How many countries have German as their sole official language?

As of 2017, this question doesn't have a complex answer. German is the sole official language in three countries. They are Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. German is a co-official language in three countries: Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

It is also used as the co-official language of the European Union (EU), which is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Additionally, it is interesting to note that several other countries, including Denmark, Hungary, Italy, and Poland, have German as a national minority language.

Viewing its origin, it has been stated by experts that German belongs to the West Germanic group in the Indo-European language family, along with English, Frisian, and Dutch (Netherlandic, Flemish).

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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31 Comments

Claudia Heilke

Dan Green, chill out and re-read the question! It has to be the SOLE official language. Switzerland has FOUR official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Luxembourg has THREE: German, French and Luxembourgish.

Albeck1994

Judy Muhlethaler, a principality is still a country that just defines its rule. Ie kingdom republic principality

WomanofSubstance

Dan Green, are you going to start world war111 over this? Sounds like you've got German blood in you about to boil over!

Charles Borg

Many sites say 6 is the correct answer. The six countries that have German as their official language, in alphabetical order, are: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Over 78% of the world’s total German speakers live in Germany. Over 8% live in Austria, more than 5% reside in Austria, less than 1% live in Italy, and more than 7% live in other countries.

Steve Edwards

The EU now has only 27 states since the UK left.

Myrna Cooksey-Watson

Claudia Heilke, my Swiss friends speak what they call Swiss-German.

Jas Newman

James Webb, After four generations since German control of Namibia, English has replaced German as the national language. But, even if that weren't the case, Oshiwambo would still outrank German as the most common language of Namibia.

Helga U. Williams

As a born German, I knew this answer! SOLE wa's the key here!!! 😊

Dennis Walker

He he, I knew this answer would elicit several responses… easy to understand if you ignore the word SOLE

Pixie Dillon Chatterton

Where did you get just 3. I counted 6 and a small portion of Italy speaks German

Mark O'Dwyer

good question? Missed the word "SOLE" in front of official language and hence got the question wrong. A re-read of the question and I identified my mistake.

Chris Braid

Went 50/50 and guessed right.😁

Karin Johansson

Janice Fish, No

Karin Johansson

Sorry it Said soil. Then it is correct.

Howard Groopman

Actually thought of those 3 countries then called it quits and guessed 3. Knew Switzerland has multiple languages, wasn't sure about Luxembourg, but would have guessed 4 if that had been an option.