List of languages by number of native speakers
This is a list of languages ordered by number of first-language speakers, with some data for second-language use. Only languages spoken natively by more than one million are listed, and then they are listed for secondary locations only when spoken by more than 1% of the population.
For practical reasons in compiling this list, some listings are not single languages in the sense of being mutually intelligible, such as Chinese or Arabic; while in other cases mutually intelligible idioms with separate national standards or self identification have been listed separately, such as Scandinavian, Hindustani, and Malay. This should not be taken as an endorsement of any side of language versus dialect debates.
Data are not all up to date.
For the purposes of this article, a 'first language' is a language a person was raised with, while a 'second language' is a language of instruction or daily communication. Thus a person may have more than one first language.
For a comparison of various estimates, see Language speaker data. For languages spoken by very few people, and so in danger of extinction, see list of endangered languages.
100 million native speakers or more
| Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Sino-Tibetan | Official in People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Hong Kong (People's Republic of China), Macau (People's Republic of China), Singapore. Significant communities in Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Christmas Island (Australia), France (French Polynesia, Réunion), Guam (United States), Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands (United States), Philippines, Surinam, Thailand, United States (California, Hawaii, New York), Venezuela, Vietnam | All Chinese, 1080 million native (1999): Mandarin 873 million native, 178 million second language, = 1,051 million total (1999 WA); Shanghainese (Wu) 77 million (1984: no recent data); Cantonese (Yue) 55 million (1984: no recent data); Southern Min (Taiwanese) 46 million (1984: no recent data); Jin 45 million (1995); Xiang 36 million (1984: no recent data); Hakka 30 million (1984: no recent data); Gan 21 million (1984: no recent data); Northern Min (Fuzhou) 10.3 million (1984: no recent data); Eastern Min 9.1 million (2000 WCD); Hui 3.2 million; Pu-Xian Min 2.6 million (2000 WCD). |
| Hindi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in India, Fiji. Significant communities in Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Mauritius, Nepal, South Africa, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Yemen | 370 million native, 120 million second language, = 490 total (Indiana University 2003, WA 2004); 495 million total (WA 2005). Western and Eastern Hindi, including Awadhi (21 million, 1999), Bhojpuri (27 million, 1997), Chhattisgarhi (11 million, 1997), Haryanvi (13 million, 1992), Kanauji (6 million, 1977), Marwari (13 million, 2002), Magahi (13 million, 2002), Maithili (25 million, 1981). (Note: Maithili is the official language of Bihar, but often considered a dialect of Hindi) |
| Spanish | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Iberian | Official in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, United States (New Mexico, Puerto Rico), Uruguay, Venezuela. Significant communities in Andorra, Aruba, Belize, Cayman Islands (UK), Gibraltar (UK), Israel, Netherlands Antilles (Netherlands), Switzerland, United States, United States Virgin Islands (US) | ~350 million native, 70 million second language, = 420 million total (Indiana University 2003); ~360 million native (new WA 2004 figure); 320 million native, 425 million total (WA 2005 [reverted to 1999 data]) |
| English | Indo-European, Germanic, West, Anglic | Official inAkrotiri and Dhekelia (UK), Anguilla (UK), Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda (UK), Botswana, British Virgin Islands (UK), Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Caymand Islands (UK), Cook Islands (New Zealand), Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (UK), Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar (UK), Grenada, Guernsey (UK), Guyana, Hong Kong (People's Republic of China), India, Ireland, Isle of Man (UK), Jamaica, Jersey (UK), Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat (UK), Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue (New Zealand), Norfolk Island (Australia), Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands (UK), Rwanda, Saint Helena (UK), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tokelau (New Zealand), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands (UK), Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States (national but unofficial language; official in some states), Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Significant communities in Andorra, Aruba (Netherlands), Israel, France (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon), Switzerland. | 340 million native, 510 million total (Indiana University 2003, WA 2004); 310 million native, 515 million total (WA 2005 [reverted to 1999 data]) |
| Arabic | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South Central | Modern Standard Arabic is official in Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt (along with Egyptian Arabic as the national language), Eritrea, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Yemen. Hassaniya Arabic is official in Mauritania, Senegal; and a national language of Mali. Significant communities in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Central African Republic, France, Gibraltar (UK), Iran, Spain (Ceuta and Melilla). | 206 million native, 24 million second language, = 230 million total, for all varieties of Arabic (WA 1999); 255 million total (2005 WA). Egyptian Arabic: 46 million native. Hassaniya: 2.8 million native. Modern Standard Arabic is a second language only. |
