NE
Republic of Niger
Niger
Summary
- Official Name
- Republic of Niger
- Population
- 25,131,000
- Principal Languages
- French
- Literacy Rate
- 35% (2018 UNESCO)
- International Conventions
- ACHPR (1987), CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
- General References
- Applegate 1970, Bendor-Samuel and Hartell 1989, Nicolaï 1979, Nicolaï 1981, Nicolaï 1983, Sapir 1971, Vanderaa 1991
- Deaf Population
- 16,000
- Language Counts
- The number of established languages listed for Niger is 24. All are living languages. Of these, 20 are indigenous and 4 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 10 are developing, 8 are vigorous, and 2 are in trouble. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages.
Languages
- Arabic, Algerian Saharan Spoken aao
- Agadez area. Users: 10,000 in Niger (1998). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Arabic, Hassaniyya mey
- Tahoua region: Tchin-tabaraden department. Users: 26,400 in Niger (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Hasanya, Hassani, Maure, Mauri, Moor, Sulaka Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Arabic, Libyan Spoken ayl
- Agadez region: Bilma north from N’guigmi to Libya border; Diffa region; Zinder region: Goure department. Users: 12,900 in Niger (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Libyan Vernacular Arabic, Sulaimitian Arabic Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Arabic, Shuwa shu
- Diffa region: Lake Chad north shore. Users: 12,900 in Niger (2021). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Arabe Choa, Chadic Arabic, Shua Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Arabic, Standard arb
- Widespread. Users: 7,800 in Niger (2015 SIL), all users. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Article 5), used in education. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Bamanankan bam
- Users: 54,200 in Niger (2021). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Bambara Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Northeastern Manding, Bamana
- Dazaga dzg
- Diffa region: N’guigmi department, east near Chadian border; Zinder region: Goure department. Users: 93,200 in Niger (2021). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Daza, Tebu, Teda-Daza, Toubou, Tubu Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Tebu
- Dendi ddn
- Dosso region: Boboye, Dosso, and Gaya departments. Users: 142,000 in Niger (2021). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Southern
- French fra
- Users: 2,835,420 in Niger, all users. L1 users: 5,420 in Niger (2021). L2 users: 2,830,000 (2018). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
- Fulfulde, Central-Eastern Niger fuq
- Widespread. Users: 862,000 (2021). Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Fula, Fulani, Fulbe, Peul, Peulh Autonym: Fulfulde Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, East Central
- Fulfulde, Western Niger fuh
- Dosso region: Burkina Faso border east to Dogondoutchi area; group in Niamey region; Tillabéri region: central and west. Users: 1,240,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 2,440,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Fula, Fulani, Fulbe, Gorgal Fulfulde, Northeastern Burkina Faso Fulfulde, Peul, Peulh Autonym: Fulfulde, ڢُلْڢُلْدٜ (Fulfulde) Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, East Central
- Gourmanchéma gux
- Tillabéri region: Say department, Burkina Faso border, south of Niamey. Users: 77,900 in Niger (2021). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Goulimancema, Gourma, Gourmantche, Gulmancema, Gurma Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma
- Hausa hau
- Widespread. Users: 19,080,000 in Niger, all users. L1 users: 12,800,000 in Niger (2021). L2 users: 6,280,000 (2021). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2001, Language Law No. 2001-037), mainly used in education. The main trade language of Niger. Alternate Names: Haoussa, Hausawa, Haussa Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West, A, A.1
- Kanembu kbl
- Users: 34,800 in Niger (2021). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Kanembou Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Kanuri
- Kanuri, Bilma bms
- Agadez region: Bilma town area; southwest enclave. Users: 42,900 (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bla Bla, Kanouri, Kanoury Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Kanuri
- Kanuri, Manga kby
- Zinder region; Diffa region: Diffa and Maine-soroa departments; Nigeria border area. Users: 720,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 920,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Kanouri, Kanoury, Kanuri, Kànòrí Autonym: Manga Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Kanuri
- Kanuri, Tumari krt
- Diffa region: N’guigmi and neighboring villages. Users: 103,000 (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kanambu, Kanembu Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Kanuri
- Kanuri, Yerwa knc
- Diffa region: Banda area, west of Lake Chad, along Nigeria border. Users: 206,000 in Niger (2021). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Bornouans, Bornu, Central Kanuri, Kanouri, Kanoury, Kanuri, Kole, Sirata, “Beriberi” (pej.) Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Kanuri
