When planning your travels, have you ever wondered, how many languages exist and which ones are spoken?

The world is a mosaic of languages and cultures, with thousands of languages spread across different corners of the planet. Knowing them can help you navigate better—especially if you love exploring new places.

Whether it’s asking for directions or immersing yourself in the local culture, language plays a key role in making your experience more authentic and immersive. That’s why today, we’ll tell you which languages are the most spoken in 2025.

The Most Spoken Languages in the World: How Many Exist and Which Are the Most Used?

How Many Languages Exist Worldwide?

The number varies over time due to the recognition of new dialects and the disappearance of unused languages. However, according to Ethnologue, one of the most recognized sources in linguistic studies, there are over 7,100 languages. Though, most have few speakers.

It’s also important to consider that linguistic diversity isn’t evenly distributed. For example, Papua New Guinea is home to hundreds of non-official languages—over 800, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries.

Which Languages Are the Most Studied?

Despite the large number of languages in the world, some are studied more than others.

The most commonly learned languages include:

• English

• Spanish

• French

• German

• Italian

• Hindi

• Japanese

• Mandarin Chinese

According to Statista, Spanish and English are the most studied languages on the Duolingo learning platform.

Top 10 Most Spoken Languages in the World in 2025

Which languages are the most spoken worldwide?

Here’s the top 10 list:

1. English

English tops the ranking with approximately 1.4 billion speakers. At least 380 million are native speakers, while the rest have adopted it as a second language.

Besides being considered the universal language, it’s the most widely used in business and global finance. So, if you plan to travel abroad, we suggest using Duolingo or ChatGPT to learn English.

English is the official language of 58 countries, but it dominates in North America, Europe, Oceania, and parts of Africa and Asia.

2. Mandarin Chinese

Of all the languages in the world, you may not have expected this one in second place—or did you?

Mandarin Chinese is spoken by over 1.1 billion people and is the main language of the People's Republic of China. It is widely spoken in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.

The language has a rich literary and philosophical tradition, playing a key role in Chinese calligraphy, poetry, and martial arts. Additionally, it’s the most spoken native language in the world, with over 900 million native speakers.

3. Hindi

Hindi dominates in India and Nepal, with communities in Fiji, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mauritius. It ranks third because it has approximately 600 million speakers, with more than half being native speakers.

The language is essential for communication, Bollywood cinema, and South Asian literature. At the same time, it holds strong cultural and economic influence worldwide.

4. Spanish

Spanish has gained global importance, solidifying itself as one of the three most important languages in the world. Its growth is driven by the increasing Hispanic population, as well as its cultural influence in music, film, and literature.

Among its 550+ million speakers, at least 485 million are native speakers. Spanish is dominant in Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., reinforcing its position as a key international language.

5. French

French is considered the language of diplomacy and the arts. It is the primary language in strong economies like France, Switzerland, and Monaco, where strong currencies such as the euro and Swiss franc circulate.

However, it’s one of the few languages where non-native speakers outnumber native speakers. It has over 300 million total speakers, but only 80 million are native speakers.

6. Arabic

Aside from being one of the oldest languages, Arabic is the official language of 25 countries in Africa and Asia. It is spoken in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, and the UAE.

Arabic has around 274 million speakers, but unlike other languages, all are native speakers. Although there are numerous regional dialects, Modern Standard Arabic serves as the linguistic bridge across Arab countries.

7. Bengali

Bengali is the seventh most spoken language in the world and plays a crucial role in the cultural and national identity of Bangladesh. It boasts a rich literary tradition and is known for its philosophical depth and poetic beauty.

Today, over 270 million people speak Bengali, mainly in Bangladesh, where it is the official language. It also has a strong presence in India, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura.

8. Russian

Spoken by 258 million people, Russian is the primary language in four countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan.

It is also used in former Soviet Union countries like Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Moldova, where it remains due to Russia’s historical and cultural influence.

As the language of the largest country in the world, Russian has become significant in various sectors, including politics.

9. Portuguese

Following Russian closely, Portuguese has an estimated 257 million speakers worldwide. It is the official language in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and more.

However, Brazil accounts for 80% of Portuguese speakers, solidifying its influence in Latin America.

10. Urdu

Urdu concludes the list as the official language of Pakistan and a co-official language in India. It is widely spoken in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, as well as other regional dialects.

With over 230 million speakers, Urdu has significant communities in countries with South Asian diasporas, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

These are the most spoken languages in the world, according to Statista estimates.

Speaking the language of the place you are visiting can make all the difference to your experience. And although English is widely used, many people prefer to communicate in their native language. This is something to keep in mind when planning your next adventure.

Check out these travel tips to further enrich your experience.

Languages at Risk of Disappearing

According to UNESCO's 2022 estimates, 40% of today’s languages are at risk of extinction.

Some of the most critically endangered languages include:

• Ainu (Japan).

• Resígaro (Peru).

• Njerep (Nigeria, Mambila tribe).

• Hixkaryana (Brazil).

• Puelche (Argentina, nearly extinct).

Endangered languages represent an irreplaceable loss for the world's cultural and linguistic diversity.

Conclusion

Languages are a fundamental part of the cultural and social identity of each region and speaking them will allow you to better connect with the people of the country you are visiting. 

Knowing which are the most spoken languages in the world can open up new opportunities and make your adventure even more memorable.

Are you passionate about discovering new places?

We recommend you keep an eye on events like Hot Travel to find attractive promotions. Here you can also check out trends to learn about the world's most visited destinations.

And don't forget to order your DolarCard from DolarApp to pay your expenses with digital dollars when traveling abroad. 

FAQs

In how many countries is Spanish spoken?

Spanish is spoken in 21 countries, with the majority of the population being native speakers from Latin America. However, it also has a large community of speakers in Spain, Equatorial Guinea, the United States, and the Philippines.

What is the hardest language in the world?

Mandarin Chinese is often considered the most difficult language to learn. First, because of its logographic writing system, where each character has a unique meaning. Second, due to its tonal system, which changes the meaning of words based on pronunciation.

Which language has official status in the most countries?

English, as it is the most widely recognized official language, being the primary language of 58 countries. Its historical expansion is due to the influence of the United Kingdom and the United States. This is why it is widely used in diplomacy and international trade.