Headline Stats: Quick Answers
- Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken native language in the world, with around 930 million first-language speakers.
- English is the most spoken language overall, with around 1.45 billion total speakers.
- Spanish is spoken by around 559 million people worldwide, including native speakers in Spain and across Latin America, and second-language speakers around the globe.
- French has around 300 million speakers worldwide, across 29 countries. While only about 80–85 million people speak it natively, it is widely learned and used as a second language, especially in Africa and Europe.
- Swahili is the most widely spoken language in East Africa with around 16 million native speakers, and up to 250 million total speakers. Arabic dominates North Africa and the Middle East with 370 million native speakers, and over 400 million speakers including those who use it as a second language.
- English is widely recognised as the language of global business and diplomacy, used in international trade, aviation, and science.
On the internet, English dominates too, making up around 59% of website content.
Global Language Statistics: The Big Picture
The first signs of a shared human language go back tens of thousands of years. Since then, over 7,000 languages have developed worldwide. Some are spoken only within a single community, while others have spread so widely that they are used daily across whole continents.
Today, it is suggested that more than half of the world’s population is multilingual, meaning they speak at least two languages.
Here are the top languages by both native and total speakers:
Top Languages by Native Speakers (L1)
| Rank | Language | Native Speakers (millions) |
| 1 | Mandarin Chinese | ~930 |
| 2 | Spanish | ~485 |
| 3 | English | ~380 |
| 4 | Arabic (all varieties) | ~370 |
| 5 | Hindi | ~345 |
| 6 | Portuguese | ~230 |
| 7 | Russian | ~150 |
| 8 | Japanese | ~125 |
| 9 | German | ~95 |
| 10 | French | ~80–85 |
Top Languages by Total Speakers (L1 + L2)
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers (millions) |
| 1 | English | ~1,450 |
| 2 | Mandarin Chinese | ~1,100 |
| 3 | Hindi | ~600 |
| 4 | Spanish | ~559 |
| 5 | Arabic (all varieties) | ~400+ |
| 6 | French | ~300 |
| 7 | Russian | ~260 |
| 8 | Portuguese | ~258 |
| 9 | Bengali | ~250 |
| 10 | German | ~135 |
How Many People Speak…?
Languages vary enormously in reach. Some are spoken natively by hundreds of millions of people, while others rely on second-language learners to spread globally. Below we take a closer look at some of the world’s most spoken and most studied languages.
English
380 million native speakers and around 1.07 billion non-native speakers, making it the most studied foreign language worldwide.
Spanish
485 million native speakers and 559 million total. While it dominates Spain and Latin America, the United States is also a major centre of growth, with over 40 million native speakers and around 55 million total speakers, more than in Spain itself.
French
French has around 85 million native speakers and over 300 million speakers. Its global footprint comes from history and diplomacy, and from rapid population growth in French-speaking nations across West and Central Africa.
German
95 million native speakers, 135 million total. Important for European trade, especially car manufacturing and engineering and a leading language in research and higher education.
Russian
150 million native speakers, 260 million total. Influential across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Arabic
370 million native speakers, 400 million total. It exists in many spoken forms, with dialects varying widely across the Middle East and North Africa, alongside Modern Standard Arabic used in media and formal settings.
Hindi
345 million native speakers, 600 million total. One of India’s most widely spoken languages.
Mandarin Chinese
930 million native speakers, 1.1 billion total. The most spoken native language on earth.
Portuguese
230 million native speakers, 258 million total with the highest number of speakers found in Brazil.
Italian
65 million native speakers, 67 million total. Popular for cultural reasons, from art to cuisine.
Welsh
Around 538,000 speakers in Wales (17.8% of the population). Once in steep decline, Welsh is now reviving thanks to education and media, with a government target of 1 million speakers by 2050.
Irish (Gaeilge)
Around 1.9 million people in Ireland say they can speak Irish, though only about 74,000 use it daily. Its survival is supported by Gaeltacht communities, schools and national cultural policy.
Latin
Once the language of the Roman Empire, Latin is now a “dead” language with no native speakers. It remains influential in science, law, medicine and the Catholic Church, and is studied by many as a classical language.
Hawaiian
Once nearly extinct, Hawaiian now has around 27,000 people who speak it at home, boosted by immersion schools and cultural revival since the 1980s. Including learners and second-language speakers, over 50,000 people have some ability in Hawaiian. It is an official language of Hawai‘i alongside English.
