Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest and most densely populated metropolis, attracting a diverse population of people who speak a variety of languages.
Which language is mostly spoken in South Africa?
Johannesburg is a multilingual city with many different languages spoken. In Johannesburg, all 11 of South Africa’s official languages are spoken, with English, Isizulu, Isixhosa, and SeSotho being the most generally spoken.
32% of Johannesburg residents speak Nguni languages at home, 24% speak Sotho languages, 18% speak English, 7% speak Afrikaans and 6% speak Tshivenda.
First language | Population | % |
---|---|---|
Zulu | 178,775 | 19.60 |
Sotho | 41,113 | 4.51 |
Xhosa | 47,714 | 5.23 |
Afrikaans | 110,430 | 12.11 |
Tswana | 37,405 | 4.10 |
Sepedi | 40,562 | 4.45 |
English | 284,094 | 31.14 |
Tsonga | 29,922 | 3.28 |
Swazi | 7,720 | 0.85 |
Venda | 17,603 | 1.93 |
Ndebele | 45,192 | 4.95 |
Other | 68,185 | 7.47 |