Number of Brazil’s indigenous language speakers rise 50% in 12 years
Brazil has more speakers of indigenous languages than it did in 2010. According to the 2022 census on indigenous ethnic groups and languages, released by the statistics bureau IBGE, the number of speakers of indigenous tongues rose 47.7 percent 2010 through 2022, going from 293,853 to 433,980 indigenous people aged five or older.
A surge was also observed in the amount of speakers outside indigenous lands, which more than doubled in 12 years – from 44,590 to 96,685 speakers, an expansion of 52,095 individuals.
Considering speakers aged two and older, the total number of speakers in 2022 increased even further, to 474,856. This figure was not measured in 2010. Most of these people live on indigenous lands – 78.34 percent.
The 2022 census identified 295 indigenous languages spoken, a number also higher than the 274 counted in 2010. Languages used for communication in households were also considered.
The highest concentrations of speakers are located in the states of Amazonas (137,421 people), Mato Grosso do Sul (58,901), and Mato Grosso (42,511). In total, across 1,990 municipalities, at least one indigenous person aged two years or older speaks an indigenous tongue.
Mapping
Fernando Damasco, IBGE’s manager for traditional territories and protected areas, said that locating these speakers is key for local governments to develop public policies that recognize these languages and provide their speakers with more opportunities.
“The official recognition of the languages spoken by indigenous people contributes decisively to their access to rights as citizens, as it facilitates the translation of formal documents and enables the presence of interpreters in public agencies,” he pointed out.
Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, is reported to be the municipality with the highest number of declared indigenous languages, 99; followed by São Paulo, with 78 declared indigenous languages; and Brasília, with 61 declared indigenous languages. Outside the capitals, the highlights are São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in Amazonas, with 68 indigenous languages; Altamira, in Pará, with 33; and Iranduba, also in Amazonas, with 31.
As for the languages themselves, Tikuna had the highest number of indigenous speakers, with 51,978 people, 87.69 percent of whom live within indigenous territories, followed by Guarani Kaiowá, with 38,658, most of whom living in indigenous territories, 81.83 percent; and Guajajara, with 29,212, most of living in indigenous territories, 90.43 percent. Nheengatu is the most widely spoken indigenous language in urban areas, with 13,070 speakers, 41.94 percent of them reside in cities.
Percentage drops
Despite the growth in absolute numbers, the proportion of indigenous language speakers declined in the 12 years surveyed compared to the total indigenous population in Brazil. In 2022, indigenous language speakers were 28.51 percent of the indigenous population, which is around 1.7 million. In 2010, speakers of indigenous languages represented 37.35 percent of the total population, which was around 897 thousand.
Outside indigenous lands, the number of speakers more than doubled – from 44,590 to 96,685 speakers, up 52,095 individuals. However, in percentage terms, it fell from 12.67 to 9.78 percent of the total indigenous population.
In indigenous territories, however, the scenario is reversed. The percentage increased. Indigenous language speakers rose from 57.35 percent in 2010 to 63.22 percent in 2022.