The Most Spoken Languages by Continent
The Most Popular Spoken Languages in Africa
Over 2,000 languages are spoken across Africa, making it one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world. Many are tribal or community languages, used within families and villages for daily life. Alongside them, larger regional and official languages such as Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba and Zulu act as bridges between groups and nations. European colonial history also left a strong imprint, with English, French and Portuguese serving as official languages in many countries.
Arabic is the most popular language both natively and when native and second language speakers are considered. Swahili, as a key bridging language (lingua franca) across East and Central Africa has a low number of native speakers but climbs the list when second languages are considered, reflecting its role in communication across the continent.
Top 12 African Languages by Native Speakers (L1)
| Rank | Language | Native Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | Arabic | ~200 million | Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania |
| 2 | Hausa | ~80 million | Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Cameroon, Chad |
| 3 | Yoruba | ~45 million | Nigeria, Benin |
| 4 | Igbo | ~44 million | Nigeria |
| 5 | Oromo | ~40 million | Ethiopia, Kenya |
| 6 | Amharic | ~30 million | Ethiopia |
| 7 | Swahili | ~16 million | Tanzania, Kenya, DRC, Uganda |
| 8 | Somali | ~16 million | Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya |
| 9 | Shona | ~14 million | Zimbabwe |
| 10 | Zulu | ~12 million | South Africa |
| 11 | Xhosa | ~10 million | South Africa |
| 12 | Malagasy | ~8 million | Madagascar |
When second-language speakers are included, the linguistic picture broadens to reveal Africa’s colonial and regional diversity. French, English, and Portuguese rise in prominence due to their historical roles in administration and education, while Swahili and Hausa show how indigenous languages continue to serve as powerful regional connectors.
Top 12 African Languages by Total Speakers (L1 + L2)
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | Arabic | ~250–270 million | North Africa, Horn of Africa, Sahel |
| 2 | Swahili | ~220–250 million | Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, Mozambique, Comoros |
| 3 | French | ~140 million | DRC, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Madagascar, North & Central Africa |
| 4 | English | ~130 million | Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania |
| 5 | Hausa | ~100–120 million | Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Cameroon |
| 6 | Portuguese | ~70 million | Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé & Príncipe |
| 7 | Yoruba | ~45–50 million | Nigeria, Benin |
| 8 | Igbo | ~45 million | Nigeria |
| 9 | Lingala | ~40 million | DRC, Republic of the Congo, Angola, CAR |
| 10 | Amharic | ~35–40 million | Ethiopia |
| 11 | Zulu | ~27 million | South Africa |
| 12 | Somali | ~20 million | Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya |
Notable Languages Not in the Top 12
Other widely used African languages include Afrikaans (~11 million native; ~20 million total), Tigrinya (~10 million native), Kinyarwanda (~13 million native), and Tswana (~8 million native). Though smaller globally, each remains highly significant within its region.
FAQS Africa
What is the most common language in Africa?
Arabic is the most widely spoken language across Africa, with over 250 million speakers, mainly in North Africa. Swahili, Hausa, Amharic, French, and English are also common.
Which language is most widely spoken in North Africa?
Arabic dominates across North Africa, with around 150 million speakers across the region.
What is the most popular language in Egypt?
Arabic is Egypt’s official and most widely spoken language, specifically Egyptian Arabic. Egyptian Arabic has 100 million speakers making it the single largest variety of Arabic in Africa.
What is the most popular language in Morocco?
Arabic is the official language, spoken by approximately 92.7% of the population. French is spoken by roughly 33% of the population, and is widely used in business, media, and education.
Which language is most widely spoken in West Africa?
Hausa is the most widely spoken indigenous language, with an estimated 80 to 100 million speakers. English and French are also major lingua francas.What is the most popular language in Nigeria?
English is the official language, but Hausa (50 – 60 million speakers), Yoruba (40 – 45 million speakers), and Igbo(30 – 35 million speakers) are the largest indigenous languages. Nigeria is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 500 indigenous languages.
Which language is most widely spoken in East Africa?
Swahili is the most common regional language with more than 220 million speakers concentrated in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
What is the most popular language in Kenya?
Swahili is the national language and is spoken natively, or as a second language by 85% of the population. English as official language of government and education. In everyday life, there are a number of indigenous languages used, including Kikuyu (8.1 million native speakers), Kamba (4.7 million native speakers), and Mijikenda (2.6 million native speakers).
