Map Facts

The total number of Sámi people can only be estimated as none of the Nordic Countries publish statistics in relation to ethnicity. Other potential sources relating for instance to language or to the voting lists for Sámi parliaments are not comprehensive. Generally it is estimated that there are some 40 000 Sámi in Norway, 15 000 – 25 000 in Sweden, 10 000 in Finland and 2 000 in Russia. The total Sámi population is estimated to be between 65 000 and 100 000 persons. There are ten Sámi languages. Map shows the traditional catchment areas of the various Sámi languages. The current language situation, defined by national law, is also included. Estimates of the number of Sámi people by language are further divided by language skills.

Map ID: 10133

The map in Finnish

The map in Norwegian

The map in Saami

Designer/Cartographer
Johanna Roto

Data source
Sámi language law (Situation as 2014): FI – Saamen kielilaki 1086/2003; NO – Forskrift om forvaltningsområdet for samisk språk FOR-2012-10-12-964; SE – Lag om nationella minoriteter och minoritetsspråk (SFS 2009:724).

Published 24 February 2015

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Sámi languages and dialects

February, 2015

The map shows the traditional catchment areas of the various Sámi languages and the current language situation

Related Staff

Johanna Roto
GIS/Cartography Coordinator

Sámi languages and dialects

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