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Knowledge of the Basque language keeps on increasing but usage at home has dropped.
The population regarded as proficient in the language has increased 14.5 with respect to 1981. 'Euskaldunak' (People considered Basque speakers) are now 749.182*, which means 318.000 more than in 1981. This means that 36.4% of the total Basque population speak Basque, while 44% of the Basque population older than 5 admits they don't know the language.
But while the knowledge has increased during these years, the survey has detected a slight decrease in the average use at home or in personal relationships, going down from 21.8% to 20.8%.
71.1% of Basques admit using Spanish at home.
The survey also shows a decrease of the use of Basque at home among the so-called 'euskaldun zaharrak' (old/traditional speakers) while the 'euskaldun berriak' (new speakers) are those who use it more often nowadays at home.
According to the deputy minister for Language Policies of the Basque Government, the fact that 44% of Basques lack any knowledge about the language is a matter of concern. The main challenge, he said, will be to strengthen the use of Basque in the area of personal and family relations.
The section referring to the evolution of the language reveals that more and more young people have Basque, as well as Spanish, as their first native languages.
The 750.000 Basque speakers in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country are 57.8% native bilinguals and 42.2% new speakers.
* The figures for Basque speakers don't include the Basque speakers in Navarre and France (Northern Basque Country).
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