| Portuguese | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Iberian | Official in Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Macau (People's Republic of China), Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé e Príncipe. Significant communities in Andorra, Antigua, France, India (Daman and Goa), Luxembourg, Namibia, Paraguay, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela. | 203 million native (196 million, 2005 WA, plus 60% Angola), 10 million second language, = 213 million total (not counting 4 million Galician) |
| Bengali | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Magadhan, Assamese-Bengali | Official in Bangladesh, India (Tripura and West Bengal). Significant communities in Burma, Oman, United Arab Emirates | 196 million native, counting 14 million Chittagonian, 10.3 million Sylheti (1994 UBS); 211 million total (1999 WA); 215 million total (2005 WA) |
| Russian | Indo-European, Slavic, East | Official in Abkhazia (de jure part of Georgia), Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Transnistria (de jure part of Moldova). Significant communities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan | 145 million native (1999 WA), 110 million second language, = 255 million total (2000, WCD) |
| Japanese | Japonic | Official in Japan and Palau (Angaur Island). Significant communities in Guam (US), United States (Hawaii) | 126 million native (1999 WA), 1 million second language (Ryukyuan) |
| Punjabi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone (Eastern Punjabi) or North-Western Zone (Western Punjabi) | Official in India (Punjab). National language in Pakistan (Punjab). Significant communities in Canada, Fiji, Mauritius, United Kingdom | Western: 61–62 million (2000, WCD); Eastern: 28 million; Siraiki 14 million, = 104 million total |
30–100 million native speakers
| Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | Indo-European, Germanic, West, High Germanic | Official in Austria, Belgium, Denmark (South Jutland County), Germany, Italy (South Tyrol), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Poland] (?), Switzerland. Significant communities in Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Paraguay. | 95 million native, 28 million second language, = 123 million total (not including Swiss German) |
| Javanese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Sundic | Indonesia (especially Java). Significant communities in Malaysia, New Caledonia (France), Suriname | 76 million |
| Korean | Language isolate | Official in North Korea, South Korea. Native to People's Republic of China. Significant communities in Australia, Guam (US), Japan, Mauritania, Northern Mariana Islands (US), United States (Hawaii) | 71 million |
| Vietnamese | Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong | Official in Vietnam. Native to Vietnam and People's Republic of China. Significant communities in Australia, Cambodia, Laos, New Caledonia (France), Norway, United States (California), Vanuatu. | 70 million native, perhaps up to 16 million second language, = ~ 86 million total |
| Telugu | Dravidian, South Central | Official in India (Andhra Pradesh). Significant communities in Bahrain, Fiji, Mauritius | 70 million native, 5 million second language, = 75 million total (1997) |
| Marathi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone | Official in India (Daman and Diu, Goa, Maharashtra). Significant communities in Mauritius. | 68 million native, 3 million second language, = 71 million total |
| Tamil | Dravidian, Southern | Official in India (Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry), Singapore, Sri Lanka. Significant communities in Bahrain, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, France (Réunion). | 68 million native, 9 million second language, = 77 million total |
| French | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Oïl | Official in Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France (including French Guiana, Guadaloupe, Réunion, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon), French Polynesia (France), Gabon, Guernsey (UK), Guinea, Haiti, India (Pondicherry), Italy, Jersey (UK), Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Monaco, New Caledonia (France), Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, United States (Louisiana), Vanuatu. Significant communities in New Zealand. | 67 million native (2005 estimate); 130 million total (2005 WA) |
| Persian | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern | Official in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, France, Germany, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, USA, Uzbekistan | 61-71 million native (including 50-60% of Iran, 40% of Afghanistan, 15-30% of Uzbekistan), may include Mazanderani and Gilaki; ~50 million second language, 110 million total (2005)2 |
| Urdu | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone | Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir), Pakistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, Botswana, Fiji, Malawi?, Mauritius, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa? | 61 million native, 43 million second language, = 104 million total |
| Italian | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italian | Official in Croatia, Italy, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Vatican City. Significant communities in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Uruguay | 61 million native (all varieties) |
