28 Most Spoken Languages in the World in the Year 2023
In 2023, there were more than 40 languages of speakers but we took 28 Languages that most speakers learn and talk about around the world. There are as follows:
1. English – 1.452 billion speakers. It is spoken as a first language in 67 countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
2. Mandarin Chinese – 1.118 billion speakers. This language can lead to many opportunities, especially in business and cultural exchanges with China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
3. Hindi – 602 million speakers. Hindi is not only the official language of India but also the mother tongue of Fiji and several other countries.
4. Spanish – 534 million speakers. It is the second-most spoken language in the world. It is also the official language of 21 countries: Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Cuba, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Paraguay, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Uruguay, Nicaragua, and Equatorial Guinea.
5. Arabic – 372 million speakers. It is official in 25 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq, and widely spoken in many more. Arabic is a Semitic language, which means that it has its roots in ancient languages of the Arabian Peninsula.
6. French – 300 million speakers. French is the official language in 29 countries, including France, Canada, Switzerland, and Belgium, making it a widely spoken language across different continents.
7. Bengali – 265 million speakers. Bengali is an Indo-Aryan language that evolved from the ancient Sanskrit language. It is the official language of Bangladesh and is also widely spoken in many parts of India.
8. Russian – 258 million speakers. It has a rich history and serves as the official language of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
9. Portuguese – 223 million speakers. Its use as the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other countries.
10. Swahili (also known as Kiswahili) – 200 million speakers. Swahili, an alternative name for Kiswahili, has gained recognition beyond East Africa. As a result, it has become one of the most studied African languages globally.
11. Indonesian – 200 million speakers. Indonesian is a fascinating language spoken by millions of people in Indonesia.
12. Urdu – 170 million speakers. Urdu is a language that is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Pakistan and India. As the national language of Pakistan, it plays an important role in shaping the identity of the country.
13. Japanese – 150 million speakers. Japanese has 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.
14. German – 135 million speakers. German, being a West Germanic language, is widely spoken in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
15. Punjabi – 125 million speakers. Punjabi is a versatile and melodious language, spoken by millions of people in both India and Pakistan.
16. 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.
17. Javanese – 98 million speakers – Official in Indonesia
18. Wu Chinese – 90 million speakers. Wu Chinese has a unique position in the linguistic map of China. It is one of the most widely spoken dialects in the country, with around 90 million speakers.
19. 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.
20. Italian – 85 million speakers. As the official language of Italy, Switzerland, and Vatican City, Italian plays an essential role in the cultural identity of these countries.
21. Turkish – 85 million speakers. Turkish is more than just a spoken language. 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.
22. Marathi – 85 million speakers. Marathi, being an Indo-Aryan language, holds immense importance in India. It is widely spoken as the official language of Maharashtra state in India.
23. Tamil – 78 million speakers. Tamil, one of the oldest languages in the world, is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse literary traditions. Spoken by millions of people in India, Sri Lanka, and Singapore,
24. Korean – 77 million speakers. The Korean language has become a popular language to learn. This fascinating and complex East Asian language is spoken in both North and South Korea.
25. Thai – 70 million speakers. As the official language of Thailand.
26. Polish – 46 million speakers – Official in Poland.
27. 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.
28. 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.
Source: lingua.edu
