What are the Most Spoken Languages in the World?

The data regarding global interest in the Italian language, with over 2 million students worldwide, prompted us to broaden the scope of reflection and ask ourselves: what are the most spoken languages in the world?

To create a global ranking, we utilized The Ethnologue 200 – 2023 list, which compiles the ranking of the 200 most spoken languages in the world. The numbers forming the basis of the ranking represent the total number of speakers for a particular language, combining native speakers with those who use it as a second language. This publication involves the participation of internationally renowned linguists and is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the most established and reputable news channels.

But let’s get straight to the point; here are the most spoken languages in the world:

1. English

Not a surprising outcome at all. With over a billion people using the language in their daily lives, English is the most spoken language in the world.

Total: 1,456,000,000 speakers.

2. Mandarin Chinese

Thanks to the high population density in areas where this language is among the native languages, Mandarin Chinese secures the second position in the ranking.

Total: 1,138,000,000 speakers.

3. Hindi

A similar discourse to the previous one places the native language of the Indian subcontinent in the third position. It’s worth noting that Hindi accounts for approximately half of the Mandarin Chinese speakers, creating the first significant gap between two positions on this list.

Total: 609,500,000 speakers.

4. Spanish

The second European language within the top 5 most spoken languages in the world is Spanish. Widely spoken in most of Latin America and able to establish itself in small areas of Southeast Asia, the Iberian language ranks fourth.

Total: 559,100,000 speakers.

5. French

Staying on the topic of ‘European languages worldwide’, in the fifth position, we find French. This linguistic system is predominantly used in Europe, North America, Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East.

Total: 309,800,000 speakers.

In conclusion, the analysis of the most spoken languages in the world highlights the dominance of English, followed by Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, and French. This linguistic diversity reflects the richness and complexity of global cultures and communities, emphasising the vital importance of language services in international communication.