| Turkish | Altaic, Turkic, Southwestern, Oghuz | Official in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkey. Significant communities in Australia, Austria, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands. | 60 million native, 15 million second language, = 75 million total (2005 estimate). Total for Oghuz Turkish, including Azeri, Turkmen, and Qashqai, is 100 million native. |
| Gujarati | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone | Official in India (Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli). Significant communities in Fiji. | 46 million |
| Polish | Indo-European, Slavic, West | Official in Poland. Significant communities in Belarus, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine. | 46 million |
| Ukrainian | Indo-European, Slavic, East | Official in Ukraine, Transnistria (de jure part of Moldova). Significant communities in Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Slovakia | 39 million |
| Malayalam | Dravidian, Southern | Official in India (Kerala, Lakshadweep). Significant communities in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates | 36 million (1997) |
| Kannada | Dravidian, Southern | Official in India (Karnataka). | 35 million native, 9 million second language, = 44 million total (1997) |
| Oriya | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Magadhi | Official in India (Orissa). | 32 million native (1997) |
| Burmese | Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese | Official in Myanmar. | 32 million native, 10 million second language, = 42 million total |
| Thai | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Be-Tai, Tai-Sek, Tai | Official in Thailand. | ~31 million native (1983 SIL, 1990 Diller, 2000 WCD) (dated data), = ~60 million first & second language (2001 A. Diller). Includes Southern Thai, Northern Thai/Western Lao, but not Shan, Isan, or Lao. |
10–30 million native speakers
| Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundanese | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western, Sundic | Indonesia (western Java) | 27 million (1990) |
| Azeri | Altaic, Turkic, Southwestern, Oghuz | Official in Azerbaijan. Native to Iran. Significant communities in Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, Iraq. | 21-33 million native, including Qashqai (data for Iran uncertain); 8 million second language (outside Iran) |
| Kurdish | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern | Official in Iraq. Native in Armenia, Iran, Syria, Turkey. Significant communities in Germany, Lebanon. | ~26 million (assuming 20% of Turkey) |
| Pashto | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern | Official in Afghanistan. Native to Pakistan. Significant communities in Iran, United Arab Emirates. | 21–27 million (data uncertain; ethnic population ~30 million) |
| Hausa | Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West | Official language of Niger, north Nigeria. Significant communities in Chad, Sudan | 24 million native, ~ 15 million second language, = ~ 40 million total |
| Romanian | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern | Official in Moldova, Romania, Vojvodina (province in Serbia). Significant communities in Greece, Hungary, Israel, Spain and Serbia and Montenegro. | 24–26 million (2002) |
| Indonesian | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western, Sundic, Malayic | Official in Indonesia. Significant communities in the Netherlands, Timor-Leste | 23 million native, 140+ million second language, = 165 million total; 175 million total all Malay (2005 WA) |
| Tagalog | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, West | Official in Philippines. Significant communities in Canada, Hong Kong (People's Republic of China), Guam (US), Northern Mariana Islands (US), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States (Alaska, California, Hawaii, New York). | 22 million native (2000 census), ~65 million second language, = 85 million total |
| Uzbek | Altaic, Turkic, Eastern | Official in Uzbekistan. Native to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan | 20 million (1995) |
| Sindhi | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in India, Pakistan. Significant communities in People's Republic of China (Hong Kong) ?, Oman?. | 20 million native, 1 million second language, = 21 million total (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Yoruba | Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid | Official in Nigeria. Significant communities in Benin | 19 million native, 2 million second language, = 21 million total (1993) |
| Somali | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic | Official in Somalia. Native to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya. Significant communities in United Arab Emirates, Yemen | 13-25 million (2004 WCD) |
| Lao | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai | Official in Laos. Native to Thailand. | ~19 million Lao-Phutai dialects (including Isan) (data dated) |
| Oromo | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic | National language of Ethiopia. Significant communities in Kenya | 18 million native (ethnic group 30 million), perhaps 2 million second language, = 20 million total (1998 census) |
| Cebuano | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, West, Central Philippine | Philippines | 18.5 million (2000 census) |
| Malay | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western, Sundic, Malayic | Official in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore. Native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. Significant communities in Australia, Bahrain. | 18 million native, 3 million second language, = 21 million total (not counting Indonesian) |
