Islamabad, May 18, 2023 (PPI-OT): According to a survey conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, 36% Pakistanis primarily speak Punjabi at home, 23% speak Urdu, 16% speak Pashto.
According to Census 2017: Punjabi is the predominant mother tongue spoken by 38.78% of the total population followed by Pushto 18.24% and Sindhi 14.57%. The share of other languages spoken in Pakistan are: Siraiki 12.19%, Urdu 7.08%, Balochi 3.02%, Hindko 2.44%, Brahvi 1.24%, Kashmiri 0.17% and others 2.26%.
Comparison between findings of this poll and census results show that large number of Pakistanis now speak Urdu at home despite Urdu not being their mother tongue. Urdu is mother tongue of 7% Pakistanis but 23% say they speak it at home.
A nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the country, was asked the question “Please tell us in which language do you usually read and write?” In response, 36% said Punjabi, 23% said Urdu, 16% said Pashto, 8% said Saraiki, 7% said Sindhi, 4% said Hindko, 2% said Balochi and 4% said others.
Question: “Please tell us which language do you primarily speak at home?”
For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Gallup Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8445080
Email: isb@gallup.com.pk, caf@gallup.com.pk
Website: www.gallup.com.pk