Top 30 Most Spoken Languages In The World 2024
Top 30 Most Spoken Languages In The World 2024. Although there are currently more than 7,000 languages, more than half of the world’s population speak 23 of them only. In the past years, there were 40 languages that stood out for their high number of speakers. Knowing the top languages is essential for communication and understanding different cultures. Kamerpower.com
Soon, English may no longer be the lingua franca of the world. And for certain periods of the eras before ours, there were competing superpowers who spread their language far and wide.
Is English still the most spoken language in the world?
English (1.452 billion speakers). If you can read this, we’re willing to bet that you’re one of the 1.452 billion English speakers on the planet. When counting the total number of speakers, English wins the title of the most commonly spoken language in the world.
What is the top most spoken language in the world?
- Russian 258,200,000 Speakers.
- Portuguese 257,700,000 Speakers.
- Urdu 231,300,000 Speakers.
- Indonesian 199,000,000 Speakers.
- German 134,600,000 Speakers.
- Japanese 125,400,000 Speakers.
- Nigerian Pidgin 120,700,000 Speakers.
- English 1,452,000,000 Speakers.
- Mandarin Chinese 1,118,000,000 Speakers.
- Hindi 602,200,000 Speakers.
- Spanish 548,300,000 Speakers.
- French 274,100,000 Speakers.
- Standard Arabic 274,000,000 Speakers.
- Bengali 272,700,000 Speakers.
- Marathi 99,100,000 Speakers.
- Telugu 95,700,000 Speakers.
- Egyptian Spoken Arabic 74,800,000 Speakers.
- Swahili 71,400,00 Speakers.
- Javanese 68,300,000 Speakers.
- Italian 67,900,000 Speakers
- Western Punjabi 66,400,000 Speakers
- Kannada 64,000,000 Speakers.
- Gujarati 62,000,000 Speakers.
- Thai 60,700,000 Speakers.
- Turkish 88,100,000 Speakers.
- Tamil 86,400,000 Speakers.
- Yue Chinese 85,600,000 Speakers.
- Vietnamese 85,300,000 Speakers.
- Tagalog 82,300,000 Speakers.
- Wu Chinese 81,800,000 Speakers.
- Korean 81,700,000 Speakers.
- Iranian Persian (Farsi) 77,400,000 Speakers.
- Hausa 77,100,000 Speakers.
Top Most Spoken Language In The World
1. English (1,452 Billion speakers)
English is the most-spoken language in the world including native and non-native speakers. Like Latin or Greek at the time, English has become the world’s common language. It is the default language in international business, tourism, technology, and much more. A bilingual person who speaks Spanish and English can understand 1 in 3 people who connect to the Internet. They can also access over 60% of everything published on the web.
It is the official language in 40 countries, including Ghana, Guyana, India, The Bahamas, Belgium, Fiji, Ireland, New Zealand.
2. Mandarin Chinese (1.118 billion speakers).
Mandarin Chinese is a truly fascinating language, with a rich history and widespread use across the globe. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Mandarin Chinese boasts over 1 billion speakers worldwide. Despite its popularity, many people find learning Mandarin Chinese to be challenging due to its tonal nature, with four main tones that carry different meanings. However, mastering this language can lead to many opportunities, especially in business and cultural exchanges with China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
3. Modern Standard Arabic (274 million speakers)
Arabic is a large language with many different dialects, and all Arabic speakers grow up speaking a local dialect, like Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic, Mesopotamian Arabic or another local variety. So, how does MSA have so many non-native speakers? That’s because MSA is commonly used in newspapers, TV broadcasts, and movies, but people don’t speak it with each other. It’s an academic language that you’ll find in literature in politics, but not in everyday life.
4. Hindi (602.2 Million Speakers)
Hindi is one of the two official languages of India (the other is English). There are many different dialects of Hindi, but not all dialects can be understood by each other. Interestingly, even though Hindi is an official language in India, not everyone in the country speaks it. There are over 22 languages in India! People speak different variations of Hindi around the world. You can hear Hindi in Fiji (where it’s an official language) and also in some Caribbean countries, like Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Guyana.
