2001 Census data released today (30 June) show that the position of the Welsh language – and of Wales – has changed considerably since the last Census in 1991.

"These latest figures show that every area in Wales has taken ownership of the language," said Welsh Language Board Chair, Rhodri Williams. "Welsh is no longer the language of one part of Wales, but a language spoken by at least 10% of the population in 80% of enumeration wards in Wales."

The main change in the position of the language over the past decade has been the increase in south east Wales. This was demonstrated earlier this year when figures were released showing numbers of Welsh speakers by county, with 10.7% of the population of Torfaen, 9% of the population of Blaenau Gwent and 9.5% of the population of Newport able to speak the language. The figures released today show that 60% of Torfaen's enumeration wards have more than 10% speaking Welsh in them.

While there was an increase in the less traditionally Welsh speaking areas, the position of Welsh in the more rural areas has also altered. According to Rhodri Williams:

"The percentage of Welsh speakers in some wards in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion has fallen since the 1991 Census. As expected this has happened mainly in the rural areas. There have been great changes in these areas over the past decade and the linguistic element is only one factor in this change. But having said that, there is hope for the future here as well. The Board and several of our partners are active in these areas, and many groundbreaking projects are already bearing fruit in communities such as Ammanford in eastern Carmarthenshire.

"I believe that the most important message contained in the figures released today is the fact that there are more areas in Wales where more than 10% of the population speaks Welsh. Concern for the language is not something which is geographically confined. The increase is a sign that ownership of the language is extending with the result that many more communities throughout Wales have a part to play in the language's future. This is something that we can really be proud of," added Mr Williams.