| Igbo | Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Igboid | Official in Nigeria | 18 million native (1999 WA), unknown number second language. |
| Dutch | Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Germanic, Low Franconian | Official in Aruba, Belgium, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Suriname. | 17 million native, 4 million second language in Netherlands, = 21+ million total (2000) |
| Amharic | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South | Official in Ethiopia. Significant communities in Israel. | 17 million native, 4 million second language, = 21 million total (1998 census) |
| Malagasy | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, West | Official in Madagascar. Significant communities in Mayotte, Réunion. | 17 million |
| Nepali | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in India (Sikkim), Nepal. Significant communities in Bhutan. | 17 million native (2001 census), perhaps 10–15 million second language? |
| Assamese | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in India (Assam). Significant communities in Bhutan. | 15 million (1997) |
| Hungarian | Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Ugric | Official in Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia. Significant communities in Israel, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine | 15 million |
| Shona | Niger-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantu | National language of Zimbabwe. Significant communities in Botswana, Mozambique. | 15 million native, 1.8 million second language, = 16-17 million total, including Ndau, Manyika (2000 A. Chebanne) |
| Khmer | Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer | Official in Cambodia. Significant communities in Thailand, Vietnam | 14 million native, 1 million second language, = 15 million total (2004) |
| Zhuang | Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai | Official in People's Republic of China | 14 million native (1992), unknown number second language |
| Madura | Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, West | Indonesia | 14 million (1995) |
| Sinhala | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan | Official in Sri Lanka. Significant communities in United Arab Emirates | 13 million native, 2 million second language, = 15 million total (1993) |
| Fulani | Niger-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian | Official in Niger, Nigeria, Senegal. National language of Guinea, Mali. Significant communities in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sierra Leone. | ~13 million (all varieties) |
| Tamazight | Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern | National language inAlgeria (Kabyle), Morocco. Significant communities in France, Netherlands, Spain (Ceuta & Melilla). | 13+ million (1998) |
| Czech | Indo-European, Slavic, West Slavic | Official in Czech Republic. | 12 million (1990 WA). |
| Greek | Indo-European, Greek | Official in Cyprus, Greece. Significant communities in Albania, Australia, Egypt, Georgia. | 12 million (2004) |
| Serbian | Indo-European, Slavic, South | Official in Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Significant communities in Australia, Sweden, Switzerland. | 11 million (1981 WA) |
| Quechua | Quechuan | Official in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru. Significant communities in Argentina | 10.4 million, all varieties |
3–10 million native speakers
| Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zulu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho, Swaziland | 9.6 million native, ~16 million second language, = ~25 million total (1996 census) |
| Chichewa (Nyanja) | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Malawi, Zambia. Significant communities in Mozambique, Zimbabwe. | 9.3 million native (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk), 0.4 million second language (1999 WA), = 9.7 million total |
| Belarusian | Indo-European, Slavic, East | Official in Belarus. Significant communities in Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania | 9.1 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Swedish | Indo-European, Germanic | National language of Sweden. Official inÅland (Finland), Finland | 8.8 million (1986) |
| Kongo | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language in Angola, Congo-Brazzaville (Kituba), Congo-Kinshasa. | 8.7 million, all varieties, including Yombe and creolized Kituba (1986-2002) (dated data) |
| Akan | Niger-Congo, Kwa | National language in Ghana | 8.3 million native, ~1 million second language, = ~10 million total (2004 SIL) |
| Kazakh | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Kazakhstan. Significant communities in People's Republic of China (Xinjiang), Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan | 8.2 million |
| Hmong | Hmong-Mien | China. Significant communities in France (French Guiana), Laos, United States (Minnesota), Vietnam | ~8 million, all varieties (1999 Li Yunbing) |
| Yi | Tibeto-Burman | People's Republic of China | 7.8 million ethnic Yi (2000 census) |
| Tshiluba | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Congo-Kinshasa | 7.8 million native, 0.7 million second language, = 8.5 million total (1991 UBS). Includes 1.5 million Kiluba. |
| Ilokano | Austronesian | Philippines. Significant communities in United States (Hawaii). | 7.7 million native (2000 census), unknown number second language (1991 UBS) |
| Uyghur | Altaic, Turkic | Official in People's Republic of China (Xinjiang). Significant communities in Kazakhstan | 7.6 million |
| Haitian Creole | Indo-European, Romance, Creole | Official in Haiti. Significant communities in Bahamas, Cayman Islands (UK), Dominican Republic, France (Guadeloupe). | 7.4 million (2001) |