5. Bengali (272+ million speakers).
Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and is also spoken in some areas of India and Burma. It may come as a surprise that a language spoken in such a small region appears in a list of the most spoken languages in the world. However, it makes sense when you think about the population density of that region.
6. French (274.1 Million Speakers).
French is not only one of the most spoken languages in the world, it’s also an official language of the UN, EU, and other major international organizations. It’s the official language of 29 countries and territories around the world, including Haiti. The French vocabulary has also had a tremendous impact on other languages around the world, including English. Around 40% of English words have a French origin.
7. Spanish (548+ million speakers)
Most beautiful word in Spanish: “Vivir” which means “to live.” After Mandarin Chinese, Spanish is recognised as the second most popular language in the world. There is a total of over 485 million native speakers and over 550 million speakers of the language. Spanish is the official language in more than 20 countries. It holds the unofficial status as the second language in the US, with approximately 13% of the population speaking Spanish at home.
8. German (135 million speakers)
German, being a West Germanic language, is widely spoken in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is not only the official language of these countries but also holds a significant place in the European Union as the most widely spoken language. Whether it’s literature, music, or science, German plays a vital role in various fields. With its unique grammar and pronunciation. Learning German can be challenging yet rewarding. From business opportunities to higher education, fluency in German can open up a world of possibilities for individuals.
9. Russian (258+ million speakers)
while Russian is the official language of only four countries, it’s widely spoken in 19 countries. Did you know that it’s also the language with the highest number of native speakers in all of Europe?
10. Swahili (also known as Kiswahili) – 200 million speakers.
Swahili, an alternative name for Kiswahili, has gained recognition beyond East Africa, captivating the interest of language enthusiasts and learners worldwide. As a result, it has become one of the most studied African languages globally. Swahili’s influence extends far beyond its geographical origins. Through centuries of trade and cultural exchanges, it has left an indelible mark on various languages, particularly those spoken along the Swahili Coast and the Indian Ocean islands. Swahili words and phrases have also found their way into the English language, enriching vocabulary with terms like “safari,” “simba” (lion), and “hakuna matata” (no worries).
11. Japanese (150 million speakers).
Japanese is not only a language spoken in Japan, but it also has a reputation for having one of the most intricate writing systems worldwide. It employs three unique scripts: kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Kanji uses Chinese characters to represent words, while hiragana and katakana are phonetic scripts used for grammatical purposes. Learning Japanese is an enriching experience that not only allows you to communicate with native speakers but also enables you to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
12. Punjabi (125 million speakers)
Punjabi is a versatile and melodious language, spoken by millions of people in both India and Pakistan. It is the official language of Punjab, one of the most culturally rich states in India. Punjabi is a beautiful language that boasts an intricate script and an extensive vocabulary. Knowing Punjabi can help businesses connect with their target audience on a deeper level.
13. Vietnamese (87 million speakers)
Vietnamese is not only the official language of Vietnam but also one of the most widely spoken languages in Southeast Asia. It is a tonal language with six different tones, making it a challenging language to learn for non-native speakers. Despite this, the popularity of Vietnamese has been on the rise in recent years, with more and more people showing interest in its unique features and rich cultural background.
14. Turkish (85 million speakers)
Turkish is more than just a spoken language; it is a culture that has been shaped by centuries of history. Its unique characteristics, such as vowel harmony and agglutinative grammar, have played a significant role in defining Turkish as one of the most fascinating languages in the world. Moreover, Turkish is not only spoken in Turkey but also in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, making it a language with a significant footprint in the region.
15. Korean (77 million speakers).
The Korean language has become a popular language to learn, not only in Korea but around the world. This fascinating and complex East Asian language is spoken in both North and South Korea and has gained global recognition for its unique writing system that includes both Hangul and Hanja. Korean is known for its grammatical structure which sets it apart from other languages. The language is also known for its Honorifics, which are used to show respect to those of higher status.
16. Urdu (231.3 Million Speakers)
Urdu is an Indo-Iranian language with 230 million speakers. It’s the official language of Pakistan and it’s also recognized as an official regional or secondary language in India, where speakers of both languages can understand one another. Urdu has adopted several words directly from English, including airport, file, science, corrupt, bus, and library.
