List of languages by number of native speakers

This is a list of languages ordered by number of native-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 dialect versus language debates.

For the purposes of this article, a 'native language' is a language a person was raised with, while a 'second language' is a language of instruction or everyday communication. A person may be natively bilingual.

Countries that are not sovereign states are listed according to the corresponding sovereign states.

Data are not all up to date. 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 by more than 1% of the population	Number of speakers
Chinese	Sino-Tibetan Official language in People's Republic of China (Mandarin; Cantonese de facto co-official in Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan (Republic of China) (Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka), and Singapore (Mandarin). Significant communities in Australia (including plurality on Christmas Island), Brunei, Cambodia, Canada , France (French Polynesia, Réunion), Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Surinam, Thailand, United States (California, Guam, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Washington), Venezuela, Vietnam|1080 million native (1999). Includes: Mandarin: 872 million native + 178 million second language = 1050 million (1999 WA, 2004 CIA) Wu: 77 million (2004 CIA) Cantonese: 76 million (2005) Southern Min-Taiwanese: 49 million (1984) Jin: 45 million (1995) Xiang: 36 million (1984) Hakka: 30 million (1984) Gan: 21 million (1984) Northern Min: 10.3 million (1984) 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 Fiji (Awadhi), India (Khariboli nationally and in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal; Maithili in Bihar). Significant communities in Belize, Canada, Grenada, Guyana, Mauritius, Nepal [1], South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Yemen	370 million native, 125 million second language, = 495 million total (WA 2005). Includes: Khariboli (180 million, 2004 CIA), Bhojpuri (27 million, 1997), Maithili (25 million, 1981), Awadhi (21 million, 1999), Haryanvi (13 million, 1992), Marwari (13 million, 2002), Magahi (13 million, 2002), Chhattisgarhi (11 million, 1997), Kanauji (6 million, 1977).

