The second-most spoken primary (Belgian) language, used natively by 40% of the population, is French. It is the official language of the French Community (which, like the Flemish Community, is a political entity), the dominant language in Wallonia (having also a small German-speaking Community) as well as the Brussels-Capital Region. Almost all of the inhabitants of the Capital region are able to speak French as either their primary language (50%) or as a lingua franca (45%) as its mentioned in Belgium language map. German is the least prevalent official language in Belgium, spoken natively by less than 1% of the population. The German-speaking Community of Belgium numbers 71,000, residing in an area of Belgium that ceded by the former German Empire as part of the Treaty of Versailles, which concluded World War I. In 1940, Nazi Germany re-annexed the region following its invasion of Belgium during World War II.

 

In addition to the three official languages, other languages have historically been spoken in what is now Belgium, particularly in Wallonia, where French became dominant only relatively recently. Walloon is the historical language of southern Belgium, and most of the areas where French is now spoken were Walloon-speaking. It is also the traditional national language of the Walloons. Another traditional language of the region, Picard as you can see in Belgium language map, was recognized by the government of the French Community in 1990. Most of its speakers live in France, though some are found in western portions of Wallonia. Champenois was also legally recognized in 1990. It is mainly spoken in Champagne, France, though it also has some speakers in Wallonia. Like the other indigenous languages, Lorrain was recognized in 1990. It is mainly spoken in Gaume.