The figure in the 1991 census showed a slight growth in the number of speakers compared with 1981, reversing a pattern of decline which had existed through most of the 20th Century.

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Indeed, over much of the Sahara, rainfall is so slight and irregular as to make any average figure almost meaningless.

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There will be slight moderation after the expiration of the stimulus package, but growing entitlement costs will immediately resume pushing the figure back up.

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