What is the most popular language in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has more than 80 languages. Amharic is the official working language, spoken natively by about 31 million people and widely used as a second language in government, education, and media. Oromo is the largest by native speakers, with over 36 million people, making it Ethiopia’s biggest first language. In practice, Amharic remains the most influential overall because of its national role and official status.
Which language is most widely spoken in Central Africa?
French is the most widely spoken language, used officially in Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabon. The DRC alone has over 42 million French speakers, making it the world’s largest Francophone country.
Local languages are also key: Lingala has over 40 million users in the two Congos, Sango around 5–8 million in the Central African Republic, and Swahili is widely spoken in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Which language is most widely spoken in Southern Africa?
Zulu is the most spoken native language with around 12 million speakers in South Africa. Other major indigenous languages include Xhosa (approx. 8 million) and Shona ( approx 10 million in Zimbabwe). English is used widely in business, government and education across the region. Afrikaans has about 7 million speakers in South Africa and Namibia.
What is the most common language in South Africa?
Zulu is the most spoken first language, with about 15.1 million native speakers (24.4% of the population). The next largest are Xhosa (~10.1 million, 16.3%) and Afrikaans (~6.6 million, 10.6%). English is the home language of around 5.4 million people (8.7%), but it is the main language of politics, education, and the media, giving it influence far beyond its native base.
What is the most popular language in Mozambique?
Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language. Around 13 to 13.4 million people (about 47–50% of the population) speak it, though only about 16–17% use it as their first language. The rest speak Portuguese as a second language, especially in cities, where it is essential for government, education, and media.
Mozambique is also home to over 40 indigenous languages. The largest include Makhuwa (around 8 million speakers), Sena (~3 million), and Tsonga (~1.5 million), which remain dominant in rural areas.
The Most Popular Spoken Languages in Europe
Europe is home to more than 200 languages, but only a handful dominate across the continent. Russian has the most native speakers, while English is the most widely understood thanks to its role in business, education, and international communication. Other major languages include German, French, Italian, and Spanish, each central to regional culture and influence.
Europe is also notable for its multilingual countries. Luxembourg, with just 650,000 people, has three official languages – Luxembourgish, French, and German, while Switzerland recognises four: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Across the European Union, 24 official languages are recognised, reflecting the continent’s remarkable diversity.
Top 12 European Languages by Native Speakers (L1)
| Rank | Language | Native Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | Russian | ~120 million (in Europe) | Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Baltics |
| 2 | German | ~95 million | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium |
| 3 | French | ~80 million | France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg |
| 4 | English | ~70 million | United Kingdom, Ireland |
| 5 | Italian | ~60 million | Italy, Switzerland |
| 6 | Spanish | ~43 million | Spain |
| 7 | Polish | ~38 million | Poland |
| 8 | Ukrainian | ~32 million | Ukraine |
| 9 | Romanian | ~24 million | Romania, Moldova |
| 10 | Dutch | ~16.5 million | Netherlands, Belgium |
| 11 | Turkish | ~12 million | Turkey (European region), Cyprus, diaspora |
| 12 | Portuguese | ~10 million | Portugal |
While Russian dominates natively, the picture shifts dramatically when second-language speakers are included. English, French, and German rise to the top, reflecting their use as shared languages for travel, study, and commerce across borders. Europe’s long history of migration and integration has created a continent where multilingualism is common – over 60% of EU citizens report being able to speak at least one language other than their mother tongue.
Top 12 European Languages by Total Speakers (L1 + L2)
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | English | ~370 million | UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Germany, Southern Europe |
| 2 | Russian | ~250 million | Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Baltics, Eastern Europe |
| 3 | French | ~200 million | France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, parts of Eastern Europe and Africa-linked communities |
| 4 | German | ~135 million | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe |
| 5 | Spanish | ~90 million | Spain, Western Europe, and studied widely across the continent |
| 6 | Italian | ~65 million | Italy, Switzerland, Malta, and studied in Europe |
| 7 | Polish | ~45 million | Poland, UK, Germany, and diaspora communities |
| 8 | Ukrainian | ~35 million | Ukraine, Poland, Russia |
| 9 | Romanian | ~26 million | Romania, Moldova, diaspora communities |
| 10 | Dutch | ~25 million | Netherlands, Belgium |
| 11 | Portuguese | ~20 million | Portugal, diaspora across France, Luxembourg, and the UK |
| 12 | Turkish | ~18 million | Turkey (European side), Germany, Balkans |
Notable Languages Not in the Top 12
Greek (~10 million native speakers), Czech (~10 million), Hungarian (~9 million), and Swedish (~10 million) remain regionally important and form key parts of Europe’s cultural and linguistic heritage.
