The Welsh language is facing a concerning decline in Wales, according to the Annual Population Survey. But wait, there's a twist in this linguistic tale.
The latest data reveals a drop in Welsh speakers, with an estimated 828,500 individuals speaking the language in the year ending September 2025. This marks a decrease compared to previous years, despite a general upward trend since 2010. But here's where it gets intriguing: the survey also shows a steady increase in Welsh speakers between 2007 and 2023, with a slight dip around 2018-2019.
The survey, published on January 21, 2026, covers the period from October 2024 to September 2025 and provides insights into people's Welsh language abilities and usage. The data collection method evolved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning from face-to-face interviews to phone conversations and then back to in-person discussions in autumn 2023.
A closer look at the numbers:
- Regional Variations: Gwynedd and Cardiff lead the way with the highest estimated number of Welsh speakers, while Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil have the lowest.
- Age-Related Trends: Interestingly, children and young people aged 3 to 15 are more likely to speak Welsh (46.5%) than other age groups, but this percentage has been decreasing since 2019.
- Usage Frequency: Approximately 14% of people aged three and above speak Welsh daily, while 4.9% do so weekly, and 6.6% less often. Notably, 1.3% never speak Welsh despite knowing the language.
The Welsh Government is taking action to reverse this trend, aiming for a million Welsh speakers by 2050. They are implementing various initiatives, including the Welsh Language and Education Act and free Welsh lessons for young adults. However, the Office for Statistics Regulation has temporarily removed the accreditation of these statistics due to a reduced sample size, adding a layer of uncertainty to the data.
So, what does this mean for the future of the Welsh language? Is the government's target achievable? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's spark a conversation about language preservation and cultural heritage.