17. Hausa (70 million speakers)
The language of Hausa is a crucial part of Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, and it has a rich history spanning centuries. As the official language of the northern states, it is spoken by millions of people across Nigeria, as well as in neighboring countries like Niger and Cameroon. Despite being a Chadic language, Hausa has influenced other languages in the region and has itself been influenced by Arabic and other languages.
18. Thai (69 million speakers)
Thai is a fascinating language that has captivated linguists and travelers alike. As the official language of Thailand, it is spoken by millions of people around the world. What sets Thai apart from other languages is its complex tones and unique script. If you’re looking to learn Thai, be prepared for a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey. With its rich cultural heritage and growing global influence, Thai is a language worth mastering.
19. Portuguese (223 million speakers)
Portuguese is much more than just a language, it’s a culture. It is official in 10 countries and spoken by millions of people worldwide, making it one of the most widely-spoken Romance languages. The versatility of Portuguese can be seen in its use as the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other countries.
20. Farsi (Persian) (110 million speakers)
Farsi, also known as Persian, is an Iranian language spoken by over 110 million people. It holds a prominent position in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Farsi has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its elegant poetry, music, and art. It uses the Arabic script but has its unique pronunciation and vocabulary.
21. Nigerian Pidgin (120.7 Million Speakers).
Nigerian Pidgin is a lingua franca, which means that it’s a bridge language. It’s a way for the more than 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria to communicate, but it’s not recognized as an official language in Nigeria. It’s most closely related to English, but different ethnic groups will incorporate words from their native languages, which means it can vary from speaker to speaker.
22. Telugu (95.7 Million Speakers).
Telugu is a language with approximately 96 million speakers in India. It’s an interesting language for a variety of reasons. It has its own script – this helps it be an independent language and there are very few similarities to other languages. The words are also written in syllables rather than letters.
23. Yue Chinese (85.6 Million Speakers)
Yue Chinese is a language with origins from ancient Chinese. It has 85 million speakers primarily in the Guangdong province of China, Taiwan and also in Malaysia. Yue was originally brought to coastal areas of what is now called southern China by traders.
24. Italian (85 million speakers)
Italian is a beautiful language that has captured the hearts of people all over the world. It’s no surprise that it’s known for its musicality, as every word seems to flow effortlessly off the tongue. As the official language of Italy, Switzerland, and Vatican City, Italian plays an essential role in the cultural identity of these countries.
25. Ukrainian (45 million speakers)
Ukrainian is a fascinating language that is spoken by millions of people in Ukraine as their official language. It belongs to the East Slavic language family, which includes other languages such as Russian and Belarusian.
26. Igbo (40 million speakers)
Igbo, one of the most widely spoken languages in Nigeria, is a Niger-Congo language that is officially recognized as the official language of the southeastern states. This language has a rich cultural history and is known for its tonal nature, which makes it unique among other African languages.
27. Polish (46 million speakers – Official in Poland)
Polish is not just any language, it is a highly complex and intricate language that has been captivating linguistics experts for years. It is the official language of Poland and is also spoken by millions of people across the globe. Polish has gained significance over the years because of its unique beauty and complexity.
28. Azerbaijani (40 million speakers)
Azerbaijani is a fascinating language with a long and rich history. As the official language of Azerbaijan, it is spoken by millions of people around the world. Its unique grammar and syntax make it a challenging language to learn, but also one that is highly rewarding for those who take the time to master it. Whether you are interested in learning Azerbaijani for business or personal reasons, there are many resources available to help you improve your skills and become fluent in this beautiful language.
29. Egyptian Spoken Arabic (74.8 Million Speakers).
Even though Modern Standard Arabic is number 6 on this list with 274 million speakers, that number doesn’t include dialects, like the type of Arabic spoken in Egypt by 74.9 million people. Also referred to as Egyptian or Masri, it’s the most widely-understood dialect because of Egypt’s cultural influence on cinema and music. Egyptian Arabic is also the most-studied variety of Arabic.
30. Kannada (44 million speakers)
Kannada, a Dravidian language, holds a significant place in the cultural heritage of India. This language is primarily spoken in the southern state of Karnataka, where it is also the official language. Kannada has a rich literary history and has contributed immensely to Indian literature over the years.
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