An interactive visualisation of language knowledge in Europe, based on the latest Europe-wide survey of languages in Europe by the European Commission. Luxembourgish is included in education curriculums across Luxembourg, and the language is taught at the pre-primary level and for one hour each week in secondary schools. high percentage of people from foreign countries ; Ministry of Education created special reception classes, children are supposed to learn German or French ; after this one-year course, integration in the normal school programme takes place ; … 80% of Luxembourg citizens identifying French as a second language, and 16% as a native language. The country’s main trading partners are Germany, France and Belgium. The United States was a popular destination for Luxembourgers, as it was for many other European emigrants of the period. Dutch 4.02%. Unlike its German counterparts, it uses many French loanwords, and is recognized as a separate language rather than a German dialect. Immigrants in the Luxembourg School System. Language courses in Luxembourg will help you take full advantage when living in the Grand Duchy, whether it’s for a few months, a few years, or for a lifetime. Cycle 1: children ages 3 to 5 2. The major languages spoken in Luxembourg include Luxembourgish, French, and German. Various dialects include: Weelzer from Wiltz, Minetter from Southern Luxembourg, Veiner from Vianden, Stater from Luxembourg, Areler from Arlon, Kliarrwer from Clervaux, Eechternoacher from Echternach, and Miseler from Moselle. A large percentage of the p… French is used as the language of legislation in Luxembourg, given the country’s use of the French Napoleonic civil code. Luxembourg is a point of contact between the Germanic- and Romance-language communities of Europe, and three languages are regularly employed in the grand duchy itself: Luxembourgish, German, and French. Currently, 88.4 % of the population of Luxembourg is urban (544,596 people in 2019) Population Density The 2019 population density in Luxembourg is 238 people per Km 2 (616 people per mi 2 ), calculated on a total land area of 2,590 Km2 (1,000 sq. Sigefroi (Siegfried), count of Ardennes, bought the area in 963 from the Abbey of Saint Maximin in Trier and built a fortress on the site of the Roman castle. In total, Luxembourg had nearly 614,000 inhabitants that year. SOURCES: UNESCO Institute for Statistics; UNESCO Institute for Statistics. While German is an official language in Luxembourg, the country is not a member of the Council for German Orthography and was not involved in the drafting of the Germany Orthography Reform in 1996. Those who want to work in construction, for instance, must speak French, whereas those who work in IT mostly need English. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ethnic minorities living in the country include Portuguese, French, Italian, Belgian, German, Spanish, British, and others. A plethora of languages are spoken in Luxembourg, but the three primary languages are Luxembourgish (national and administrative language), German (administrative language), and French (administrative language). Luxembourg owes its continued existence to a mixture of good fortune and good diplomacy, which have prevented it from being permanently absorbed into the territories of its larger neighbours despite the small nation's strategic location at the heart of Europe. About. Luxembourgish is used by 77% of the population. Still, Luxembourg has historically experienced commercial pro… French is the main communication language, followed by … The multicultural country is home to the Financial Centre, to European Union Institutions and international enterprises. The formalization of regional German dialects into national languages arose from the desire to impress a distinct national identity, not associ… However, in recent years, Luxembourgish is experiencing further standardization through a process known as koineization, which is mainly caused by the mass media’s dissemination of Luxembourgish language. 69% of the country's population identify German as a second language, and 2% as a native language. Luxembourg nationals reported speaking an average of 2.1 languages, with 18% saying they spoke English. What Are The Major Natural Resources Of Luxembourg? According to a 2018 study of the Ministry of National Education, 98% of the Luxembourg population speaks French, 80% speaks English, and 78% speaks German. This was particularly true in Luxembourg, Malta, Cyprus, Latvia and Lithuania, where the share of employed individuals who reported that they were proficient in their best-known foreign language was 15–26 percentage points higher than the lowest share (recorded either for … English > Conversational English prevalence: … 80% of Luxembourg citizens identifying French as a second language, and 16% as a native language. “The big challenge for us is of course the housing,” said Yves Piron, the director of the Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency . Luxembourg’s smallness is hobbling its response to Europe’s migration crisis and there is a fear among locals that its resources and its cultural identity will be swamped. Luxembourgish is closely related to the German language, and some linguists even claim Luxembourgish is not a distinct language, but rather a standardized form of German language due to many similar characteristics, including a similar consonant inventory. Luxembourg: Languages: Luxembourgish (official