Languages of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a linguistically diverse nation with upwards of 40 distinct languages spoken. Dari and Pashto serve as the two main official languages. Dari historically served as the lingua franca between different ethnic groups, particularly in the north and west and many big cities, while Pashto is the dominant language in the south and east.

Dari is spoken by over 75% of the population in Afghanistan, followed by Pashto 48%, Uzbek 11%, English 6%, Turkmen 3%, Urdu 3%, Pashayi 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, and Balochi 1% (2020 est). Data represents the most widely-spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language. The Turkic languages, Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them.

Both Farsi (Persian) and Pashto are Indo-European languages from the Iranian languages sub-family. Other regional languages, such as Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi, and Nuristani are spoken by minority groups across the country.

Minor languages include: Ashkunu, Kamkata-viri, Wasi-wari, Tregami, Kalasha-ala, Pamiri (Shughni, Munji, Ishkashimi and Wakhi), Brahui, Arabic, Pashai, Kyrgyz, and Punjabi. Linguist Harald Haarmann believes that Afghanistan is home to more than 40 minor languages, with around 200 different dialects.