FAQs Europe
What is the most popular language in Europe?
Russian has the most native speakers in Europe, with about 120 million people using it as their first language. English is the most widely spoken overall, with around 370 million Europeans are estimated to have at least some knowledge of English.
Which language is most widely spoken in Northern Europe?
English is the most widely spoken language in Northern Europe, with around 70 million native speakers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and many more who use it as a second language across the region. In total, about 370 million Europeans can speak English, making it the continent’s dominant lingua franca.
What is the most common language in the United Kingdom?
English is the most common language in the UK, spoken as a first language by around 59 million people – over 90% of the population.
What is the most common language in Scotland?
English is the most common language spoken by most of Scotland’s 5.4 million people. Around 1.5 million people are able to speak Scots, and about 57,000 people speak Scottish Gaelic.
Which language is most widely spoken in Western Europe?
French and German are the most spoken languages in Western Europe. French has about 80 million native speakers in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, and is used as a second language by millions more. German has around 95 million native speakers, mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
What is the most common language in France?
French is the official and most spoken language. Around 97–98% of the population, approx 67 million people, use it as their first or main language.
What is the most common language in Germany?
German is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 95% of the population (around 78–80 million people). Turkish is the largest minority language, with over 1.5 million speakers.
What is the most common language in the Netherlands?
Dutch is the official and most widely spoken language, used by about 96% of the population (around 16.5 million people). Other recognised languages include Frisian (~400,000 speakers) in Friesland and regional varieties such as Limburgish and Low Saxon, each spoken by over a million people.
What is the most common language in Belgium?
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Dutch (often called Flemish) is the most common, spoken by about 60% of the population – around 7 million people, mainly in Flanders and Brussels. French is used by about 40% – around 4.5 million, concentrated in Wallonia and Brussels. German is the smallest, with about 75,000 speakers in eastern Belgium.
What is the most common language in Switzerland?
German is the most spoken language, used by about 62% of the population – around 5.4 million people. French is spoken by about 23% – 2 million people. Italian is spoken by around 8% – 700,000 people . Romansh is the smallest national language, spoken by about 0.5% 40,000 people – in fact it is often cited as the smallest national language in the world.
Which language is most widely spoken in Southern Europe?
Within the region, Italian is the most spoken language, with about 58 million native speakers in Italy. Spanish follows with around 43 million in Spain, while Portuguese (~10 million in Portugal) and Greek (~9 million in Greece and Cyprus) are also important. Globally, Spanish has far greater reach, with nearly 485 million native speakers worldwide.
What is the most popular language in Spain?
Spanish (Castilian) is the official language and is spoken by about 43 million people – roughly 94% of the population. Several regional languages also have co-official status: Catalan/Valencian, ~9 million speakers, Galician, ~2.4 million)], and Basque ~750,000.
What is the most popular language in Portugal?
Portuguese is the official and dominant language, spoken by almost the entire population of about 10 million people.
What is the most popular language in Italy?
Italian is the official and most spoken language, used by more than 58 million people across the country.
What is the most popular language in Greece?
Greek is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 10.7 million people, nearly the entire population.
Which language is most widely spoken in Eastern Europe?
Russian is the most widely spoken language in Eastern Europe, with around 120 million native speakers in the region, mainly in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Polish is next, with about 38 million native speakers in Poland, followed by Ukrainian, spoken by around 30 million people.
What is the most common language in Poland?
Polish is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 38 million people, nearly the entire population. Small minority languages include Silesian, Kashubian, and German, but they make up only a tiny share of speakers.
What is the most common language in Romania?
Romanian is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 24 million people, which is over 90% of the population.
What is the most common language in Ukraine?
Ukrainian is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 32 million people. Russian was once widely used, with around 14 million speakers mainly in the east and south, but its use has declined sharply since the 2022 invasion.
What is the most common language in Russia?
Russian is the official and overwhelmingly most spoken language, with about 138 million native speakers, making up the vast majority of the country’s population.
Which language is most widely spoken in Southeastern Europe?
Turkish is the most widely spoken language in Southeastern Europe, with about 75 million speakers in Turkey and Cyprus. Other major languages in the region include Greek (around 9 million speakers in Greece and Cyprus), Serbian (8.6 million), Croatian (6.6 million), Bosnian (2.5 million), and Albanian (about 5.5 million across Albania, Kosovo, and neighbouring countries).
