What Language Does Sweden Speak?

Sweden primarily speaks Swedish, which is the official main language of the country. Approximately 10 million people in Sweden speak Swedish.

Swedish: The Official and Dominant Language

Swedish (Svenska) is a North Germanic language, closely related to Danish and Norwegian, but with distinct differences in pronunciation and grammar. It serves as the primary language for government, education, business, and daily life across Sweden. Its status as the official language was formally established in 2009.

Recognized National Minority Languages

While Swedish is paramount, Sweden has also officially recognized several national minority languages, reflecting the country's diverse cultural heritage. These languages are protected and promoted by law, granting speakers certain rights, such as the right to use their language in dealings with authorities in specific areas.

The five official national minority languages are:

• Finnish: Spoken predominantly by the Finnish minority, especially in the northern parts of Sweden.
• Meänkieli: A Finnic language, closely related to Finnish, spoken in the Torne Valley area.
• Sami: A group of Uralic languages spoken by the indigenous Sami people across Fennoscandia, including northern Sweden.
• Romani Chib: The language of the Romani people, with various dialects spoken throughout Sweden.
• Yiddish: The historical language of the Jewish minority in Sweden.

Other Widely Spoken Languages

Due to immigration and a strong emphasis on foreign language education, Sweden is also home to a multitude of other languages. English, in particular, is very widely spoken, especially among younger generations and in urban areas, often functioning as a de facto second language for international communication.

Here's a breakdown of the linguistic landscape in Sweden:

For more detailed information on languages in Sweden, you can visit sweden.se.