[ Google AdSense 728x90 Leaderboard ]

Most Spoken Languages in the World

Languages ranked by the total number of native and non-native speakers globally. This comprehensive dataset is meticulously compiled from verified global sources and updated regularly. Use the sorting and filtering tools to explore the data, or export it as CSV for deeper analysis. All figures are cross-referenced with authoritative international databases.

Rank ⇵Language ⇵Total Speakers ⇵Native Speakers ⇵
1English1.45 BillionGlobal
2Mandarin Chinese1.12 BillionChina
3Hindi602 MillionIndia
4Spanish548 MillionSpain, Latin America
5French280 MillionFrance, Global
6Modern Standard Arabic274 MillionMiddle East
7Bengali272 MillionBangladesh, India
8Russian258 MillionRussia
9Portuguese257 MillionPortugal, Brazil
10Urdu231 MillionPakistan, India
11Indonesian199 MillionIndonesia
12German134 MillionGermany, Europe
13Japanese125 MillionJapan
14Nigerian Pidgin120 MillionNigeria
15Marathi99 MillionIndia
16Telugu95 MillionIndia
17Turkish88 MillionTurkey
18Tamil86 MillionIndia, Sri Lanka
19Yue Chinese (Cantonese)85 MillionChina, Hong Kong
20Vietnamese85 MillionVietnam
21Tagalog82 MillionPhilippines
22Wu Chinese81 MillionChina
23Korean81 MillionSouth/North Korea
24Persian77 MillionIran
25Hausa77 MillionNigeria, Niger
26Egyptian Arabic74 MillionEgypt
27Swahili71 MillionEast Africa
28Javanese68 MillionIndonesia
29Italian67 MillionItaly
30Punjabi66 MillionIndia, Pakistan
31Gujarati62 MillionIndia
32Thai60 MillionThailand
33Amharic57 MillionEthiopia
34Kannada56 MillionIndia
35Odia55 MillionIndia
36Bhojpuri53 MillionIndia
37Jin Chinese47 MillionChina
38Southern Min47 MillionChina
39Hakka Chinese44 MillionChina
40Burmese43 MillionMyanmar
41Yoruba43 MillionNigeria
42Uzbek40 MillionUzbekistan
43Maithili34 MillionIndia, Nepal
44Sindhi32 MillionPakistan, India
45Ukrainian32 MillionUkraine
46Igbo32 MillionNigeria
47Malayalam31 MillionIndia
48Sundanese31 MillionIndonesia
49Romanian24 MillionRomania
50Dutch23 MillionNetherlands
Share:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Most Spoken Languages in the World?
Languages ranked by the total number of native and non-native speakers globally.
How many entries are in this list?
There are currently 20 entries recorded in this list, covering all major verified records from global databases.
How is this data collected and verified?
Data is sourced from official records, government publications, peer-reviewed studies, and reputable international organizations. All entries are cross-referenced with multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
How often is this list updated?
This list is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the most current data available. Some statistics change frequently (e.g. population, rankings) while others remain stable over time (e.g. historical records).
Can I use this data for research or projects?
Yes. The data presented here is free to use for educational, research, and personal projects. We recommend citing the original sources for academic work. Use the Export CSV button to download the data in a spreadsheet format.

Related Data Lists

Most Spoken Languages by Native Speakers
The world's languages ranked by the number of native (first-language) speakers.
Largest Armies in the World (Active Personnel)
Countries ranked by the number of active-duty military personnel.
Largest Religions in the World
The major world religions ranked by estimated number of adherents.