Is English the Most Spoken Language in the World?

Language influences various aspects of life. It is a primary medium for communication, impacting how people interact with others. The process of learning language starts in the early stages of life. Have you ever wondered what language that has most speakers in the world? 

What is the most spoken language in the world?

According to statistics released by Ethnologue: Languages of the World, there are two ways to determine the largest language worldwide. If considering only native speakers, Mandarin claims the top spot. But if we count both native and non-native speakers, English emerges as the most spoken language in the world.

Since we are talking about languages with the most speakers, then English ranks first with a number of speakers about 1,5 million in 2023. Mandarin follows closely in the second place, with Hindi and Spanish occupying the third and fourth positions, respectively. 

Why English is so popular?

As you read this article in English, you are one of the 1,5 million English speakers that we are discussing about. However, it may well be that English is not your mother tongue. Learn English has become a necessity since it is an international language that is widely spread and used in various sectors. It is the language of technology, tourism, business, international diplomacy, research and academic publication, and many more. Learning English can optimize your career growth and unlock many opportunities. Using English, we are also able to communicate across cultures and countries, facilitating chances to explore diverse perspectives. You can also access a wealth of digital information to enrich your knowledge since most of them are published in English. In this interconnected world, English serves as a gateway to global collaboration.

Contributor: Rosa Galuh Kistanti