List of endangered languages of Oceania


This is a list of endangered languages of Oceania, based on the definitions used by UNESCO.
An endangered language is a language that it is at risk of falling out of use because there is little transmission of the language to younger generations. If a language loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language.

[Australia]

According to the 2016 census, English is the only language spoken in the home for close to 72.7% of the population. The next most common languages spoken at home are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Italian. A considerable proportion of first- and second-generation migrants are bilingual.

[Federated [States of Micronesia]]

LanguageSpeakersStatusCommentsRef
Kapingamarangi language~3,000Severely endangered
Kosraean language~7,720Severely endangeredMicronesia & Nauru
Mokilese language~1,500Critically endangered
Mortlockese language, Mortlockese~5,900Definitely endangered
Namonuito language, Namonuito Severely endangered
Ngatikese Men's Creole language, Ngatikese Men's Creole Definitely endangered
Nukuoro language, Nukuoro~1,540Definitely endangered
Nguluwan language
Paafang language, Paafang, Pááfang~1,300Severely endangered
Pingelapese language, Pingelapese~4,500Severely endangered
Puluwat language, Puluwat, Puluwatese~1,500Severely endangered
Satawal language, Satawal Severely endangered
Ulithian language, Ulithian Severely endangered
Woleaian language, Woleaian Severely endangered

[Indonesia]

The UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger lists 88 endangered languages in Indonesia.

[Melanesia]

[New Caledonia]

The following languages of New Caledonia may be considered endangered.
LanguageSpeakersStatusCommentsRef
Arha language35Critically endangeredArhâ language
Arho language 10Critically endangered
Caac language ~1,200Vulnerable
Drubea language Vulnerable
Fagauvea language Vulnerable
Fagauvea language Vulnerable
Fwâi language Vulnerable
Jawe language Vulnerable
Kumak language Vulnerable
Neku language Severely endangered
Nemi language Definitely endangered
Orowe language Definitely endangered
Pije language Severely endangered
Pwaamèi language Definitely endangered
Pwapwa language Severely endangered
Tiri language Definitely endangered
Voh-Koné dialects Definitely endangered
Xaragure language Vulnerable

[Vanuatu]

LanguageSpeakersStatusCommentsRef
Amblong language Definitely endangered
Araki language Critically endangered
Aveteian language Critically endangered
Baki language Vulnerable
Bangsa language Critically endangered
Bierebo language Vulnerable
Bieria language Critically endangered
Dorig language Definitely endangered
Emae language Vulnerable
Hiw language280Definitely endangered
Koro language 250Definitely endangered
Labo language Vulnerable
Lakon language800Vulnerable
Lehali language200Vulnerable
Lemerig language2Critically endangered
Lorediakarkar language Critically endangered
Löyöp language240VulnerableLehalurup
Mafea language Definitely endangered
Malmariv language Vulnerable
Matanvat language Critically endangered
Mores language Severely endangered
Mwesen language Critically endangered
Naati language Critically endangered
Naman language Critically endangered
Nasarian language5Critically endangered
Navwien language Critically endangered
Nisvai language Critically endangered
Nivat language Critically endangered
Niviar language Critically endangered
Olrat language0Critically endangered3 speakers in 2003; extinct in 2009.
Polonomombauk language Definitely endangered
Repanbitip language Definitely endangered
Shark Bay language Vulnerable
Ske language Severely endangered
Sorsorian language Critically endangered
Tambotalo language50Severely endangered
Tape language Critically endangered
Tolomako language Definitely endangered
Tutuba language Definitely endangered
Umbrul language Critically endangered
Ura language6Critically endangered
Vera'a language Definitely endangered
Volow language Critically endangered

[Polynesia]

The following Polynesian languages considered endangered are mostly Polynesian outliers spoken by tiny minorities.
LanguageSpeakersStatusEthnologue entry
Rapa language -
Rapa Nui language -
Niuafo'ou language -
Nukumanu language -
Nukuria language -
Ontong Java language -
Sikaiana language -
Takuu language -
Tuvaluan language -
Anuta language -
Futunan language -
Futuna-Aniwa language -
Mele-Fila language -
Rennell-Bellona language -
Tikopia language -
Vaeakau-Taumako language -
Pukapuka language -
Penrhyn language -
Tokelauan language -