Language Use Study: 77% of Germans Speak Only German at Home

A recent study conducted by the Federal Statistical Office reveals that the majority of residents in Germany communicate exclusively in German within their households. Approximately 77% of the population speaks only German at home, while 17% utilize at least one additional language alongside German. Conversely, around 6% of individuals primarily converse in languages other than German.

The findings of this study are drawn from the 2023 Microcensus and were released in conjunction with the International Mother Language Day on Friday. According to the data, among those who are multilingual, about 26% predominantly communicate in German, while a significant 74% primarily use another language at home.

Topping the list of languages spoken at home, Turkish is the most commonly used language after German, with 14% of individuals reporting it as their primary household language. Russian follows closely at 12%, and Arabic is spoken by 9% of the population.

The study highlights that among the approximately 21.2 million individuals with a migration background, 22% communicate solely in German. In contrast, over half (54%) of this group speaks at least one other language in addition to German. Notably, 79% of those who are multilingual within this demographic primarily use a language other than German at home, indicating a diverse linguistic landscape.

These statistics underscore the linguistic diversity that characterizes modern Germany, showcasing a trend of predominantly German communication at home while acknowledging the significant presence of other languages within the community.