In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 most multilingual countries in the world. If you wish to learn about the global language learning market, head straight to the 20 Most Multilingual Countries In The World.
5. The United States Of America
Total Official Languages: 350
In the United States, English is the primary language spoken by about 78% of the population, making the USA stand fifth among the most multilingual countries in the world. However, nearly 1 in 5 people, approximately 67.8 million, talk about a language other than English at home, as per the U.S. Census Bureau. Spanish is the most prevalent non-English language, spoken by 62% of those who use a different language at home. Other commonly spoken languages in the U.S. include Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Arabic.
4. India
Total Official Languages: 391
India is one of the most multilingual countries in the world, with 22 recognized official languages, including Hindi and English. Hindi is the most spoken language, with over 57% using it as their first language. Duolingo has grown significantly in India, with English, Hindi, and French being the top languages studied. India is a fast-growing market for Duolingo, and the company plans to introduce more regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi, according to Bob Meese, the chief business officer of Duolingo.
3. Nigeria
Total Official Language: 527
Nigeria is highly multilingual, with over 500 languages spoken. The official language is English, but the most spoken language is Hausa, with 35 million native speakers and 15 million second-language speakers. Other widely spoken languages include Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Kanuri, and Tiv.
2. Indonesia
Total Official Languages: 712
Indonesia is one of the world’s most multilingual countries, with over 700 living languages. The official language is Indonesian, which nearly everyone speaks. Notable languages in Indonesia include Javanese, with 75 million speakers; Sundanese, with over 30 million; Madurese, with 13 million; and Minangkabau, with 6 million speakers. The country also features various regional languages like Balinese, Batak, and Buginese, each with varying percentages of speakers.
1. Papua New Guinea
Total Official Languages: 840
Papua New Guinea, the world’s most linguistically diverse country, boasts around 840 languages with various speaker populations. It has three official languages post-independence: English, Tok Pisin (a Creole), and Hiri Motu, and sign language was added in 2015. Despite this, the country’s rugged terrain and rural population (approximately 87%) have allowed many languages to survive, with some villages remaining isolated and untouched by the outside world.
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