Top Ten Most Widely Spoken Languages in the World

In the modern world there are an estimated 6800 to 6900 distinct languages spoken. With that being said, here are the top ten most widely spoken languages in the world:

10

Punjabi

Primarily spoken in: Punjab region (Pakistan and India)

Native speakers: 96 millioni

Percentage of world population: 1.44%

9

Japanese

Primarily spoken in: Japan

Native speakers: 127 million

Percentage of world population: 1.92%

8

Russian

Primarily spoken in: Russia, former Republics of the Soviet Union, Mongolia, and Israel

Native speakers: 160 million

Percentage of world population: 2.42%

7

Bengali

Primarily spoken in: Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Tripura

Native speakers: 202 million

Percentage of world population: 3.05%

6

Portuguese

Primarily spoken in: Angola, Brazil, Mozambique, and Portugal

Native speakers: 204 million

Percentage of world population: 3.08%

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5

Arabic

Primarily spoken in: North Africa and Middle East

Native speaker: 280 million

Percentage of world population: 4.23%

4

Hindi

Primarily spoken in: India

Native speakers: 295 million

Percentage of world population: 4.46%

3

English

Primarily spoken in: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and South Africa

Native speakers: 365 million

Percentage of world population: 5.52%

2

Spanish

Primarily spoken in: Latin America, Spain, United States, and Equatorial Guinea

Native speakers: 407 million

Percentage of world population: 5.85%

1

Mandarin

Primarily spoken in: China, Taiwan, and Singapore

Native speakers: 935 million

Percentage of world population: 14.1%