Here is a breakdown of the various countries and regions where Dutch is spoken:
Netherlands: The Netherlands is the country with the largest population of Dutch speakers, with approximately 17 million speakers. It is the official language of the country, and is spoken by the majority of the population.
Belgium: Dutch is one of the three official languages of Belgium, along with French and German. It is spoken by about 60% of the population, primarily in the northern part of the country, which is known as Flanders.
Suriname: Suriname is a South American country that was formerly a Dutch colony. As a result, Dutch is the official language of the country and is spoken by the majority of the population.
Indonesia: Although Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands in 1949, Dutch still has an influence in the country due to its colonial past. It is not widely spoken, but it is still used in certain contexts, such as in academia, government, and law.
In addition to these primary areas, Dutch is also spoken by communities in other countries and regions, including:
- Aruba and Curacao: These Caribbean islands, which are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have Dutch as their official language.
- South Africa: There is a significant Afrikaans-speaking population in South Africa, which is a derivative of Dutch.
- Namibia: Dutch is spoken by a small minority in Namibia, which was once a German colony and later administered by South Africa.
- Germany: There is a small Dutch-speaking community in the western part of Germany, near the border with the Netherlands.
Overall, Dutch is primarily spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, with smaller populations of speakers in various other countries and regions around the world.