From English to Mandarin – The Most Widely Spoken Languages

Ranking the Top Languages

Some languages are so common that millions to billions of people not only understand but also use them. Which are they?

English

As of 2023 statistics, English was the most widely used language, boasting at least 1.5 million speakers. While most of these are native speakers in regions such as the United Kingdom and Australia, many are second-language speakers from countries such as India and Nigeria.

So, why is it so widely spoken? Many factors have contributed to its growth. However, British colonization, trade, and industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries played a huge role in this regard.

Mandarin Chinese

Have you noticed the increase in the number of people seeking to speak Mandarin Chinese? Well, with 1.1 billion speakers around the world, it makes sense that more people would want to understand the language to ease their communication with its native speakers. After all, this is a key language in China, Singapore, Taiwan, and many other Chinese communities.

Part of the reason this language appeals to many people is its economic perks. With China’s economic power growing, it continues to gain global significance. Anyone who can speak Mandarin Chinese stands to benefit from this, be it through landing a job or securing an investment that otherwise would not be available to someone who could not speak the language.

Hindi

How many people would you think speak Hindi? It might surprise you that the stats show that at least 615 million people do! While many of the native speakers are from India and Nepal, this language has been growing by leaps and yards over the years. Why is that?

For one, it is the predominant language in Bollywood, an industry that offers scores of opportunities to people in the entertainment industry. Secondly, as India seeks to preserve its culture, parents pass down this language to their children, ensuring that the language grows as the population does.

Spanish

You probably expected this language to make it to the list. After all, with hits like “Money Heist” igniting interest in Spanish, more people have been angling to learn more about this language. And so far, it has at least 560 million speakers, both native and non-native. While many of these are in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America, Spanish speakers have quickly spread across the globe. Why is this?

Entertainment aside, this language has historical roots tied to Spain’s colonial empire that spread through the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Native speakers have built on this foundation through their literary works and films.

French

With shows like “Emily in Paris” romanticizing France, many people have sought to learn the language, citing that it oozes elegance. But how many have succeeded? Statistics show that at least 320 million people understand and use the language. Most of these speakers are from France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Africa. With more people eager to tour Paris and place their orders in French, this list is sure to grow.

Which factors are behind this growth? Well, like with many languages, colonization has much to do with this. Take African countries as an example. Those under France’s rule adopted French as a national language and use it to this day.

Standard Arabic

We may all know that Middle Eastern countries use Arabic as their primary language. But did you know that this language is also common in North African countries? It’s no wonder that recent statistics show that at least 310 million people speak this language. So, how did it spread?

Arabic’s roots and spread often come down to Islam. With the Quran originally being in Arabic, many people have sought to understand the language. But it’s not just about religion. It also grew as a result of trade ties in the past, which remain to this day.