List of languages by number of native speakers

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

Data are not all up to date.

For the purposes of this article, a 'first language' is a language a person was raised with, while a 'second language' is a language of instruction or everyday communication. Thus a person may have more than one first language. Countries that are not sovereign states are listed according to the corresponding sovereign states.

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.

Contents

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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), Republic of China (Mandarin), and Singapore (Mandarin).

Significant communities in Australia (including plurality on Christmas Island), Brunei, Cambodia, Canada , France (French Polynesia, Réunion), Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, 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: 55 million (1984)
Southern Min: 46 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, Grenada, Guyana, Mauritius, Nepal [1], South Africa, Surinam, 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, United States (New Mexico, Puerto Rico), Uruguay, Venezuela.

Significant communities in Andorra, Aruba, Belize, Israel, Netherlands (Netherlands Antilles), Switzerland, United Kingdom (Cayman Islands, Gibraltar), United States 		322 million native (2004 CIA), 70 million second language (Indiana University 2003) = 390 million total
English Indo-European, Germanic, West, Anglic Official in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia (including external territories), The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada (nationally and in all major provinces but Quebec), Dominica, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong), India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Namibia, Nauru, Realm of New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom (and in all overseas territories and crown dependencies), United States (national language; official in some states and unincorporated territories), Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Significant communities in Andorra, Bangladesh, Brunei, Israel, France (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon), Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands (Aruba), Somalia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland. 		308 million native (2004 CIA), 510-515 million total (Indiana University 2003, WA 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, 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, Central African Republic, France, Iran, 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 (Toronto, Boston), Venezuela. 		206 million native (2004 CIA), 10+ million second language, = 216 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)
Japanese Japonic Official in Japan and Palau (Angaur Island).

Significant communities in United States (Guam, Hawaii) 		127 million native (2004 CIA), 1 million second language (Ryukyuan)
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 		Western: 61–62 million (2000, WCD); Eastern: 28 million; Siraiki 14 million, = 104 million total
German Indo-European, Germanic, West, High Germanic 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),. 		101 million native (95 million Standard German [2004 CIA], 6 million Swiss German), 22 million second language = 123 million total
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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
Javanese Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi Native to Indonesia (originally Java). Significant communities in France (New Caledonia), Malaysia, Suriname 76 million
Korean Language isolate Official in People's Republic of China (Yanbian), North Korea, South Korea. Significant communities in Australia, Japan, United States (Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands) 71 million
Vietnamese Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Vietic Official in Vietnam. Significant communities in Australia, Cambodia, Laos, France (New Caledonia), Norway, United States (California), 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, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, France (Réunion). 68 million native, 9 million second language, = 77 million total
French Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Oïl National or official in Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels), Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada (nationally and in New Brunswick, Quebec, and the territories), Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, 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, 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). 67 million native (2005 estimate); 130 million total (2005 WA)
Persian Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern Official in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan 61-71 million native (including 50-60% of Iran, 40% of Afghanistan, 15-30% of Uzbekistan), may include Mazanderani and Gilaki; ~50 million second language, 110 million total (2005)1
UrduIndo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Hindustani Official in India (Jammu and Kashmir), Pakistan. Significant communities in Bahrain, Botswana, Fiji, Malawi?, Mauritius, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa? 61 million native, 43 million second language, = 104 million total
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 Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (de jure part of Cyprus), Turkey. Significant communities in Australia, Austria, 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.
Gujarati Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central Zone Official in India (Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli). Significant communities in Fiji. 46 million
Polish Indo-European, Slavic, West Official in Poland. Significant communities in Belarus, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, United States (Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey). 46 million
Ukrainian Indo-European, Slavic, East Official in Ukraine, Transnistria (de jure part of Moldova). Significant communities in Belarus, 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
Thai Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Be-Tai, Tai-Sek, Tai Official in Thailand. ~31 million native (1983 SIL, 1990 Diller, 2000 WCD) (dated data), = ~60 million first & second language (2001 A. Diller). Includes Southern Thai, Northern Thai/Western Lao, but not Shan, Isan, or Lao.
[edit]

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)
Azeri 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)
Romanian Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern Official in Moldova, Romania, Serbia (Vojvodina). Significant communities in Greece, Hungary, Israel, Spain, Serbia and Montenegro. 24–26 million (2002)
Indonesian Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Sunda-Sulawesi Malayic Official in Indonesia. Significant communities in the Netherlands, Timor-Leste 23 million native, 140+ million second language, = 165 million total; 175 million total all Malay (2005 WA)
Dutch Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Germanic, Low Franconian Official in Belgium, 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)
Hungarian Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Ugric Official in Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro (Vojvodina), Slovenia. Significant communities in Israel, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine 15 million
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)
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, Spain (Ceuta & Melilla). 13+ 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 and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Significant communities in Croatia, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland. 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
[edit]

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 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 Åland (Finland), Finland 8.8 million (1986)
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. 6.6 million in Bulgaria (2005) and ~1 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)
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 population–1994 census), ~2.25 million in Eritrea (50% of population–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 and Montenegro (Kosovo). Significant communities in Greece. 6.0 million (data from Albania dated)
Afrikaans Indo-European, Germanic Official in South Africa. Significant communities in Namibia. 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
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)
Danish Indo-European, Germanic, North Official in Denmark, Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark). Significant communities in Germany (Southern Schleswig) 5.3 million (1980) (dated data)
Hebrew Afro-Asiatic, Semitic Official in Israel. Significant communities in West Bank (Palestinian Territories). 5.1 million (1998) (10 million literate)
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 Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Tanzania. Significant communities in Comoros, Mayotte, Oman, Réunion. ~5 million native, ~40 million second language
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, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, 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. 4.6 million [Wikipedia figure; needs confirmation]
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