Top 10 Most Learned Languages in the World

By: Peter Edward Posted on Fri, 05-01-2024

The languages we speak are not merely tools for communication; rather, they intertwine with our worldviews, identities, and social structures. It is the very fabric of human history, culture, and communication. Hence, the importance of any language cannot be overstated. Learning about the most in-demand languages can provide important information about world economics, geopolitics, and social structures that shape the world. Moreover, the global environment has made learning different languages socially and economically important. Today's guide is all about the different languages that hold important positions worldwide, their importance, and their background.

Table of Content

What Makes a Language Worth Learning?
Here are the Most Learned Global Language
1. Chinese
2. Spanish
3. English
4. Hindi
5. Arabic
6. Bengali
7. Portuguese
8. Russian
9. Japanese
10. French
Conclusion

What Makes a Language Worth Learning?

There can be various reasons why one would want to learn a new language. It may be for sentimental reasons, economic, immigration, business, general self-grooming, education, or more. However, the most important aspect that makes a language worth learning is the practicality of learning it. Here are some of the metrics that determine the usefulness of a language and its worth in learning.

1. Number of Speakers

This is the very meaning of quantifying the usefulness of a language. The more people speak it, the more likely you are to statistically use that language. To be honest this statement does have its merits. According to a study by Indeed, German, Mandarin, and Arabic translators are the most in demand for translation services. Moreover, they are also the highest-paid translators. French, Japanese, Hindi, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Portuguese follow the list. All these languages have the highest number of speakers in the world. Despite having over 1.4 billion speakers, English is not on the list as it is being considered the common world language.

2. Geographic Region

Now here is where your situation also needs to be considered. For example, are you planning to travel or immigrate to a different region? Then you would probably want to see the languages spoken in that region. If I were to choose a language that has universal importance, then I would say that English is the most important language to learn. Moreover, English, Mandarin, Arabic, and Spanish will get you through almost anywhere in the world.

3. Usability And Versatility

Versatility is one of the most useful aspects to consider when looking to learn a new language. How often will you be able to use it and in what situations? Is it possible to use the language at home and where you travel most often? Does it help you socially or in business? Because it takes a lot of time and effort to learn a new language. So it better be worth the time and money you invest into learning it. In this situation there is no best language to learn, there is what language is best for you to learn.

4. Career Opportunities

Consider what you want in your future. If for example, you want to move to Canada, learning French can be useful, Spanish can be useful for the United States, and Arabic for the Middle East and some parts of Africa. If for example, your industry includes loads of international business then Mandarin, German, Japanese, German, or Italian can be useful. Learning a new language can help you grow quickly in your career.

Here are the Most Learned Global Language

According to the comprehensive database of Ethnologue, the most important languages are ranked in the following manner.

1. Chinese

Roughly 1.118 billion people speak Mandarin, making it a dominating force in the linguistic world. Chinese, the official language of China and Taiwan, is also commonly spoken in Singapore. China, as the next global superpower and the leading supplier of goods in the world, plays a significant role in this linguistic landscape. It was and is an ever-important language for global business.

2. Spanish

Over 480 million people globally speak Spanish, and it serves as the official/national language in over 21 countries, including Mexico, Spain, and most of the Americas. Additionally, it holds the position of the second most spoken language in the United States. Learning Spanish helps people in business, traveling, and education.

3. English

English has over 375 million native speakers and 1.4 billion total speakers in the world. It is the official language of England, Australia, Canada, and the United States. English has assumed the unofficial status as the global language and has become the most widely learned language in the world. First-world countries with strong global influence primarily speak English, considering it the most important language in the world. Most education systems require students to study English as an obligatory subject.

4. Hindi

Mostly spoken in South Asia, Hindi is spoken by nearly 600 million speakers around the world. Hindi is vital if you want to do business or have close ties in India. Since India is one of the strongest emerging economies it can be useful to learn Hindi. Moreover, businesses have a potential audience of a billion people when doing business in India.

5. Arabic

Arabic is spoken by 375+ million people globally and is the official language of 26 different countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and so many other Arabic-speaking countries have excellent business laws and low tax brackets. Making them the ideal business destination. Many also prefer to retire in the UAE because of its excellent facilities and vibrant lifestyles. Arabic-speaking countries also offer good wages for skilled workers and translators.

6. Bengali

Spoken by 240 million people as their first language, Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh. The language is also commonly spoken in Burma and India, with a range of different dialects. Bangladesh itself is also densely populated and has some great exports of raw materials. Depending on the type of business you are in, you can benefit from learning Bengali. The low wages, abundant raw materials, and favorable laws make it an ideal location for certain businesses.

7. Portuguese

Spoken by 250 million people, Portuguese is the native language of Brazil, Argentina, Angola, and Portugal. All these countries get large numbers of tourists each year. Brazil is also one of the fastest-growing economies. Learning Portuguese can help you do business and market your services in the region. Moreover, those in the tourist industry certainly benefit from learning the language.

8. Russian

Spoken by 258 million people, Russian is the official language of Russia and among the six official United Nations languages. After English, most of the content online is in Russian. If you do business in Europe, Russian is unavoidable. Also if you are fond of research, then Russian can be very beneficial.

9. Japanese

Over 120 million people speak Japanese and 90% of these people reside in Japan. Japan is among the leading countries for games, and technology, and has its own unique culture that is constantly challenging global norms. Many anime and manga enthusiasts learn Japanese specifically for the media. However, Japanese is also important in technological businesses like the blockchain, fintech, and software.

10. French

There are 300 million French speakers around the globe. 29 countries utilize French as their official language including Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Central Africa, Monaco, Madagascar, Senegal, Rwanda, and the list goes on. It is also used as a secondary language in certain countries and regions like Canada. Those in the food, fashion, tourism, web3, and related industries can benefit heavily from learning French. Since it is spoken in many different countries and regions it can come in handy from time to time.

Conclusion

Each language has its own benefits and opens up doors to unique experiences, cultures, professions, and global influence. Moreover, learning a new language makes you a more valuable asset in the right circumstances. Learning languages is not all about communicating, it can be a life-changing experience. It can greatly impact your way of thinking and interpreting certain aspects of life. When it comes down to it, the importance of English, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, French, and Japanese cannot be overstated.