Spanish	Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Iberian	Official in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, New Mexico, Puerto Rico (United States), Uruguay, Venezuela. Significant communities in Andorra, Aruba, Belize, Israel, Netherlands (Netherlands Antilles), Switzerland, United Kingdom (Cayman Islands, Gibraltar), United States	332 million native (Summer Institute for Linguistics (SIL) Ethnologue Survey (1999)), 70 million second language (Indiana University 2003) = 402 million total
English	Indo-European, Germanic, West, Anglic	Official in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia (including external territories), The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, People's Republic of China (Hong Kong), India, Republic of Ireland, Philippines, South Africa, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria,Pakistan, Realm of New Zealand, Uganda, Singapore, United Kingdom (and in all overseas territories), United States (de facto) (and in all overseas teritories), Zambia, and Zimbabwe Official but spoken by less than 1% of the population: Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Significant communities in many other countries.	322 million native (Summer Institute for Linguistics (SIL) Ethnologue Survey (1999)), 510-515 million total (Indiana University 2003, WA 2005)
Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi Malayic	Official in Indonesia (All around States). Significant communities in the Netherlands, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, Suriname, Papua New Guinea. Minor trade language in Shanghai, usually merchants that often visit Jakarta (Glodok, Jakarta's China Community)	222.5 million native + 4 million second and other language = 226.5 million total; 250 million total all Malay (2005 WA). Include (All Malay, include Indonesian and Malay) :: Timor Leste (Daily language, 1 Million, 2005), Singapore (Malay, Nationality Language, 4 million), Malay (25 million, 2005), Indonesian (222.5 million, 2005)
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, Somaliland, 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, Canada, Central African Republic, France, Iran, Netherlands, Spain (Ceuta and Melilla), United Kingdom (Gibraltar).	206 million native, 24 million second language, = 230 million total for all 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, People's Republic of China (Macau), Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé e Príncipe. Significant communities in Andorra, Antigua, France, India (Daman and Goa), Luxembourg, Namibia, Paraguay, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island), Canada, Venezuela.	210 million native, 20+ million second language, = 230 million total (not counting 4 million Galician)
Bengali	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Magadhan Prakrit, Bengali-Assamese	Official in Bangladesh, India (Tripura, West Bengal). Significant communities in Myanmar, Oman, United Arab Emirates	171 million native, counting 14 million Chittagonian, 10.3 million Sylheti (2004 CIA); 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, United States (New York), Uzbekistan	145 million native (2004 CIA), 110 million second language, = 255 million total (2000, WCD)
French	Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Oïl	National or official in Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels), Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, France (including territories), Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, India (districts of Karaikal and Pondicherry), Italy (Aosta Valley), Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Martinique, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland (Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais, Vaud), Togo, United Kingdom (Guernsey, Jersey), United States (Louisiana), Vanuatu. Significant communities in New Zealand, United States (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont).	109 million (1); 169 million (2) of which 119 million pure (3) â€" 175 million of which 110 million pure and 65 million partial (4)-130 million (2005 WA) total - 190 million second language (5)
Japanese	Japonic	Official in Japan and Palau (Angaur Island). Significant communities in United States (Guam, Hawaii), and Taiwan	127 million native (2004 CIA), 1 million second language (Ryukyuan)
German	Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German	Official in Austria, Belgium (East Cantons), Germany, Italy (South Tyrol), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland (Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Uri, Valais, Zug, Zürich). Significant communities in Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Paraguay, United States (North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin),.	100 million native (95 million Standard German [2004 CIA], 5 million Swiss German), 22 million second language = 122 million total
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, United States	Western: 61–62 million (2000, WCD); Eastern: 28 million; Siraiki 14 million, = 103 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
Korean	Either Altaic or Language isolate (Disputed)	Official in People's Republic of China (Yanbian), North Korea, South Korea. Significant communities in Australia, Japan, United States (Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands)	80 million
Javanese	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi	Native to Indonesia (originally Java). Significant communities in France (New Caledonia), Malaysia, Suriname, Netherlands	76 million
Persian	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern	Official in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, recently United States of America	71 million native (including 60-70% of Iran, 40% of Afghanistan, 15-30% of Uzbekistan, 70% of Tajikistan), may include Mazanderani and Gilaki; ~50 million second language, 110 million total (2005)1
Vietnamese	Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Vietic	Official in Vietnam. Significant communities in Australia, Cambodia, Laos, France (New Caledonia), Norway, United States (California, New England), Canada, Vanuatu.	70 million native, perhaps up to 16 million second language, = ~ 86 million total
Telugu	Dravidian, South Central	Official in India (Andhra Pradesh, district of Yanam). 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, (districts of Karaikal and Pondicherry)), Singapore, Sri Lanka. Significant communities in Bahrain, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, France (Réunion).	68 million native, 9 million second language, = 77 million total
Urdu	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Hindustani	Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi), Pakistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Malawi?, Mauritius, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa?	61 million native, 43 million second language, = 104 million total
Thai	Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Be-Tai, Tai-Sek, Tai	Official in Thailand. Significant communities in Taiwan. Widely understood in Laos Myanmar and Cambodia.	66 million Includes Southern Thai, Northern Thai/Western Lao, but not Shan, Isan, or Lao.
Italian	Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italian	Official in Croatia (Istria County), Italy, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland (Graubünden, Ticino). Significant communities in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island), Uruguay, Vatican City	61 million native (all varieties)
Turkish	Altaic, Turkic, Southwestern, Oghuz	Official in Cyprus, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (de jure part of Cyprus), Turkey. Significant communities in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria (regional), 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.
Polish	Indo-European, Slavic, West	Official in Poland. Significant communities in Belarus, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, United States (Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey).	50 million
Gujarati	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone	Official in India (Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli). Significant communities in Fiji, United Kingdom.	46 million
Ukrainian	Indo-European, Slavic, East	Official in Ukraine, Transnistria (de jure part of Moldova). Significant communities in Belarus, Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Slovakia	39 million
Malayalam	Dravidian, Southern	Official in India (Kerala, Lakshadweep, district of Mahe). 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

