The number of people who speak a language is a measure of its reach. This number includes both native speakers and those who learn it as a second language.
The list of the world’s most spoken languages changes over time, as populations grow and global influence shifts.
The data for 2025, provided by Ethnologue, shows that a few languages dominate the world. The top languages have billions of speakers. This is because they are tied to large populations or have been spread through history by global trade and politics. The list includes languages with millions of speakers.
This article explores the top 10 languages on the list. From well-known languages to lesser-known ones.
1. English
Total Speakers: 1.53 billion
English is the world’s most spoken language. Its huge number of speakers comes from its history as a global language. It is the language of business, science, and technology. It is also the most common language used on the internet.
The English language has spread all over the world. It is an official language in 67 countries. It is also a key second language in many others. This is why its total number of speakers is so high. It is used in many different parts of the world.
English continues to be a major language for global communication. It is a key tool for people who work in finance, tech, and many other fields. Its strong position at the top of this list shows its lasting influence.
2. Mandarin Chinese
Total Speakers: 1.18 billion
Mandarin Chinese is the world’s second most spoken language. The vast majority of its speakers are in China. China’s large population makes Mandarin one of the most important languages in the world.
Mandarin is the official language of China and Taiwan. Its use is growing in the business world. As China’s economy grows, Mandarin is becoming more important for global trade and relations.
Learning Mandarin is now seen as a good skill for business. Many people are learning it for new job opportunities. It is also a language with a rich culture and a long history.
3. Hindi
Total Speakers: 609 million
Hindi is the third most spoken language in the world. Most of its speakers live in India. India’s large population has made Hindi a language with a massive number of speakers.
Hindi is an official language of India. It is a key part of Indian culture. It is used in movies, music, and television. Hindi also has a growing number of speakers in other countries due to migration.
The number of Hindi speakers continues to grow. This is due to the rising population of India. Hindi is a major language in Asia. It has a strong and growing presence in the world.
4. Spanish
Total Speakers: 558 million
Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world. Its high number of speakers comes from its history. It was spread around the world by the Spanish Empire.
Spanish is an official language in 20 countries. Most of its speakers are in Central and South America. The United States also has a very large number of Spanish speakers. This makes it a major language in the Americas.
Spanish is a major language for business and culture. It is one of the most widely studied languages in the world. Its strong presence in so many countries makes it a truly global language.
5. Standard Arabic
Total Speakers: 335 million
Standard Arabic is the fifth most spoken language. This form of Arabic is used in books, media, and formal settings. It is the official language of 26 countries.
Standard Arabic is very different from the many Arabic dialects that people speak every day. It is used to unite speakers across the Arab world. People of different countries that may not understand each other’s dialects, they use Standard Arabic to communicate.
Arabic has a long and rich history. It is the language of the Quran. Its use in religious and formal settings has kept it as a major language for millions of people.
6. French
Total Speakers: 312 million
French is a major global language. Its high number of speakers comes from a long history of French influence in Europe, Africa, and North America. It is an official language in 29 countries.
French is the second most studied language in the world. It is a major language in diplomacy and international relations. It is also the official language of many international organizations, like the United Nations.
French culture and language are very important in many parts of the world. It is spoken by many people as a second language, especially in Africa. This shows its lasting influence.
7. Bengali
Total Speakers: 284 million
Bengali is the seventh most spoken language. The vast majority of its speakers are in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a key language in South Asia.
Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh. It is also a national language of India. It has a very rich literary history. Its strong presence is a result of a large and growing population.
The number of Bengali speakers continues to grow. It is a major language for culture, literature, and daily life in its home region.
8. Portuguese
Total Speakers: 267 million
Portuguese is the eighth most spoken language. Its high number of speakers is mostly due to the large population of Brazil. It is also the official language of countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Portuguese was spread by the Portuguese Empire. Today, it is a key language for business in South America and Africa. The Community of Portuguese Language Countries works to promote the language and culture.
Portuguese is a major language in the Southern Hemisphere. Its growing number of speakers in Africa makes it a very important language for the future.
9. Russian
Total Speakers: 253 million
Russian is the ninth most spoken language. It is the most spoken language in Europe. Its number of speakers is a result of the historical influence of the Soviet Union.
Russian is the official language of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is also widely used in many countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. This makes it a major language in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Russian has a long history of great literature. It is also an official language of the United Nations. This shows its importance in global affairs.
10. Indonesian
Total Speakers: 252 million
Indonesian is the tenth most spoken language in the world. It is the official language of Indonesia. Its large number of speakers is due to the country’s huge population.
Indonesia is a country with hundreds of local languages. Indonesian was created as a national language to unite the many islands. The language is based on Malay, a language of trade.
Because of this, most people in Indonesia speak it as a second language. They speak their local language at home. This makes it a very important language for business and daily life in the country.