| Kinyarwanda | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Rwanda. Significant communities in Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda | 7.3 million (1998) |
| Xhosa | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho | 7.2 million (1996 census) |
| Balochi | Indo-European, Iranian | Native to Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan. Significant communities in Oman, United Arab Emirates | 7.0 million (1998) |
| Bulgarian | Indo-European, Slavic, South | Official in Bulgaria. Significant communities in Moldova. | ~7 million (2005) |
| Hiligaynon | Austronesian | Philippines | 6.9 million (2000 census), unknown number second language |
| Catalan | Indo-European, Romance | Official in Andorra, Spain (Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Valencia). Native to France (Pyrénées-Orientales), Italy (Alghero). | 6.7 million native, ~5 million second language, = ~12 million total (1996) (includes Valencian) |
| Armenian | Indo-European, isolate | Official in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh (de jure part of Azerbaijan). Significant communities in Georgia, Lebanon, Syria. | 6.7 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk, etc.) |
| Minangkabau | Austronesian | Indonesia | 6.5 million (1981 Moussay) (dated data) |
| Turkmen | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Turkmenistan. Significant communities in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq. | 6.4 million (1995) |
| Makua | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Mozambique. Significant communities in Tanzania | 6.4 million, all varieties, including Lomwe |
| Croatian | Indo-European, Slavic, South | Official in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia. Significant communities in Austria, Slovenia | 6.2 million |
| Santali | Austro-Asiatic, Munda | Official in India | 6.2 million (1997) |
| Batak | Austronesian | Indonesia | ~6.2 million, all varieties (c. 1991 UBS) (dated data). Includes Toba, Dairi, Simalungun, etc. |
| Albanian | Indo-European, isolate | Official in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro (Kosovo). Significant communities in Greece. | 6.0 million (data from Albania dated) |
| Afrikaans | Indo-European, Germanic | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Namibia. | 6.0 million native, 10.3 million second language, = 16 million total (1996 census) |
| Swiss German | Indo-European, Germanic | Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany (Schwaben), France (Alsace). | 6.0 million in Switzerland (1990 census) (dated data) |
| Mongolian | Altaic, Mongolian | Official in People's Republic of China (Inner Mongolia), Mongolia | 5.7 million |
| Bhili | Indo-European, Indic | India | 5.6 million, all varieties (1994) (dated data). Includes 1.6 million Wagdi, etc. |
| Finnish | Uralic, Finnic | Official in Finland, Russia (Republic of Karelia). Significant communities in Sweden. | 5.4 million (1993) (dated data) |
| Gikuyu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Kenya | 5.3 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) |
| Danish | Indo-European, Germanic | Official in Denmark, Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark). Significant communities in Germany (Southern Schleswig) | 5.3 million (1980) (dated data) |
| Hebrew | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic | Official in Israel. Significant communities in West Bank (Palestinian Territories). | 5.1 million (1998) |
| Slovak | Indo-European, Slavic, West | Official in Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia. | 5.0 million (1990 WA) |
| Mòoré | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Burkina Faso | ~5 million (1991) |
| Swahili | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Tanzania. Significant communities in Comoros, Mayotte, Oman, Réunion. | ~5 million native, ~40 million second language |
| Guarani | Tupi | Official in Paraguay. Significant communities in Argentina. | 4.9 million (1995) |
| Kirundi | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Burundi. | 4.9 million (1986) (dated data) |
| Sesotho (southern) | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Lesotho, South Africa. | 4.9 million (1996 census) |
| Sicilian | Indo-European, Romance | Native to Italy. | 4.8 million (2000 WCD) |
| Romani | Indo-European, Indic | Significant communities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran, Macedonia, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Turkey | 4.8 million, all varieties, including Domari (data for Vlax 2002–2004; for Domari 2000 WCD). |
| Norwegian | Indo-European, Germanic | Official in Norway. | 4.6 million [Wikipedia figure; needs confirmation] |
| Tibetan | Tibeto-Burman | Official in People's Republic of China (Tibet) | 4.6 million, all varieties |
| Kanuri | Nilo-Saharan, Saharan | Official in Niger, Nigeria. Significant communities in Chad (Kanembu) | 4.4 million native, 0.5 million second language, = 4.9 million total (data mostly from 1985) (dated data) |
| Tswana | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Botswana, South Africa. National language of Namibia | 4.4 million native, 0.2 million second language, = 4.6 million total (1993 Johnstone) (dated data) |
| Kashmiri | Indo-European, Indic | Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir), Native to Pakistan. | 4.6 million (1997) |
| Tigrinya | Afro-Asiatic, Semitic | Official in Eritrea, Ethiopia | 4.5 million native, 0.1 million second language, = 4.6 million total (1998 census) |
| Georgian | Kartvelian | Official in Georgia. Significant communities in Israel. | 4.2 million (1993 UBS) |
