Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan: Census 2023

Punjabi remains the most widely spoken language in Pakistan, according to the latest Census 2023 results published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The census reveals that 36.98% of the population uses Punjabi for communication, solidifying its position as the dominant language.

Pashto ranks as the second most spoken language, with Sindhi taking third place. Urdu, spoken by 9.25% of the population, shows an increase from 7.08% in 2017. Sindh houses the highest proportion of Urdu speakers (22.30%), followed by Islamabad, where 15.72% of the population uses it as their primary language.

The census also highlights regional linguistic trends. In Punjab, 67% of residents speak Punjabi, while Pashto dominates Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spoken by 81% of the population. Sindhi is the primary language in Sindh, used by 60% of the population, and in Balochistan, Balochi leads with 39.91%, followed by Pashto at 34.30%.

Islamabad showcases linguistic diversity, with a mix of Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto commonly spoken.