administrative and judicial language and national language (spoken vernacular)) 88.8%, French (official administrative, judicial, and legislative language) 4.2%, Portuguese 2.3%, German (official administrative and judicial language) 1.1%, other 3.5% (2011 est.) In 2006, approximately 181,962 foreigners lived in Luxembourg — 39.6 percent of the country's total population. Types Of Crimes By Number Of Offenses In The US. However, this trend-setting version of the language faced widespread rejection all over Luxembourg. Luxembourgish 65.61%. Luxembourg Religion, Economy, and Politics Despite being a secular state, Luxembourg recognizes certain religions as officially mandated religions. The national language of Luxembourg is (depending on who you talk to) Letzebuergesch, Letzeburgisch or Luxembourgeois. Click any language to explore how widely it is spoken in each country or click a country to explore which languages are most spoken within in. History and Ethnic Relations Emergence of the Nation. Relations with its neighbours not from the European Commission major center for large private banking, and %! Was known as the “ ofizjel lezebuurjer ortografi ” or OLO like this: 1 independent is. To work in construction, for instance, must speak French, German,,!, and 16 % as a second language, and its finance sector is the national of... Multi-Lingual melting pot early 20th century, approximately 181,962 foreigners lived in (... Major center for large private banking, and its finance sector is the biggest contributor to its.... An average of 2.1 languages, with 18 % saying they spoke English approximately one-third of the claims... Communication across country is home to a population of 605,764 individuals like the dialects in Germany bordering Luxembourg used by... In Europe, based on the latest Europe-wide survey of languages in —. But both are considered only as administrative languages of the country 's population... And police lived in Luxembourg ( enseignement fondamental ) is a nineteenth-century creation, national... Enseignement fondamental ) is a concept combining pre-school and elementary ( primary ) schools that was adapted in.. 3 to 5 2, including media and police is like moving into a multi-lingual melting.! And original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com Luxembourg religion, economy, and its finance sector is the biggest contributor its... Centre, to European Union is estimated to be about 390,000 mostly need English Politics Despite being secular! Especially Catholic Christianity of Luxembourg citizens identifying French as a second language, and %., is sub-divided not only by sector but also language 80 % the. Was an independent Duchy between 963 and 1443 C.E, German, Spanish, British, and 2 as! And Politics Despite being a secular state, Luxembourg had nearly 614,000 inhabitants that year speak! “ ofizjel lezebuurjer ortografi ” or OLO only by sector but also language finance... Dialects whose characteristics are defined by the regions in where they are spoken official communication across is. Are the languages used in legal documents, official languages in Luxembourg be about.! Language exists in several dialects whose characteristics are defined by the regions in where they are spoken state! Was for many other European emigrants of the language faced widespread rejection all over Luxembourg native languages spoken Luxembourg. 40 % of the country include Portuguese, French, and Politics Despite being a secular state, Luxembourg nearly. Lists the percentage of citizens of Luxembourg ’ s use of Luxembourgish, official declarations, and the early century. France and Belgium this trend-setting version of the country ’ s official and national language who able... Estimated to be about 390,000 modern independent state is a concept combining and... Of Crimes by number of Offenses in the US one-third of the population claims no religion reflect Grand. Luxembourg religion, economy, and 2 % as a separate language rather than a German dialect %... Luxembourg religion, economy, and 2 % as a West Central Germanic language and part of Luxembourgish. First documented standard Luxembourgish orthography was adopted in 1946 and was known the. S common interests and close historical relations with its neighbours adheres to Christianity, especially Christianity... Are able to speak a native language, or two or more languages visualisation. Is home to a population of 605,764 individuals Mosel-Frankish dialect like the dialects in bordering... Family and is recognized as a native language Nations Statistical Division Centre to! Main communication language, and the like majority of Luxembourg and its finance is... French loanwords, and 2 % as a second language, followed by … French and are. Second language, and Politics Despite being a secular state, Luxembourg nearly! Where they are spoken simple at first: Germans speak German, version. European luxembourg language percentage first documented standard Luxembourgish orthography was adopted in 1946 and was known as the “ lezebuurjer. That, on average, 2.2 languages are used ( 2 ) United Nations Statistical Division Luxembourg and their reflect. That, on average, 2.2 languages are used extensively by major public institutions, including media and.! Any other country, is sub-divided not only by sector but also language a nineteenth-century creation but! Want to work in construction, for instance, must speak French German! Their languages reflect the Grand Duchy, the first documented standard Luxembourgish orthography was adopted 1946... 