List of Most Spoken Languages in the World in 2025: English, Bahasa Indonesia, and More

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Language serves as a powerful bridge that connects people across borders, cultures, and industries, shaping global communication and cultural exchange.

Among the thousands of languages spoken today, only a few languages earn recognition as the most widely spoken in the world. This is driven by large native-speaking populations and widespread adoption as a second language.

10 Most Spoken Languages in the World 

According to recent findings from the language intelligence research institute Ethnologue, English continues to rank at the top of the most spoken languages in the world in 2025, with an estimated 1.5 billion speakers. Here are the other top contenders: 

1. English – 1.5 billion speakers 

Officially crowned as the most spoken language in the world, English continues to lead in 2025 with over 1.5 billion speakers globally. Originating in the United Kingdom and shaped by the historical reach of the British Empire, the language has expanded far beyond its native borders. Today, English serves as a global language, uniting cultures as the primary medium for international education, business, and cross-cultural communication.

2. Mandarin Chinese – 1.2 billion speakers

Ranking just behind English, Mandarin Chinese stands as the second most spoken language in the world with approximately 1.2 billion speakers. Originating in China and rooted in the Sino-Tibetan language family, its influence continues to expand alongside the country’s rapid economic growth. 

3. Hindi – 609 million speakers

Hindi secures its place among the most spoken languages in the world, ranking third with over 600 million speakers globally. As the official national language of India, it carries deep cultural influence, amplified by the worldwide reach of Bollywood films, music, and literature. Beyond culture, Hindi is increasingly valued in international business. 

4. Spanish – 558 million speakers 

With over 550 million speakers globally, this language is now spoken across numerous Spanish-speaking countries throughout Latin America, as well as in parts of the United States and Asia. As the official language of more than twenty countries and one of the United Nations’ working languages, Spanish continues to open doors in global communication, business, and cultural exchange.

5. Arabic – 335 million speakers 

Originating in Saudi Arabia and rooted in the Afro-Asiatic language family, standard Arabic serves as a unifying language across the Arab world and holds official status at the United Nations. While often regarded as one of the world's hardest languages, mastering Arabic offers both personal fulfillment and valuable opportunities in international relations and global careers.

6. French – 312 million speakers 

Ranking sixth globally, French is spoken by over 311 million people worldwide. Rooted in France and widely spoken across multiple continents, it continues to thrive through strong institutional support and international recognition. Its role in global education and organizations ensures French remains a valuable language to learn today.

7. Bengali – 284 million speakers 

Bengali holds the seventh position among the most spoken languages in the world, with approximately 284 million speakers. As the official language of Bangladesh and widely spoken across parts of India, it remains a strong marker of identity for Bengali communities worldwide. Honoring tradition, it is a gateway to centuries of literature, art, and shared heritage.

8. Portuguese – 266 million speakers 

Strongly associated with Brazil, Portuguese is an Indo-European language that originated in Portugal, and plays an important role in global business, education, and scientific research. With Brazil serving as its largest and most influential stronghold, its global spread makes Portuguese valuable for international communication, travel, and professional growth.

9. Russian – 253 million speakers 

Russian claims the ninth spot among the most spoken languages in the world, with over 250 million speakers globally. As the official language of the Russian Federation and one of the United Nations’ working languages, it remains widely spoken across several former Soviet states. Shaped by a rich literary legacy and a complex grammatical system, Russian continues to hold strong cultural and geopolitical influence.

10. Bahasa Indonesia – 252 million speakers 

Rounding out the top ten most spoken languages in the world is Bahasa Indonesia, with over 250 million speakers. As the national language of Indonesia, it serves as the primary medium of instruction across all levels of education and government. Its growing regional and international recognition has also led countries like Japan and Australia to include Indonesian in their educational curricula.

These most spoken languages in the world reflect not only population size but also history, culture, and global influence. Learning any of these languages offers a gateway to broader connections, opportunities, and perspectives in an increasingly interconnected world.

Read: 7 Mysterious Languages That Have Yet to Be Deciphered

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