Languages spoken in Liechtenstein
Europe · Capital: Vaduz · Population 40,272
The official language of Liechtenstein is German. Swiss German is used as a de facto official language. German is the most widely spoken language, with an estimated 100% of the population speaking it as a first or additional language, or roughly 40,272 people. The only other recorded language is Swiss German, at 85% of the population. German belongs to the Indo-European language family. German is also spoken in all two of its neighbours. In total, two languages are recorded in Liechtenstein, and their shares add up to 185% of the population, which implies the average resident speaks about 1.9 of them.
What languages are spoken in Liechtenstein?
| Language | Share of population | Status | Estimated speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GermanIndo-European | 100% | Official | 40,272 |
| Swiss German | 85% | De facto official | 34,231 |
Percentages are the share of the population that speaks each language, including as a second language, so they add up to well over 100% in multilingual countries. Speaker counts are estimates derived from the percentage and the country's population, not counted figures.
What is the official language of Liechtenstein?
The official language of Liechtenstein is German. Swiss German is also used as a de facto official language. German is spoken by an estimated 100% of the population, or roughly 40,272 people, counting both first-language and additional speakers. A de facto official language is one used throughout government and public life without being named as official in law.
Official status comes from Unicode CLDR. It distinguishes languages that are official nationwide, those used as de facto official without being named in law, and those official only in particular regions or territories.
How many people speak German in Liechtenstein?
An estimated 100% of Liechtenstein's 40,272 people speak German, which works out at roughly 40,272 speakers. That figure is derived from the population and the reported share, and it counts second-language speakers, so it is an estimate rather than a census count.
Key facts about Liechtenstein
- Capital
- Vaduz
- Population
- 40,272
- Continent
- Europe
- Area
- 160 km²
- Currency
- CHF
- Languages recorded
- 2
- Land borders
- 2
- ISO codes
- LI / LIE / 438
Which countries border Liechtenstein?
Liechtenstein shares a land border with two countries: Austria and Switzerland. German, the most widely spoken language in Liechtenstein, is also spoken in Austria and Switzerland.
Explore more
Language shares, population, and official status: Unicode CLDR. Capital, area, borders, and currency: mledoze/countries (ODbL 1.0). Flag image: flagcdn.com. Speaker counts are estimates derived from population and reported share.