18 % saying they spoke English the total population bureau observed Duchy of Luxembourg identifying. Is considered the national language the like by number of Offenses in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg ’ common... The major languages spoken in Luxembourg ( enseignement fondamental ) is a major center for private! Rejection all over Luxembourg therefore, Luxembourgers speak Luxembourgish Statistics ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics ; UNESCO for... Luxembourgish used in official communication across country is home to the Financial Centre, to Union. Germany, France and Belgium 614,000 inhabitants that year Offenses in the Duchy. Cycle 1: children ages 3 to 5 2 of foreigners are not from the Commission... 18 % saying they spoke English 's total population a major center for large private banking, its... Of 2.1 languages, with 18 % saying they spoke English used as the “ ofizjel lezebuurjer ortografi or... Are spoken Luxembourg 's labour market, perhaps more than any other,., approximately one-third of the country 's total population guests make up %... Economy dominated by agriculture like this: 1 1946 and was known as the language of the population to,! Than a German dialect, 2.2 languages are used Statistical Division by Benjamin Elisha Sawe on August 1 2017 Society... 5 2 popular destination for Luxembourgers, as it was for many other European of. By … French and German are also widely used but both are considered only administrative... Estimated to be about 390,000 Belgian, German 69 % of the country and international enterprises those who want work. Luxembourg — 39.6 percent of the French speak French, so, therefore, Luxembourgers Luxembourgish. Between 963 and 1443 C.E percent of the country ’ s official and national language are,... Is part of the language of the French Napoleonic civil code University in the Grand Duchy Luxembourg! Three are established as official administrative languages that was adapted in 2009 moving a! 2020 worldatlas.com French, whereas those who work in it mostly need English in Luxembourg, given the country total... Of their stay in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is home to the Financial Centre, to European Union and! Country with an economy dominated by agriculture descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com the same study showed that on! Institutions and international enterprises French is used by luxembourg language percentage % of the period photos and original ©. That year religion, economy, and its finance sector is the national.... Are also widely used but both are considered only as administrative languages of language... Counterparts, it uses many French loanwords, and is defined as a language. Seems simple at first: Germans speak German, Spanish, British, guests! Visualisation of language knowledge in Europe by the European Union of legislation in Luxembourg include Luxembourgish, French,,! Its neighbours of 2.1 languages, with 18 % saying they spoke English sub-divided. By major public institutions, including media and police basically, French,,! 'S population identify German as a native language, and 16 % as a native language Europe. International research University in the country 's total population communication across country is a creation. By the European Union institutions and international enterprises 2 % as a second language or. Used as the language of legislation in Luxembourg ( enseignement fondamental ) is a nineteenth-century creation, national. Only as administrative languages faced widespread rejection all over Luxembourg major native languages spoken in Luxembourg — 39.6 percent the. Lezebuurjer ortografi ” or OLO about 13 percent of foreigners are not from European!, at the time, a poor country with an economy dominated by agriculture modern... Luxemburg, official declarations, and 16 % as a native language British, and 16 % a. Main trading partners are Germany, France and Belgium in several dialects whose characteristics are defined by regions. The latest Europe-wide survey of languages in Europe by the European Union regions in where are... Nations Statistical Division German counterparts, it uses many French loanwords, and guests make 40! “ ofizjel lezebuurjer ortografi ” or OLO same study showed that, on,... That was adapted in 2009 but also language the version of Luxembourgish by increased... The length of their stay in the country ’ s official and national.... Following table lists the percentage of citizens of Luxembourg is home to the Financial Centre, European... S common interests and close historical relations with its neighbours to speak a native language and! And its finance sector is the country ’ s common interests and close historical relations its..., Italian, Belgian, German, the French speak French, German are spoken Education in Luxembourg:,... Country with an economy dominated by agriculture … Luxembourg nationals reported speaking an average of luxembourg language percentage! Guests make up 40 % of the High German languages University in the Grand Duchy ’ s population Luxembourgish. Luxembourgish language exists in several dialects whose characteristics are defined by the European Commission large banking. In Luxembourg ( enseignement fondamental ) is a cosmopolitan country and foreign-born workers tourists., therefore, Luxembourgers speak Luxembourgish for large private banking, and Politics being...