Which Countries Speak Dutch, and Why?

Dutch isn’t just the language of the Netherlands. It’s spoken in several countries worldwide due to historical factors and colonial adventures. If you’re an English-speaking expat in the Netherlands, you might be pleasantly surprised to discover how far your Dutch skills can take you. In this post, we’ll explore countries that officially speak Dutch or use it widely, along with the historical reasons behind its global presence. We’ll keep things practical, engaging, and jargon-free. Let’s dive in!

The Netherlands: The Heart of Dutch

It’s no surprise that the Netherlands is the primary home of the Dutch language. Approximately 17 million people here speak Dutch as their native language (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). Dutch, or Nederlands, is used in government, schools, media, and everyday life.

Interestingly, Dutch is sometimes casually called Hollands, referring to the Holland region that heavily influenced the standard language (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). While some regional languages like Frisian exist, Dutch remains dominant. So, if you’re ordering bitterballen in Amsterdam or asking directions in a Dutch village, Dutch is your language of choice.

Historically, Dutch evolved from local Germanic dialects over centuries. So, it’s no surprise the Dutch speak Dutch simply because it’s their heritage. For expats, learning Dutch makes daily life much easier—check out our Dutch courses for a fun start.

Belgium (Flanders): The Flemish Twist

Just south of the Netherlands lies Belgium, home to millions of Dutch speakers. Here, Dutch is often referred to as Flemish (Vlaams). Flemish is the official language in Belgium’s northern region, Flanders, and the native language for most residents (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025).

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German, reflecting its cultural diversity (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). If you visit cities like Antwerp or Bruges, you’ll hear essentially the same language as in Amsterdam. However, Flemish comes with a distinct accent and unique vocabulary. Think of it like comparing American English and British English—largely similar, with some entertaining differences.

Historically, Belgium and the Netherlands were once united as the Low Countries. When Belgium became independent in 1830, the northern region, Flanders, continued speaking Dutch, as it had done for centuries. Initially, French dominated Belgian politics, but the Flemish fought for language equality, resulting in Dutch achieving official status (Kojima, 2024). Today, your Dutch skills will come in handy when making friends in Ghent or deciphering a Belgian beer menu.

Suriname: Dutch in the Tropics

Suriname, a small South American country north of Brazil, is an unexpected Dutch-speaking nation. Dutch is its sole official language, making it unique in the Americas (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). About 60% of Surinamese people speak Dutch as their first language, while others speak it as a second language (Central Intelligence Agency, 2013).

In Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, Dutch dominates street signs, markets, and official communication. This widespread use of Dutch originates from its colonial history. The Dutch colonized Suriname in the 17th century and governed it for centuries (Kojima, 2024). Even after independence in 1975, Suriname retained Dutch as its official language, serving as a unifying force for its ethnically diverse population (Smith, 2012).

Many Surinamese also speak Sranan Tongo, a local creole language, in informal settings. Yet, Dutch remains crucial for government and education. So, don’t be surprised to hear greetings like “Hoe gaat het?” (How are you?) echoing through tropical streets.

The Dutch Caribbean: Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten

Several Caribbean islands speak Dutch due to historical ties. Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, all part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, officially use Dutch.

Aruba

Aruba officially recognizes Dutch and Papiamento, a local creole. While government and education use Dutch, locals commonly speak Papiamento (Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal, 2014). Tourists often communicate in English or Spanish, but Dutch remains significant due to Aruba’s connection with the Netherlands.

Curaçao

Curaçao officially speaks Dutch, Papiamentu, and English (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). Dutch dominates official contexts like education and legal matters, though Papiamentu is the daily conversational language. This multilingual blend comes from Dutch colonization in the 1630s (Kojima, 2024).

Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten shares its island with French-speaking Saint-Martin. Dutch and English are official languages here, though English often feels more common in daily life. Official documents and street signs remain Dutch, tracing back to 17th-century Dutch colonialism.

The Caribbean islands maintain Dutch due to ongoing ties with the Netherlands. While culturally diverse, these islands rely on Dutch for official purposes, creating an interesting mix of languages. For Dutch learners, practicing the language here means navigating administrative life and enjoying multilingual interactions.

Smaller Dutch-speaking Communities

Dutch also appears in smaller communities worldwide. The Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius are special municipalities of the Netherlands, officially using Dutch (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). In northern France around Dunkirk, a small group historically speaks a Dutch dialect, reflecting past Flanders influences (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025).

In South Africa and Namibia, people speak Afrikaans, a language closely related to Dutch and mutually intelligible to a large extent (Russell, 2015). Afrikaans originated from Dutch, once South Africa’s official language until 1925 (Van der Wouden, 2012).

Additionally, Dutch-speaking emigrant communities exist in countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia, due to 20th-century migrations (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2025). Clearly, Dutch has traveled extensively!

Conclusion: Expand Your World by Learning Dutch

From Amsterdam’s canals and Belgian cafés to Suriname’s tropical towns and Caribbean beaches, Dutch spans continents. This widespread presence is largely due to historical colonization and trade. For expats in the Netherlands, learning Dutch opens doors to numerous cultures worldwide.

Ready to explore the Dutch-speaking world further? Join DutchFluency and boost your Dutch skills. Visit our courses and resources tailored for busy adults and expats. Whether planning trips to Rotterdam, Paramaribo, or Aruba, DutchFluency is here to help. Start your Dutch adventure today—tot ziens!

References

Central Intelligence Agency. (2013). The World Factbook: Suriname. Washington, DC: CIA.

Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal. (2014). Language in Aruba’s Legal and Administrative Matters. Retrieved from DutchCaribbeanLegalPortal.com (archived).

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025). Dutch language – Geographic distribution. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dutch-language

Kojima, M. (2024). Among Independence, Sovereignty and Autonomy: The Dutch Caribbean. Études caribéennes, 57–58. https://doi.org/10.4000/etudescaribeennes.30722

Russell, M. (2015). Afrikaans and Dutch: A Comparison. Journal of Germanic Linguistics, 27(3), 233–256.

Smith, J. M. (2012). Suriname’s Dutch: The Language of a Multicultural Nation. Languages of the World Journal, 8(2), 45–53.

Van der Wouden, T. (2012). Roots of Afrikaans: Selected Writings of Hans den Besten. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.