12. German (133 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 75 million
- Non-native speakers: 58 million
How many people speak German? Unlike some other European languages that are globally widespread, German is primarily spoken in Europe. This includes not only Germany but also Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Although the population of these countries is relatively small, German is one of the most popular foreign languages. On the list of the most learned languages in the world, the language of Goethe and Schiller ranks fifth.
13. Japanese (123,1 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 123 million
- Non-native speakers: 0,1 million
Japanese is one of the few languages that is spoken exclusively within one country. In fact, over 99% of the residents have Japanese as their mother tongue. Learning Japanese as a foreign language is extremely popular among people who are interested in Japanese culture or want to do business with companies in the world's third-largest economy.
14. Nigerian Pidgin (120,7 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 4.7 million
- Total speakers: 116 million
Even today, Nigerian Pidgin, with around 121 million speakers, is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world—and that's within just one country. As Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing countries in terms of population, Nigerian Pidgin is sure to climb even higher on this list. It is estimated that by 2050, the West African nation will be the fourth-largest country in the world — just behind the United States.
15. Marathi (99 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 83 million
- Non-native speakers: 16 million
Marathi belongs to the Indo-European language family and is one of the 23 officially recognized languages in India. More specifically, it is the third most spoken language in the country. Most of its speakers are concentrated in the state of Maharashtra. Marathi is one of the oldest languages in the world and has existed in its current form for approximately 1,300 years.
16. Telugu (96 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 83 million
- Non-native speakers: 13 million
Telugu is also spoken exclusively in India and is the fourth most common language in the country after Marathi, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is primarily used in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Additionally, it is an official language in several other states. Telugu belongs to the Dravidian language family, which has existed for approximately 5,000 years.
17. Turkish (90 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 84 million
- Non-native speakers: 6million
Turkish is not only the official language of Türkiye but also of Northern Cyprus. Turkish is found regionally in Kosovo and Romania as well. Additionally, the language is spoken in other European countries, particularly among larger population groups in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, and Greece. Until 1928, Turkish was written in a modified version of the Arabic alphabet, which was then replaced by the Roman alphabet.
18. Tamil (87 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 79 million
- Total speakers: 8 million
With around 87 million speakers, Tamil is also one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is primarily spoken in India, where it is the fifth most common language, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu. Tamil is also frequently spoken by the Tamil communities in Sri Lanka and Singapore. Tamil is over 5,000 years old and is considered the oldest living language in the world today.
19. Yue Chinese (87 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 85 million
- Non-native speakers: 2 million
Yue Chinese is a group of closely related Chinese dialects, among which Cantonese is the most popular. It is primarily spoken in Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland, as well as in Hong Kong and Macau. Additionally, Cantonese is also prevalent in overseas communities, making it one of the most common Chinese dialects outside of China. There are millions of people who learn Yue Chinese but do not speak it as their first language. Worldwide, millions of people study Yue Chinese as a foreign language. The exact number of non-native speakers is difficult to determine and is estimated to be several million.
20. Vietnamese (86 million speakers)
- First language speakers: 85 million
- Non-native speakers: 1 million
Vietnamese is primarily spoken as an official language in Vietnam, but it can also be found outside the country. For example, Vietnamese is also present in the Czech Republic, where native Vietnamese speakers make up the third-largest ethnic minority in the country—after Slovaks and Ukrainians. The influence of the language is so significant that there are even radio and television programs in Vietnamese. An interesting feature of Vietnamese is that, like the Cantonese dialect of Yue Chinese, the language consists of six tones.
Conclusion: Those who know even just a couple of languages do better
It's clear that mastering all languages is impossible. However, those who already have basic knowledge of just a few of the world's most widely spoken languages can communicate with so many people. This not only allows for immediate personal contact but also provides a deeper understanding of a country's culture. So, why not explore our language courses for adults and learn the language of your next travel destination. Inspired to open your world with language skills and culture? Discover all the languages Berlitz has to offer here.
The article was first published on May 6, 2022, and updated on August 28, 2024.