What is the most popular language in Turkey?
Turkish is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 85 to 88% of the population (around 70 million people). The largest minority language is Kurdish, with an estimated 8 to 10 million speakers, alongside smaller communities speaking Arabic, Zaza, and Circassian.
The Most Popular Spoken Languages in Asia
Asia is the world’s largest and most linguistically diverse continent, home to more than 4.7 billion people and over 2,300 languages. From Mandarin Chinese to Hindi, Bengali, and Arabic, Asia’s languages reflect vast histories, empires, and migration patterns. Some, like Japanese or Korean, are spoken almost exclusively within one country, while others such as Arabic, Hindi, and Malay extend across borders and cultures.
Top 12 Asian Languages by Native Speakers (L1)
| Rank | Language | Native Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | Mandarin Chinese | ~930 million | China, Taiwan, Singapore |
| 2 | Hindi | ~345 million | India, Nepal |
| 3 | Bengali | ~230 million | Bangladesh, India |
| 4 | Arabic (Asian varieties) | ~170 million | Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Jordan |
| 5 | Japanese | ~125 million | Japan |
| 6 | Punjabi | ~95 million | India, Pakistan |
| 7 | Vietnamese | ~86 million | Vietnam |
| 8 | Telugu | ~83 million | India |
| 9 | Korean | ~80 million | North & South Korea |
| 10 | Tamil | ~75 million | India, Sri Lanka, Singapore. Malaysia |
| 11 | Turkish | ~75 million | Turkey (Asian part), Cyprus |
| 12 | Persian (Farsi, Dari, Tajik) | ~70 million | Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan |
While Russian dominates natively, the picture shifts dramatically when second-language speakers are included. English, French, and German rise to the top, reflecting their use as shared languages for travel, study, and commerce across borders. Europe’s long history of migration and integration has created a continent where multilingualism is common – over 60% of EU citizens report being able to speak at least one language other than their mother tongue.
Top 12 European Languages by Total Speakers (L1 + L2)
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | English | ~370 million | UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Germany, Southern Europe |
| 2 | Russian | ~250 million | Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Baltics, Eastern Europe |
| 3 | French | ~200 million | France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, parts of Eastern Europe and Africa-linked communities |
| 4 | German | ~135 million | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe |
| 5 | Spanish | ~90 million | Spain, Western Europe, and studied widely across the continent |
| 6 | Italian | ~65 million | Italy, Switzerland, Malta, and studied in Europe |
| 7 | Polish | ~45 million | Poland, UK, Germany, and diaspora communities |
| 8 | Ukrainian | ~35 million | Ukraine, Poland, Russia |
| 9 | Romanian | ~26 million | Romania, Moldova, diaspora communities |
| 10 | Dutch | ~25 million | Netherlands, Belgium |
| 11 | Portuguese | ~20 million | Portugal, diaspora across France, Luxembourg, and the UK |
| 12 | Turkish | ~18 million | Turkey (European side), Germany, Balkans |
Notable Languages Not in the Top 12
Beyond the top twelve, several other Asian languages are spoken by tens of millions of people.
Javanese (~82 million) is Indonesia’s largest native language, while Thai (~60 million) dominates Thailand.
Pashto (~40–50 million) spans Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Burmese (~33 million) is the main language of Myanmar.
Gujarati (~56 million), Kannada (~44 million), and Malayalam (~35 million) are major Indian languages with strong regional influence.
In Southeast Asia, Tagalog/Filipino has around 28 million native and 80 million total speakers, reflecting its national and global reach.
Together, these languages show the immense depth of Asia’s linguistic diversity, each central to communication, identity, and culture within its region.
FAQs Asia
What is the most common language in Asia?
Mandarin Chinese is the most common language, with nearly one billion native speakers.
Which language is most widely spoken in East Asia?
Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in East Asia, with about 940 million native speakers in China and more than 1.1 billion speakers worldwide. Japanese is spoken by around 125 million people, and Korean has about 82 million speakers across North and South Korea.
What is the most common language in China?
Mandarin Chinese (known in China as Putonghua) is the official and most widely spoken language. It is the mother tongue of about 940 million people and understood by more than 1.1 billion, making it the world’s most spoken language. China is also home to many other languages, including Cantonese (~85 million speakers), Shanghainese, Hokkien, and Tibetan.
What is the most common language in Japan?
Japanese is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 122 million people, virtually the entire population.
What is the most common language in Mongolia?
