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Which countries have large populations of Tai language speakers?
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Tai languages
Major divisions of the Tai languages and related languages.
The Tai languages are primarily spoken across Southeast Asia and parts of southern China and India. While estimates vary significantly, the total population of Tai speakers is approximately 80 million, with the largest concentrations found in the following countries:
- Thailand: Home to the largest population, with an estimated 55 million speakers.1
- China: Supports a significant population of about 18 million speakers, particularly in regions such as Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou.12
- Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar: Collectively account for approximately 7 million speakers. In Myanmar, the Shan language is a prominent member of the Southwestern Tai group.134
Additionally, Tai languages are spoken in northeastern India, specifically in the state of Assam, though the Ahom language there is now extinct. These figures serve as rough indications due to the tremendous variation in demographic estimates.1