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
Amharic	Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South	Official in Ethiopia. Significant communities in Israel.	27 million native (32.7% Ethiopia [1994 census] and 2.7 million emigrants), 10% (7 million) as a second language = 34 million total
Sundanese	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi	Native to Indonesia (originally western Java)	27 million (1990)
Romanian	Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern	Official in Moldova, Romania, Serbia (Vojvodina). Significant communities in Greece, Hungary, Israel, Spain, Serbia, USA, Russia, Italy.	25-27 million native, 6-7 million second language, = 32-34 million total
Azerbaijani	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 to 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 in Niger, north Nigeria. Significant communities in Chad, Benin, Ghana, Sudan	24 million native, ~ 15 million second language, = ~ 40 million total
Oromo	Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East Cushitic	National language of Ethiopia. Significant communities in Kenya	24 million native (31.6% of Ethiopia [1994 census]), ~ 2 million second language, = 26 million total (1998 census)
Dutch	Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Franconian	Official in Belgium (Brussels and Flanders), Kingdom of the Netherlands, Suriname.	22 million [2] [3]
Tagalog	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Central Philippines	Official in Philippines. Significant communities in Canada, People's Republic of China (Hong Kong), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States (Alaska, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands).	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. Native to Benin	19 million native, 2 million second language, = 21 million total (1993)
Somali	Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central 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)
Cebuano	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Central Philippine	Native to Philippines	18.5 million (2000 census)
Malay	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, 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.
Malagasy	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo-Philippines, Barito	Official in Madagascar. Significant communities in Mayotte, Réunion.	17 million
Nepali	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan	Official in Nepal, India (Sikkim). Significant communities in Bhutan.	17 million native (2001 census), perhaps 10–15 million second language?
Assamese	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Magadhan Prakrit, Bengali-Assamese	Official in India (Assam). Significant communities in Bhutan.	15 million (1997)
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, United States (California), 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 (Guangxi)	14 million native (1992), unknown number second language
Madura	Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi	Native to Indonesia (Originally Java, Madura)	14 million (1995)
Hungarian	Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Ugric	Official in Hungary, Serbia (Vojvodina), Slovenia. Significant communities in Israel, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine	~13.1 million
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 in Algeria (Kabyle), Morocco. Significant communities in France, Netherlands, Libya, Tunisia, Mali, Niger, Spain (Canarias, Ceuta & Melilla).	16+ 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, Canada, Egypt, Georgia.	12 million (2004)
Serbian	Indo-European, Slavic, South	Official in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Significant communities in Croatia, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany.	11 million (1981 WA); Serbian-Croatian-Bosnian together = 17 million
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 by more than 1% of the population	Number of speakers
Zulu	Niger-Congo, Bantu	Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Lesotho, Swaziland, Sicily and other Terronian territories	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, North| National language of Sweden. Official in Ã…land (Finland), Finland	9 million (2005)
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, Wisconsin), 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, Borneo-Philippines, Northern Luzon	Philippines. Significant communities in United States (Hawaii).	7.7 million native (2000 census), unknown number second language (1991 UBS)
Bulgarian	Indo-European, Slavic, South	Official in Bulgaria. Significant communities in Moldova, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Germany and Turkey.	6.6 million in Bulgaria (2005) and ~2 million abroad
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, Canada (Quebec), Cayman Islands (UK), Dominican Republic, France (Guadeloupe), United States (Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New York).	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)
Hebrew	Afro-Asiatic, Semitic	Official in Israel. Significant communities in West Bank (Palestinian Territories) and in California (United States).	7 million (2004) (10 million literate)
Hiligaynon	Austronesian, Borneo-Philippines, Central Philippine, Visayan	Philippines	6.9 million (2000 census), unknown number second language
Tigrinya	Afro-Asiatic, Semitic	Official in Eritrea, Ethiopia	4.5 million in Ethiopia (6% of populationâ€"1994 census), ~2.25 million in Eritrea (50% of populationâ€"CIA) = 6.75 native, 146,934 as second language (1994 census) = 6.9 million total
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, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic	Indonesia (Sumatra)	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, Borneo-Philippines Sunda-Sulawesi, Northern Sumatra	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 (Kosovo). Significant communities in Greece.	6.0 million (data from Albania dated)
Afrikaans	Indo-European, Germanic	Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Namibia and Sicily.	6.0 million native, 10.3 million second language, = 16 million total (1996 census)
Mongolian	Altaic, Mongolian	Official in People's Republic of China (Inner Mongolia), Mongolia	5.7 million
Danish	Indo-European, Germanic, North	Official in Denmark, Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark). Significant communities in Germany (Southern Schleswig)	5.6 million (2006) (dated data)
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)
Slovak	Indo-European, Slavic, West	Official in Slovakia.	5.0 million (1990 WA)
Mòoré	Niger-Congo, Gur	National language of Burkina Faso	~5 million (1991)
Swahili	Niger-Congo, Bantu	Official in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda. Significant communities in Comoros, Congo (DRC), Mayotte, Oman, Réunion.	~5 million native, ~40 million second language, = ~45 million total
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)
Romani	Indo-European, Indic	Significant communities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey	4.8 million, all varieties, including Domari (data for Vlax 2002–2004; for Domari 2000 WCD).
Norwegian	Indo-European, Germanic, North	Official in Norway.	4.65 million [June 2006, Statistics Norway]
Tibetan	Tibeto-Burman	Official in People's Republic of China (Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Sichuan, Gansu)	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)
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, Sunda-Sulawesi, Bali-Sasak	Indonesia (Bali, Lombok)	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, Borneo-Philippines, Central Philippine	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, Sunda-Sulawesi, South Sulawesi	Indonesia	3.5 million native, 0.5 million second language, = ~4 million total (1991 SIL)
Luo (Dholuo)	Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic	Kenya	3.5 million (1994 I. Larsen BTL) (dated data)
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, Kam-Tai, Tai	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, Canada, 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, Borneo-Philippines, Central Philippine, Visayan	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
Acehnese	Austronesian, Sunda-Sulawesi, Malayic	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 Welayta (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)
Bosnian	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	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 Canada (Nova Scotia), 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)
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) Related Articles • Boost Bilingualism in Canada - Official Languages Action Plan • Where do most tourists to the United States come from? • Comparing Christian Denominations - Statistics: Geography • Better Business English: A Proposal • Native Linguist Recruiting Program Email this page