Macedonian

[mkd] Unestablished. 3,620 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Nepali

[npi] Unestablished. 4,150 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Norwegian

[nor] Unestablished. 15,700 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Persian, Iranian

[pes] Unestablished. 17,200 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Polish

[pol] Unestablished. 41,500 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Portuguese

[por] Unestablished. 6,930 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Romanian

[ron] Unestablished. 30,600 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Russian

[rus] Unestablished. 11,000 in Denmark (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 6,380 (2020 census), based on nationality.

Serbian

[srp] Unestablished. 1,650 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Sinhala

[sin] Unestablished. 7,000 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Slovak

[slk] Unestablished. 2,920 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Somali

[som] Unestablished. 11,300 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Spanish

[spa] Unestablished. 252,000 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 19,000 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 233,000 (2020).

Tagalog

[tgl] Unestablished. 10,700 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Tamil

[tam] Unestablished. 9,000 in Denmark.

Thai

[tha] Unestablished. 11,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Turkish

[tur] Unestablished. 33,100 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 12,100 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Urdu

[urd] Unestablished. 14,500 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 9,650 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Maps

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Denmark with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Denmark is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Denmark with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Denmark is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Denmark in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Denmark ($199.95, 42 page PDF)

Denmark

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action