Mongolian is the official and most widely spoken language, used by about 3 million people, almost the entire population. The dominant variety is Khalkha Mongolian, spoken by around 90% of Mongolians.
What is the most common language in Hong Kong?
Cantonese is the most widely spoken language, used by about 6.5 million people as their main language in daily life. English is also an official language, spoken by around 460,000 people as their primary language, though many more use it as a second language in business, law, and education. Mandarin (Putonghua) has grown in use since 1997, with about 3.6 million people able to speak it.
What is the most common language in South Korea?
Korean is the official and dominant language, spoken by almost the entire population of about 51 million people.
What is the most common language in Taiwan?
Mandarin Chinese is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 23 million people, which is nearly the entire population. Other widely used languages include Taiwanese Hokkien, spoken by around 70% of the population, and Hakka, spoken by about 15%.
Which language is most widely spoken in South Asia?
Hindi is the most widely spoken language in South Asia, with around 345 million native speakers in India and many more who use it as a second language. Bengali has about 230 million native speakers across Bangladesh and eastern India, making it another major regional language. Urdu, spoken by about 70 million people in Pakistan and India, is also widely used, particularly in literature and media.
The Most Popular Spoken Languages in The Americas
The Americas are home to more than 1,000 languages, from global giants like English, Spanish, and Portuguese to hundreds of indigenous languages spoken by smaller communities. Colonial history shaped the region: Spanish dominates most of Latin America, Portuguese is spoken in Brazil, and English is the main language in the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. Indigenous languages such as Quechua, Guaraní, and Nahuatl continue to thrive in many regions, preserving deep cultural and historical roots alongside the continent’s dominant colonial languages.
Top 12 Languages in the Americas by Native Speakers (L1)
| Rank | Language | Native Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | Spanish | ~450 million | Mexico, Central & South America, USA |
| 2 | English | ~335 million | United States, Canada, Caribbean nations |
| 3 | Portuguese | ~220 million | Brazil |
| 4 | French | ~18 million | Canada, Haiti, French Guiana, Caribbean |
| 5 | Quechua | ~8 million | Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia |
| 6 | Guaraní | ~6 million | Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil |
| 7 | Haitian Creole | ~11 million | Haiti |
| 8 | Aymara | ~2 million | Bolivia, Peru, Chile |
| 9 | Navajo | ~170,000 | United States (Southwest) |
| 10 | K’iche’ (Quiché) | ~1 million | Guatemala |
| 11 | Nahuatl | ~1.7 million | Mexico |
| 12 | Mapudungun | ~260,000 | Chile, Argentina |
When second-language speakers are included, the linguistic landscape of the Americas changes significantly. English and Spanish both expand dramatically beyond their native bases due to migration, education, and international media, while French, Portuguese, and Creole languages remain key to national identity in their respective regions.
The Americas also show one of the highest rates of bilingualism in the world – over 60% of Latin Americans can speak at least two languages, and indigenous languages are increasingly recognised in education and law.
Top 12 Languages in the Americas by Total Speakers (L1 + L2)
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | Spanish | ~470 million | Mexico, Central & South America, USA, Caribbean |
| 2 | English | ~370 million | USA, Canada, Caribbean, Central America |
| 3 | Portuguese | ~260 million | Brazil, parts of South America |
| 4 | French | ~40 million | Canada, Haiti, Caribbean, French Guiana |
| 5 | Haitian Creole | ~12 million | Haiti, Caribbean, diaspora |
| 6 | Quechua | ~10 million | Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia |
| 7 | Guaraní | ~7 million | Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil |
| 8 | Aymara | ~2.5 million | Bolivia, Peru, Chile |
| 9 | Nahuatl | ~2 million | Mexico |
| 10 | K’iche’ (Quiché) | ~1.2 million | Guatemala |
| 11 | Dutch | ~6 million | Suriname, Caribbean islands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten) |
| 12 | Italian | ~5 million | USA, Argentina, Brazil (heritage and L2 speakers) |
Notable Languages Not in the Top 12
Other important languages include Mayan (spoken by around 6 million people across Central America), Garifuna in coastal Honduras and Belize, and Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) in the Arctic north. Each reflects the incredible cultural and geographical diversity of the region.
FAQs The Americas
What is the most spoken language in the Americas?
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the Americas, with over 400 million speakers.
Which language is most widely spoken in North America?
English is the most widely spoken language, used by about 350 million people across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Spanish is also very common, with around 200 million speakers in Mexico, the United States, and Central America.