| Umbundu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Angola | ~4 million native, unknown number second language (1995 WA) |
| Konkani | Indo-European, Indic | Official in India (Goa) | ~4 million (1999 WA) |
| Balinese | Austronesian | Indonesia (Bali) | 3.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Northern Sotho (sePedi) | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Botswana | 3.7 million (1996 census) |
| Bikol | Austronesian | Philippines | 3.7 native (2000 census), unknown number second language |
| Luyia | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 3.6 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
| Wolof | Niger-Congo, Atlantic | Official in Senegal. Significant communities in The Gambia. | 3.6 million native (2002), unknown number second language |
| Bemba | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Zambia | 3.6 million native, unknown number second language (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Buginese | Austronesian | Indonesia | 3.5 million native, 0.5 million second language, = ~4 million total (1991 SIL) |
| Luo | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Kenya | 3.5 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
| Bikol | Austronesian | Philippines | 3.5 million all varieties (1990 census) |
| Maninka | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Guinea, Mali. Significant numbers in Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone. | 3.3 million, all varieties |
| Mazanderani | Indo-European, Iranian | Iran | 3.3 million (1993) (dated data) (numbers may be confused with or include Gilaki) |
| Gilaki | Indo-European, Iranian | Iran | 3.3 million (1993) (dated data) (numbers may be confused with or include Mazanderani) |
| Shan | Tai-Kadai | Myanmar | 3.3 million |
| Tsonga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Mozambique, Swaziland. | 3.3 million (1989, 1996) (dated data) |
| Galician | Indo-European, Romance. | Official in Spain. | 3.2 million (1986) (data dated) |
| Sukuma | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | 3.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Yiddish | Indo-European, Germanic | Significant communities in Belarus, Israel, Latvia, Ukraine. | 3.2 million |
| Jamaican Creole | Indo-European, Germanic, Creole | Jamaica. Significant communities in Panama, Costa Rica | 3.2 million (2001) |
| Kyrgyz | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Kyrgyzstan. Native to Tajikistan | 3.1 million (1993 UBS) (dated data) |
| Waray-Waray | Austronesian | Philippines | 3.1 native (2000 census), unknown number second language |
| Ewe | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Official in Togo. National language of Ghana. | 3.1 million native, 0.5 million second language, = 3.6 million total (2003) |
| Lithuanian | Indo-European, Baltic | Official in Lithuania. Significant communities in Latvia. | 3.1 million (1998) |
| Luganda | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Uganda | 3.0 million native (1991 census), ~1 million second language (1999 WA), = ~ 4 million total |
| Achinese | Austronesian | Indonesia | ~3 million (1999 WA) |
| Kimbundu | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Angola | ~3 million (1999 WA) |
| Hindko | Indo-European, Indic | Pakistan | ~3 million (1993) (dated data) |
| Ibibio-Efik | Niger-Congo, Cross River | Efik official in Nigeria | ~3 million, including Anaang (1990; 1998 B. Connell) (dated data) |
1–3 million native speakers
| Language | Family | Official status and where spoken natively, or as an immigrant language, by more than 1% of the population | Number of speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajbangsi | Indo-European, Indic | India | 3.0 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
| Garhwali | Indo-European, Indic | India | 2.9 million (2000) |
| Bambara | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Mali | 2.8 million native, 10 million second language, = 13 million total |
| Ometo | Afro-Asiatic, Omotic | Ethiopia | 2.8 million, all varieties, including Wolaytta (1998 census) |
| Indian Sign Language | Language isolate (Sign language) | Bangladesh, India, Pakistan | 2.7 million in India, plus unknown number in Bangladesh, Pakistan (2003). Same language as Pakistani Sign Language |
| Betawi creole | Austronesian | Indonesia | 2.7 million (1993 Johnstone) (dated data) |
| Karen | Tibetan-Burman | Myanmar, Thailand | 2.6 million, all varieties (dated data) |
| Gondi | Dravidian | India | 2.6 million (1997) |
| Senoufo | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Mali. Native to Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire. | 2.6 million, all varieties (1991, 1993, 2001) (dated data) |
| Kalenjin | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Kenya | 2.5 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
| Kumauni | Indo-European, Indic | India | 2.4 million in India (1998) |
| Kamba | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 2.4 million native, 0.6 million second language, = 3.0 million total (1989 census) (dated data) |
| Luri | Indo-European, Iranian | Iran | 2.4 million (1999, 2001) |
| Quiché | Mayan | Guatemala | 2.3 million (2000 SIL) |
| Kapampangan | Austronesian | Philippines | 2.3 million (2000 census) |
| Bosniak | Indo-European, Slavic, South | Official in Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1.8–2.7 million (2004) [needs verification] |
| Aymara | Aymaran | Official in Bolivia, Peru. Significant numbers in Argentina. | 2.2 million Central Aymara (1987), plus unknown number Southern Aymara in Peru (dated data; needs confirmation) |
| Tiv | Niger-Congo, Bantoid | Nigeria | 2.2 million native, unknown number second language (1991 UBS) (dated data) |
| Brahui | Dravidian | Pakistan, Afghanistan | 2.2 million |
