Languages of Niger
Niger has 11 official languages, with French being the official language and Hausa the most spoken language. Depending on how they are counted, Niger has between 8 and 20 indigenous languages. The discrepancy comes from the fact that several are closely related, and can be grouped together or considered apart.
Official Languages
, inherited from the colonial period, is the official language. It is spoken mainly as a second language by people who have received an education. Although educated Nigeriens still constitute a relatively small percentage of the population, the French language is the language used by the official administration, the media and the business community. See also: African FrenchNiger has ten official national languages, namely Arabic, Buduma, Fulfulde, Gourmanchéma, Hausa, Kanuri, Zarma & Songhai, Tamasheq, Tassawaq, Tebu. These ten national languages, their language families, the approximate percentage of the population that speak them, their approximate home regions, and additional information are as follows:
| Language | Family | Approx % | Main region | Notes |
| Hausa | Afro-Asiatic / Chadic | 55.4% | South, central | Main trade language |
| Songhai | Songhay languages | 21% | Southwest | Zarma and "Kaado" Songhay are considered together |
| Tamasheq | Afro-Asiatic / Berber | 9.3% | North | |
| Fulfulde | Niger–Congo / Atlantic | 8.5% | All | Fulfulde of Western Niger & Central-Eastern Niger are considered together |
| Kanuri | Nilo-Saharan | 4.7% | Southeast | |
| Arabic | Afro-Asiatic / Semitic | 0.4% | Southeast | Particularly spoken by the Diffa Arabs mainly in the Diffa Region |
| Gourmanchéma | Niger–Congo / Gur | 0.4% | Southwest corner | Spoken mainly by the Gurma people of southwest Niger |
| Tebu | Nilo-Saharan | 0.4% | East | Spoken mainly by the Toubou people of Eastern Niger |
| Other | N/A | 0.1% | Throughout | Any other languages |