Full list of Europe's 52 'severely endangered' languages - one has just 20 speakers

Europe is a big continent with hundreds if not thousands of languages. (Image: Getty)

Europe is an incredibly diverse continent, stretching from the shores of the Faroe Islands and Iceland to countries like Azerbaijan, which lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia. As a result, the entire region is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of unique languages.

But many of these languages are at risk. According to UNESCO, 52 languages across Europe are now classed as "severely endangered," meaning they are only spoken by older generations and are in danger of disappearing entirely. One of the most threatened is Budukh, spoken by just 200 people in a village in northeastern Azerbaijan.

One of the most threatened is Budukh, spoken by just 200 people in Azerbaijan. (Image: Getty)

The language has no written form, and many speakers now use Azerbaijani or Russian in daily life, putting Budukh at even greater risk.

The list includes languages from almost every corner of the continent.

In the UK, Guernésiais and Jèrriais, the traditional languages of Guernsey and Jersey, are both fading fast.

In France, languages like Breton, Picard, and Provençal are all under threat as younger people switch to French.

In the UK, Guernésiais and Jèrriais are both fading fast. (Image: Getty)

In Scandinavia, several forms of the Sámi language are on the brink. Southern Sámi, spoken in parts of Norway and Sweden, has around 600 speakers. Skolt Sámi, found in Finland, has about 300.

Both are protected through local education and cultural programmes, but the number of speakers is still falling.

Other examples include Wymysorys, spoken by fewer than 20 people in Poland, and Karaim in Lithuania, which has only around 80 speakers. Both are now considered critically endangered.

UNESCO and other organisations are working to save many of these languages. Some are being recorded, added to apps, or taught in schools, while others are being kept alive through festivals, songs, and storytelling. But experts warn that time is running out.

In Scandinavia, several forms of the Sámi language are on the brink. (Image: Getty)

Languages often die out when younger generations stop learning them.

In many cases, people switch to the dominant national language, like Russian, French, or English, for work, education, or everyday life.

Over time, fewer children speak the older language at home, and eventually, it vanishes.

Wymysorys, a rare language in Poland, is spoken by fewer than 20 people. (Image: Getty)

1. Wymysorys (Poland) – Fewer than 20 speakers
2. Guernésiais (Guernsey) – Approximately 200 speakers
3. Budukh (Azerbaijan) – Approximately 200 speakers
4. Skolt Sámi (Finland, Russia) – Approximately 300 speakers
5. Southern Sámi (Norway, Sweden) – Approximately 500 speakers
6. Jèrriais (Jersey) – Approximately 1,900 speakers
7. Karaim (Lithuania) – Approximately 80 speakers
8. Khinalug (Azerbaijan) – Approximately 1,500 speakers
9. Udi (Azerbaijan, Georgia) – Approximately 3,700 speakers
10. Tat (Azerbaijan) – Approximately 15,000 speakers
11. Crimean Turkish (Ukraine) – Approximately 30,000 speakers
12. Cornish (United Kingdom) – Approximately 3,000 speakers
13. Manx (Isle of Man) – Approximately 1,800 speakers
14. Breton (France) – Approximately 200,000 speakers
15. Picard (France, Belgium) – Approximately 700,000 speakers
16. Provençal (France) – Approximately 200,000 speakers
17. Arbanasi (Croatia) – Approximately 5,000 speakers
18. Arvanitika (Greece) – Approximately 50,000 speakers
19. Auvergnat (France) – Approximately 1,000,000 speakers
20. Bats (Georgia) – Approximately 3,000 speakers
21. Bohtan Neo-Aramaic (Georgia) – Approximately 5,000 speakers
22. Burgundian (France) – Approximately 50,000 speakers
23. Champenois (France, Belgium) – Approximately 20,000 speakers
24. Cimbrian (Italy) – Approximately 2,000 speakers
25. Cypriot Arabic (Cyprus) – Approximately 6,000 speakers
26. Faetar (Italy) – Approximately 1,400 speakers
27. Frainc-Comtou (France, Switzerland) – Approximately 20,000 speakers
28. Gallo (France) – Approximately 28,000 speakers
29. Gardiol (Italy) – Approximately 1,000 speakers
30. Homshetsma (Georgia) – Approximately 1,000 speakers
31. Istriot (Croatia) – Approximately 400 speakers
32. Istro-Romanian (Croatia) – Approximately 500 speakers
33. Judezmo (Judaeo-Spanish) (Various) – Approximately 100,000 speakers
34. Kashubian (Poland) – Approximately 100,000 speakers
35. Kryts (Azerbaijan) – Approximately 5,000 speakers
36. Languedocien (France) – Approximately 1,500,000 speakers
37. Limousin (France) – Approximately 500,000 speakers
38. Lorrain (France, Belgium) – Approximately 50,000 speakers
39. Lule Sámi (Norway, Sweden) – Approximately 650 speakers
40. Mariupolitan Greek (Ukraine) – Approximately 20,000 speakers
41. Megleno-Romanian (Greece, North Macedonia) – Approximately 5,000 speakers
42. Molise Croatian (Italy) – Approximately 1,000 speakers
43. Norman (France) – Approximately 30,000 speakers
44. North Frisian (Germany) – Approximately 10,000 speakers
45. Poitevin-Saintongeais (France) – Approximately 200,000 speakers
46. Resian (Italy) – Approximately 1,000 speakers
47. Saterland Frisian (Germany) – Approximately 2,000 speakers
48. Swabian German (Germany) – Approximately 820,000 speakers
49. Swiss German (Switzerland) – Approximately 4,000,000 speakers
50. Töitschu (Italy) – Approximately 1,000 speakers
51. Transylvanian Saxon (Romania) – Approximately 15,000 speakers
52. Turoyo (Turkey, Syria) – Approximately 250,000