Between the 2016 and 2021 ABS census we have seen a very large increase in multicultural immigration in Australia. This has led to over 29,000 people in Tasmania (TAS) speaking a top 10 language other than English. The largest increases have come from Nepali and Indian language speakers increasing by 77% and 81% respectively. The most frequently spoken languages are Chinese languages, Nepali and Indian languages.
Source: ABS Census 2021
| RANK | LANGUAGE | 2021 | % CHANGE FROM 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese Languages | 9,665 | 66% |
| 2 | Nepali | 7,248 | 77% |
| 3 | Indian | 3,840 | 81% |
| 4 | Spanish | 1,571 | 46% |
| 5 | Urdu | 1,492 | 81% |
| 6 | Vietnamese | 1,467 | 70% |
| 7 | German | 1,446 | -14% |
| 8 | Greek | 1,126 | -8% |
| 9 | Sinhalese | 1,114 | 80% |
| 10 | Arabic | 972 | 5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most spoken languages at home in Tasmania (excluding English)?
The top 10 languages spoken at home in Tasmania besides English are: Chinese languages, Nepali, Indian languages, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese, German, Greek, Sinhalese, and Arabic.
How many Tasmanians speak a top 10 language other than English?
How many Tasmanians speak a top 10 language other than English?
Which language groups in Tasmania have seen the fastest recent growth?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Indian language speakers (+81%), Urdu (+81%), and Nepali (+77%) recorded some of the fastest increases among the top languages.
Why is this data useful for multicultural advertising?
Knowing which languages are commonly spoken helps advertisers target messages more effectively through appropriate ethnic media and tailored language content that resonates with diverse communities.
Does this list include Indigenous Tasmanian languages?
No this ranked list reflects non-English languages spoken at home from ABS census data and does not include Indigenous Tasmanian languages, which have largely been lost or are not captured in this dataset.