What is the most common language in the United States?
English is the dominant language, spoken by around 300 million people, which is more than 90 percent of the population. Spanish is the second most spoken language, with about 42 million speakers, making the United States the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico.
What is the most common language in Canada?
Canada has two official languages: English and French. English is the most widely spoken, with about 22 million native speakers. Around 7 million people speak French, mainly in Quebec and parts of New Brunswick.
What is the most common language in Mexico?
Spanish is the official and dominant language, spoken by about 124 million people, which is over 98 percent of the population. Mexico also recognises 68 national indigenous languages, including Nahuatl, Maya, and Mixtec, though each is spoken by much smaller communities. Nahuatl is the largest, with about 1.5 million speakers.
Which language is most widely spoken in Central America?
Spanish is the main language, spoken by more than 40 million people across the region, making it dominant in every country except Belize. In Belize, English is the official language, but Spanish and Creole are widely used.
What is the most popular language in Honduras?
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language, used by more than 9 million people, which is the vast majority of the population. Indigenous and minority languages are also present, including Garifuna, Miskito, and several Mayan languages, though each is spoken by much smaller communities.
Which language is most widely spoken in the Caribbean?
The Caribbean is linguistically diverse, but Spanish is the most widely spoken, with more than 25 million speakers in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. English comes next, with about 6 million speakers across Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the Bahamas, and other islands. French is spoken by around 7 million people in Haiti, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, while Dutch is used in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. Creole languages, such as Haitian Creole, are also major languages in daily life.
Which language is most widely spoken in South America?
Spanish is the dominant language, spoken by more than 210 million people across most South American countries. Portuguese is spoken by about 215 million people in Brazil, making it the single most spoken language in the region. Other important languages include Quechua, with around 8 million speakers in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, and Guaraní, spoken by about 6 million people in Paraguay and neighbouring areas.
What is the most common language in Argentina?
Spanish is the official and dominant language, spoken by almost the entire population of around 46 million people. The local variety is known as Rioplatense Spanish, which has distinctive pronunciation influenced by Italian immigration. Minority languages include Italian, Quechua, Guaraní, and Welsh in Patagonia, though each is spoken by much smaller communities.
What is the most common language in Chile?
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language, used by more than 19 million people, which is almost the entire population. The local variety is known as Chilean Spanish, which has its own distinctive accent and vocabulary. Indigenous languages such as Mapudungun and Aymara are spoken by smaller communities, but their use has declined in recent decades.
What is the most common language in Ecuador?
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language, used by about 13 million people, which is over 90 percent of the population. Indigenous languages are also recognised, the most significant being Quechua, spoken by around 2 million people, and Shuar, spoken by smaller communities in the Amazon region.
The Most Popular Spoken Languages in Oceania
Oceania, stretching from Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific Islands, is home to more than 1,300 languages, one of the highest linguistic densities in the world. While English dominates as the main language of communication across Australia, New Zealand, and many Pacific nations, indigenous and creole languages remain central to the region’s identity.Papua New Guinea alone is home to over 840 languages, representing about 12% of all the world’s living tongues. Across the Pacific, languages like Fijian, Samoan, Tongan, and Hawaiian remain vibrant symbols of cultural heritage and resilience.
Top 12 Languages in Oceania by Native Speakers (L1)
| Rank | Language | Native Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | English | ~22 million | Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands |
| 2 | Tok Pisin | ~4 million | Papua New Guinea |
| 3 | Fijian | ~370,000 | Fiji |
| 4 | Samoan | ~260,000 | Samoa, American Samoa, New Zealand |
| 5 | Tongan | ~190,000 | Tonga, New Zealand |
| 6 | Māori | ~185,000 | New Zealand |
| 7 | Tahitian | ~68,000 | French Polynesia |
| 8 | Hawaiian | ~27,000 | Hawai’i (United States) |
| 9 | Bislama | ~10,000 | Vanuatu |
| 10 | Hiri Motu | ~10,000 | Papua New Guinea |
| 11 | Niuean | ~8,000 | Niue, New Zealand |
| 12 | Pitjantjatjara | ~3,000 | Central Australia (Aboriginal communities) |
Although English leads by native speakers, the linguistic reality of Oceania is complex. In Papua New Guinea, for example, most people speak Tok Pisin or Hiri Motu as second languages alongside their local tongues. In New Zealand and Polynesia, bilingualism is encouraged, with indigenous languages increasingly revitalised through education and media.
