Today there are about 40 people worldwide who can communicate (level B1 or higher skills according to Europass) in Livonian, of whom only a half is of Livonian origin and only one is a native speaker. Optimistically judging there are up to 210 A1 and A2 level speakers. In the 21st century, improvement of the economic situation has played a significant role in enabling language acquisition and an increasing number of speakers, and also an active promotion of Livonian language and culture, which has initiated acquisition of Livonian in Latvia and abroad, however mainly by people who are not of Livonian origin.During the last decades it was possible to acquire Livonian facultatively in especially organised language courses as well as in summer camps; however the language teaching process and outcome have encountered certain difficulties. These are greatly connected with the irregularity of the teaching process, which is due to insufficient available financing, and also lack of qualified lecturers and adequate, systematic teaching programmes. Despite the complicated situation in facultative language acquisition, an active acquisition of Livonian has been systematically taking place in higher education institutions, which have also actively participated in research into Livonian and publishing Livonian materials, including materials for language studies. Thanks to active Livonian language and culture promotion within the last decade the prestige of Livonian has increased and its usage possibilities have widened. In addition to the formal status of Livonian, which is fixed in legislation, Livonian has also received practical support from the state.