- Tagdal tda
- Agadez region: Arlit and Tchirozerene departments; Tahoua region: southeast; northwest Zinder and north central Maradi regions. Users: 65,300 (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Igalan Classification: Mixed language, Songhay-Berber
- Tamahaq, Tahaggart thv
- Agadez region: north border area. Users: 36,500 in Niger (2021). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Tamachek, Tamachek’, Tamahaq, Tamashekin, Tamasheq, Tomachek, Touareg, Tourage, Tuareg Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Northern
- Tamajaq, Tawallammat ttq
- Agadez region: Tchirozerine department; Dosso region: Dogondoutchi department; northwest Maradi region; Tahoua and Tillabéri regions. Central Tahoua from Ingal to Mali border (eastern dialect); west, north and northwest of Niamey (western dialect). Users: 829,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 1,249,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Amazigh, Tahoua, Tahoua Tamajeq, Tamachek, Tamajaq, Tamashekin, Tamasheq, Tewellemet, Tomacheck, Touareg, Tourage, Tuareg Autonym: Təmajəq, تَمَاجِقْ (tamāğiq), ⵜⵎⵌⵆ (Tamajaq) Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Southern
- Tamajeq, Tayart thz
- Agadez region: Arlit and Tchirozerine departments; northwest Zinder and east, southeast Tahoua regions; Maradi region: Dakoro and Mayahi departments. Users: 481,000 (2021). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Amazigh, Tamachek, Tomacheck, Touareg, Tuareg Autonym: Tamajeq Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Southern
- Tasawaq twq
- Agadez region: In-Gall and Teguidda-In-Tessoumt. Users: 20,900 (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ingelshi, Tassawaq Autonym: Ingalkoyyu’ Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Northern
- Tedaga tuq
- Agadez region: Bilma department; Diffa region: N’guigmi department. Users: 26,400 in Niger (2021). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tebu, Teda, Teda-Daza, Tibbu, Toubou, Tubu, Tudaga Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Tebu
- Tetserret tez
- Tahoua region: Abalak department, Azawagh valley between Abalak, Shadwanka and Akoubounou south of the Aîr massif. Users: 2,000 (2017 I. Maddieson). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chinsart, Tin Sert Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Zenaga
- Yoruba yor
- Users: 80,700 in Niger (2021). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid, Edekiri
- Zarma dje
- Dosso and Tillabéri regions; also Niamey. Users: 5,900,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 5,990,100. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Adzerma, Djerma, Dyabarma, Dyarma, Dyerma, Zabarma, Zarbarma, Zarmaci, Zerma Autonym: Zarma sanni, Zarmaciine Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Southern
Languages by Status
French
[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 2,835,420 in Niger, all users. L1 users: 5,420 in Niger (2021). L2 users: 2,830,000 (2018).
Hausa
[hau] 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2001, Language Law No. 2001-037), mainly used in education. The main trade language of Niger. 19,080,000 in Niger, all users. L1 users: 12,800,000 in Niger (2021). L2 users: 6,280,000 (2021).
Arabic, Standard
[arb] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Article 5), used in education. 7,800 in Niger (2015 SIL), all users.
Tamajeq, Tayart
[thz] 4 (Educational). 481,000 (2021).
Zarma
[dje] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 5,900,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 5,990,100.
Arabic, Shuwa
[shu] 5* (Dispersed). 12,900 in Niger (2021).
Dazaga
[dzg] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 93,200 in Niger (2021).
Dendi
[ddn] 5* (Dispersed). 142,000 in Niger (2021).
Kanuri, Yerwa
[knc] 5* (Dispersed). 206,000 in Niger (2021).
Fulfulde, Central-Eastern Niger
[fuq] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 862,000 (2021).
Fulfulde, Western Niger
[fuh] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 1,240,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 2,440,000.
Gourmanchéma
[gux] 5* (Developing). 77,900 in Niger (2021).
Kanuri, Manga
[kby] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 720,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 920,000.
Tamajaq, Tawallammat
[ttq] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Article 3). 829,000 in Niger (2021). Total users in all countries: 1,249,000.
Arabic, Algerian Saharan Spoken
[aao] 6a* (Vigorous). 10,000 in Niger (1998).
Arabic, Hassaniyya
[mey] 6a* (Vigorous). 26,400 in Niger (2021).
Arabic, Libyan Spoken
[ayl] 6a* (Vigorous). 12,900 in Niger (2021).
Kanuri, Bilma
[bms] 6a* (Vigorous). 42,900 (2021).
Kanuri, Tumari
[krt] 6a* (Vigorous). 103,000 (2021).
Tagdal
[tda] 6a* (Vigorous). 65,300 (2021).
Tasawaq
[twq] 6a* (Vigorous). 20,900 (2021).
Tedaga
[tuq] 6a* (Vigorous). 26,400 in Niger (2021).
Maps
Graphs
Language Vitality Profile

Full explanation
Language Status Profile

Full explanation
Resources
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Digest of the languages of Niger ($149.95, 31 page PDF)