Oceania also stands out for the survival of creole languages — such as Bislama, Tok Pisin, and Pijin — which emerged from colonial trade and now serve as national or regional lingua francas.
Top 12 Languages in Oceania by Total Speakers (L1 + L2)
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers | Where Spoken |
| 1 | English | ~30 million | Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands |
| 2 | Tok Pisin | ~5 – 6 million | Papua New Guinea |
| 3 | Fijian | ~700,000 | Fiji |
| 4 | Samoan | ~510,000 | Samoa, American Samoa, New Zealand |
| 5 | Tongan | ~320,000 | Tonga, New Zealand |
| 6 | Pijin | ~300,000 | Solomon Islands |
| 7 | Māori | ~214,000 | New Zealand |
| 8 | Bislama | ~200,000 | Vanuatu |
| 9 | Tahitian | ~180,000 | French Polynesia |
| 10 | Hiri Motu | ~100,000 | Papua New Guinea |
| 11 | Hawaiian | ~50,000 | Hawai’i |
| 12 | Niuean | ~20,000 | Niue, New Zealand, Cook Islands |
Notable Languages Not in the Top 12
Other significant languages in Oceania include Palauan (20,000+ speakers in Micronesia), Chamorro (60,000+ in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands), and Aboriginal Australian languages such as Arrernte and Yolŋu Matha, each spoken by thousands of people and central to Australia’s Indigenous heritage.
FAQs Oceania
What is the most common language in Oceania?
English is the most widely spoken language, with around 30 million speakers across Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific island nations. Other important languages include Tok Pisin, spoken by about 4 million people in Papua New Guinea, and French, used in New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
Which language is most widely spoken in Australia and New Zealand?
English is the dominant language in both countries. In Australia, it is spoken by more than 25 million people, which is nearly the entire population. In New Zealand, about 4 million people use English as their main language, while Māori is also an official language and spoken by around 185,000 people.
Which language is most widely spoken in Melanesia?
Melanesia is one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world, with more than 1,300 languages. The most widely used lingua francas are Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, spoken by about 4 million people as a first or second language, Bislama in Vanuatu, spoken by around 200,000 people, and Fijian in Fiji, spoken by about 650,000 people. English and French are also official in some countries, but are less commonly spoken in daily life.
What is the most popular language in Fiji?
Fiji has three official languages: Fijian, Hindi, and English. Fijian is spoken by about 350,000 people, mostly Indigenous Fijians, while Fiji Hindi is spoken by around 313,000 people, largely among Indo-Fijian communities. English is used in government, education, and business, though it is not the primary home language for most people.
Which language is most widely spoken in Micronesia?
Micronesia is home to many small island nations, each with its own linguistic profile. English is an official language in most of the region and is widely used in government, education, and business. Indigenous Austronesian languages dominate daily life, including Chuukese (spoken by about 50,000 people), Marshallese (around 45,000), Palauan (about 18,000), and Kosraean (about 8,000).
Which language is most widely spoken in Polynesia?
Polynesia has a rich mix of indigenous languages. Samoan is the largest, spoken by about 500,000 people in Samoa and American Samoa, with large diaspora communities abroad. Tongan is spoken by around 187,000 people, mostly in Tonga. Tahitian is used by about 68,000 people in French Polynesia, while Māori in New Zealand has about 185,000 speakers and more than 600,000 people in New Zealand have some knowledge or understanding of it. English and French are also widely used in parts of Polynesia for government, education, and business.
Unusual and Least Spoken Languages
While a handful of global languages dominate, thousands more are at risk of disappearing. UNESCO estimates that over 40% of the world’s languages are endangered, with some spoken by only a few dozen people.
Examples include Ainu in Japan, Livonian in Latvia, and Cornish in the UK, which almost died out but is now being revived through education. Manx, from the Isle of Man, was declared extinct in 1974 when its last native speaker died, yet today it is being spoken again by a growing number of learners.
Some languages have no native speakers but continue to play important cultural or religious roles. Latin, Sanskrit and Coptic are used in rituals, study or liturgy, while Hebrew is the best-known revival success story, returning from centuries without native speakers to become the national language of Israel.
uTalk supports not only the global giants like English, Spanish and Mandarin, but also the rare gems, helping to keep all the languages of the world alive.
What Is the Most Common Language to Learn?
When it comes to language learning, English leads by far, with an estimated 1.5 billion learners worldwide. For many learners, improving their language proficiency in English is seen as essential for global careers.