| Gbaya | Niger-Congo, Ubangian | Central African Republic, Congo-Kinshasa | 2.2 million, all varieties, including Ngbaka (2000 WCD) |
| Zarma | Nilo-Saharan, Songhai | Official in Niger | 2.2 million (1998) |
| Baoulé | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Côte d'Ivoire | 2.1 million (1993 SIL) (dated data) |
| Dogri | Indo-European, Indic | Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir) | 2.1 million (1997) |
| Lingala | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa. | 2.1 million native (2000 WCD), 7 million second language in Congo-Kinshasa (1999 WA), unknown additional second language speakers in Congo-Brazzaville, = 9+ million total. |
| Sasak | Austronesian | Indonesia | 2.1 million (1989) (dated data) |
| Kurux | Dravidian | India, Nepal | 2.1 million (1997) |
| Mundari | Austro-Asiatic, Munda | India | 2.1 million (1997) |
| Dinka | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Southern Sudan | 2+ million |
| Slovenian | Indo-European, Slavic | Official in Austria, Italy, Slovenia. | 2.0 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
| Buyei | Tai-Kadai | China | ~2 million (1990 census) (dated data) |
| Beti-Pahuin | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Major language of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea. Significant communities in Cameroon, São Tomé e Príncipe. | ~2 million. Includes Fang, Ewondo, etc. |
| Dimli | Indo-European, Iranian | Turkey | 1.5 to 2.5 million (all dialects) (1998 Paul) |
| Tulu | Dravidian | India | 1.9 million (1997) |
| Sidamo | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic | Ethiopia | 1.9 million, 0.1 million second language, = 2.0 million total (1998 census) |
| Bashkir | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Russia (Bashkortostan) | 1.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Yao | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique | ~1.9 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Chuvash | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Russia (Chuvashia) | 1.8 million native, 0.2 million second language, = 2.0 million total (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Ijaw | Niger-Congo, unclassified | Nigeria | 1.8 million (all varieties) |
| Fon | Niger-Congo, Kwa | National language of Benin Significant communities in Togo | 1.7 million native (2000 Hoddenbagh), unknown number second language |
| Swazi | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa, Swaziland. Significant communities in Lesotho | 1.7 million (1996 census, 1993 Johnstone) |
| Nyankore | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Uganda | 1.6 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
| Tatar | Altaic, Turkic | Official in Russia (Tatarstan). Significant communities in Bashkortostan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan | 1.6 million (1989 census) [6.6 million ethnic Tatar] |
| Makasar | Austronesian | Indonesia | 1.6 million native, 0.4 million second language, = 2 million total (1989) (dated data) |
| Macedonian | Indo-European, Slavic | Official in Macedonia. Significant communities in Greece? | 1.6 million (1986) (dated data) |
| Gusii | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 1.6 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
| Khandesi | Indo-European, Indic | India | 1.6 million (1997) |
| Ndebele | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa. National language of Zimbabwe. | 1.6 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Chin | Tibetan-Burman | Myanmar, India | 1.6 million (1990 BAP, 1996 UBS) (dated data). All varieties, but not including Mizo etc. |
| Sara | Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic, Bongo-Bagirmi | National language of Chad. Significant communities in Central African Republic. | 1.5 million native, all varieties, large number second-language speakers (dated data) |
| Pangasinan | Austronesian | Philippines | 1.5 million (2000 census) |
| Latvian | Indo-European, Baltic | Official in Latvia. Significant communities in Australia. | 1.5 million |
| Tonga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Zambia, Zimbabwe | 1.5 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Lampung | Austronesian | Indonesia | ~1.5 million (1981 Wurm and Hattori) (dated data) |
| Sardinian | Indo-European, Romance | Official in Italy (Sardinia) | ~1.5 million (1977 M. Ibba, Rutgers University) (dated data) |
| Scots | Indo-European, Germanic, West, Anglic | Scotland, Significant communities in Northern Ireland | ~1.5 million native (General Register Office for Scotland, 1996) |
| Dong | Tai-Kadai | China | 1.5 million |
| Mende | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Sierra Leone | 1.5 million native, unknown number second language (1987 UBS) (dated data) |
| Tày | Tai-Kadai | Vietnam | 1.5 million in Viet Nam (1999 census) |
| Nahuatl | Uto-Aztecan, isolate | Mexico | 1.4 million (all varieties) (dated data) |
| Afar | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic | Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti | 1.4 million (1998 census) |
| Dagbani | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Ghana | 1.4 million, including Kusaal, Mampruli (2004 SIL) |
| Koli | Indo-European, Indic | India, Pakistan | 1.4 million, all varieties (some data dated) |
| Chiga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Uganda | 1.4 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
| Soga | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Uganda | 1.4 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
