How Many People Speak Portuguese, And Where Is It Spoken?

How Many People Speak Portuguese?

Total speakers worldwide: ~265 million

• Native speakers: ~230 million

• Non-native & second-language speakers: ~35 million

• Portuguese learners worldwide: ~10 million

🌍 Portuguese is the 9th most spoken language in the world, after English, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, French, and Russian.

📈 Due to high birth rates in Brazil and Africa, Portuguese is expected to grow in the coming decades.

Where in the World Is Portuguese Spoken? 🌎

Portuguese is the official language in 10 countries and territories across Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. It is also widely spoken in immigrant communities worldwide.

1. Brazil – The Largest Portuguese-Speaking Country 

✅ Brazil has the most Portuguese speakers, with over 80% of all native speakers worldwide.
✅ Brazilian Portuguese differs slightly from European Portuguese in pronunciation and vocabulary.

2. Portugal – The Birthplace of Portuguese

✅ Portuguese originated in Portugal and later spread to Africa, Asia, and the Americas through colonization.

3. Africa – A Growing Portuguese-Speaking Region 🌍

✅ Angola has the second-largest number of Portuguese speakers, after Brazil.
✅ Portuguese is growing rapidly in Africa due to population increases.

4. Asia – Portuguese in Former Colonies 🌏

✅ Macau (China) was a Portuguese colony until 1999, and Portuguese is still an official language there.
✅ Timor-Leste (East Timor), a former Portuguese colony, continues to use Portuguese as an official language.

5. Europe – Portuguese-Speaking Communities 🌍

✅ Portugal has a large diaspora, and Portuguese is widely spoken in France, Switzerland, and Luxembourg due to immigration.

6. North America – Portuguese in the U.S. & Canada

✅ The U.S. has large Portuguese-speaking communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, and California.
✅ Portuguese is also spoken by many Brazilian and Portuguese immigrants in Canada.

7. South America (Outside Brazil) – Small but Present 🌎

✅ Many South Americans near Brazil speak "Portuñol," a mix of Portuguese and Spanish.

Why Is Portuguese So Widely Spoken?

1️⃣ Portuguese Empire & Colonization – Portugal spread its language to South America, Africa, and Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries.

2️⃣ Economic & Cultural Influence – Brazil’s large population and economy make Portuguese a key global language.

3️⃣ Growing Population in Africa – Angola and Mozambique have high birth rates, increasing Portuguese speakers.

📢 Portuguese is an official language of:

• United Nations (UN)

• European Union (EU)

• African Union (AU)

• Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)

The Future of Portuguese: Growing Fast! 📈

Portuguese is the fastest-growing European language after English, thanks to:

• 🌍 High birth rates in Brazil and Africa.

• 📈 Increased interest in learning Portuguese for business and culture.

• 🌎 Portuguese-speaking communities expanding worldwide.

✅ By 2050, Portuguese speakers could exceed 350 million!

FAQs

How many people speak Portuguese worldwide?

Approximately 265 million people speak Portuguese, including 230 million native speakers.

Which country has the most Portuguese speakers?

Brazil has the most Portuguese speakers, with around 215 million people.

Is Portuguese only spoken in Portugal and Brazil?

No! Portuguese is the official language of 10 countries and is spoken in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Why is Portuguese important?

Portuguese is the most spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere, a key language in international business, culture, and diplomacy.

Is Portuguese growing or declining?

Portuguese is growing rapidly, especially in Brazil and Africa, with millions of new speakers every year.