Between the 2016 and 2021 ABS census we have seen a very large increase in multicultural immigration in Australia. This has led to over 23,000 people in Northern Territory (NT) speaking a top 10 language other than English. The largest increases have come from Nepali and Indian language speakers increasing by 61% and 72% respectively. The most frequently spoken languages are Filipino, Greek and Chinese Languages.
Source: ABS Census 2021
| RANK | LANGUAGE | 2021 | % CHANGE FROM 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filipino | 5,148 | 41% |
| 2 | Greek | 3,258 | 11% |
| 3 | Chinese languages | 3,329 | 18% |
| 4 | Nepali | 3,099 | 61% |
| 5 | Indian Languages | 2,532 | 72% |
| 6 | Malayalam | 1,601 | 21% |
| 7 | Vietnamese | 1,565 | 44% |
| 8 | Indonesian | 1,295 | 26% |
| 9 | Thai | 1,034 | 31% |
| 10 | Sinhalese | 989 | 47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most spoken languages in the Northern Territory (NT) aside from English?
The top 10 languages spoken at home in the NT (other than English) are: Filipino, Greek, Chinese languages, Nepali, Indian languages, Malayalam, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and Sinhalese.
How many people in the NT speak one of these top 10 languages?
Over 23,000 residents of the Northern Territory speak one of the top 10 languages other than English at home, reflecting growing multicultural diversity in the region.
Which language groups in the NT have experienced the fastest recent growth?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Nepali and Indian language speakers saw some of the largest increases, with growth rates around 61% and 72% respectively.
Why is this language data valuable for multicultural advertising?
Knowing the languages people speak at home helps advertisers choose the right ethnic media outlets and messaging strategies. It enables targeted campaigns that resonate with specific cultural communities across the NT. (General insight based on how language data informs media planning)
Do Indigenous languages count in this list?
The Leba list focuses on non-English, non-Indigenous languages spoken at home according to ABS census data. That means widely spoken traditional Indigenous languages which remain significant in much of the NT, are not reflected in this “top 10” list but are still culturally and linguistically important in the region.