| Tumbuka | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in Malawi. Significant communities in Zambia | 1.3 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Iu Mien | Hmong-Mien, Yao | China | 1.3 million, all varieties (1995 Wang and Mao) |
| Meru | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Kenya | 1.3 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data) |
| Gogo | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | ~1.3 million (1992 UBS) (dated data) |
| Teso | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Uganda. Significant communities in Kenya | 1.3 million (1991 census) (dated data) |
| Meithei | Tibetan-Burman | Official in India (Manipur) | 1.3 million (1997) |
| Tamang | Tibetan-Burman | Nepal | 1.3 million |
| Makonde | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania, Mozambique | 1.3 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Bai | Tibetan-Burman, unclassified | China | 1.2 million (2003) |
| Vlaams [duplicates Dutch numbers!] | Indo-European, Germanic | Belgium, Netherlands | 1.2 million (1998 U. of Ghent) |
| Tuareg | Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Southern | Official in Niger. National language of Mali. | 1.2 million (1991-1998) [dated data] |
| Mandinka | Niger-Congo, Mande | Official in Senegal. Significant communities in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau. | 1.2 million (2002) |
| Jula | Niger-Congo, Mande | Native to Burkina Faso, Significant communities in Côte d'Ivoire | ~1.2 million native, 3 to 4 million second language |
| Temne | Niger-Congo, Atlantic | National language of Sierra Leone | ~1.2 million native, 0.2 million second language, = ~1.4 million total (1989 J. Kaiser) (dated data) |
| Haya | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | ~1.2 million (1991 UBS) (dated data) |
| Serer | Niger-Congo, Atlantic | Official in Senegal. Significant communities in Gambia. | 1.2 million (2002) |
| Beja | Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic or isolate | Sudan, Eritrea | 1.2 million (1982 SIL) (dated data) |
| Nyamwezi | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania | 1.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Abron | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Ghana | 1.2 million (2003) |
| Alur | Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic | Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda | 1.2 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Sena | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Mozambique, Malawi | 1.2 million, all varieties |
| Azande | Niger-Congo, Ubangian | Congo-Kinshasa, Southern Sudan, Central African Republic | 1.1 million (dated data) |
| Walloon | Indo-European, Romance | Belgium | 1.1 million (1998) |
| Anyi | Niger-Congo, Kwa | Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana | 1.2 million (1993 SIL) (dated data) |
| Malvi | Indo-European, Indic | India | 1.1 million (1997) |
| Kinaray-a | Austronesian | Philippines | 1.1 million native (2000 census) |
| Soninke | Niger-Congo, Mande | Official in Senegal. National language of Mali. Significant communities in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Mauritania. | 1.10 million (1991) (dated data) |
| Ho | Austro-Asiatic, Munda | India | 1.08 million (1997) |
| Estonian | Uralic, Finnic | Official in Estonia | 1.08 million (1989 census) (dated data) |
| Nyakyusa | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Tanzania, Malawi | 1.05 million (1992 UBS) (dated data) |
| Gwari | Niger-Congo, Nupe | Nigeria | 1.05 million (1991 SIL, 2002 SIL) (dated data) |
| Lugbara | Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic, Moru-Madi | Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda | 1.04 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk, 1983 SIL) (dated data) |
| Naga | Tibetan-Burman | India | 1.03 million, all varieties (1997) |
| Susu | Niger-Congo, Mande | National language of Guinea. Significant communities in Sierra Leone. | 1.03 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
| Tausug | Austronesian | Philippines | 1.02 million native (2000 census) |
| Chokwe | Niger-Congo, Bantu | National language of Angola. Significant communities in Congo-Kinshasa | 1.01 million (1990 UBS) (dated data) |
| Kabardian | Caucasic, Circassian | Official in Russia (Kabardino-Balkaria). Significant communities in Karachay-Cherkessia, Turkey | 1.01 million (1993 UBS, 2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) (dated data!) |
| Ryukyu | Japonic, Ryukyuan | Japan | 1.01 million, all varieties (2000 WCD) |
| Magindanaw | Austronesian | Philippines | 1.0 million native (2000 census), unknown number second language |
| Maranao | Austronesian | Philippines | 1.0 million native (2000 census) |
| Songe | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Congo-Kinshasa | ~1 million (1991 WA) (dated data) |
| Rejang | Austronesian | Indonesia | ~1 million (1981 Wurm and Hattori) (dated data) |
| Bini | Niger-Congo, Edo | Official in Nigeria | ~1 million (1999 WA) |
| Ebira | Niger-Congo, Nupe | Nigeria | ~1 million (1989 J. Adive) (dated data) |
| Dagaare | Niger-Congo, Gur | National language of Ghana. Significant communities in Burkina Faso. | ~1 million (2003) |
| Gujari | Indo-European, Indic | Afghanistan, India, Pakistan | 0.99 million (2000 WCD) |
| Tharu | Indo-European, Indic | Nepal | 0.99 million, all varieties |
| Chechen | Caucasic, Nakh | Official in Russia (Chechnya). | 0.96 million (1989 census) (dated data!) |
| Venda | Niger-Congo, Bantu | Official in South Africa | 0.96 million (1996 census) |
| Arakanese | Tibetan-Burman | Myanmar, Bangladesh | 0.95 million (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk) |
Notes
Major Source: Ethnologue, 15th edition online
Note 2: According to combined estimates from the CIA, Ethnologue, [1], and [2].