Asia is a linguistic melting pot. This diversity results from its large population, estimated at over 4.7 billion people as of 2023.
So, how many languages are spoken across Asia’s expansive regions? Linguists estimate that there are over 2,300 languages spoken across the continent. From the towering Himalayas to the island nations, the variety of languages in Asia is truly remarkable.
Most languages in Asia originate from just a handful of prominent language families. The Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan families account for the lion’s share, with Austronesian, Altaic, Dravidian, and Austroasiatic tongues weaved into Asia’s intricate linguistic fabric.
25 Top Languages Asians Speak
Asia’s sprawling landmass and myriad cultures have given rise to some of the world’s most widely spoken languages.
South Asian languages like Hindi thrive in diverse communities. Meanwhile, East Asian languages such as Mandarin dominate communication in China and other regional countries, such as Singapore and Taiwan.
According to the annual publication Ethnologue: Languages of the World, here are the linguistic heavyweights that shape Asia’s vibrant identity.
| Language | Total Speakers | Language Family | Countries Where the Language is Most Spoken |
| English | 1.456 billion | Indo-European (Germanic branch) | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, various others |
| Mandarin Chinese | 1.138 billion | Sino-Tibetan (Chinese branch) | China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia |
| Hindi | 610 million | Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch) | India, Fiji, Nepal |
| Standard Arabic | 274 million | Afro-Asiatic (Semitic branch) | Arab League countries, North Africa |
| Bengali | 273 million | Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch) | Bangladesh, India |
| Russian | 255 million | Indo-European (Slavic branch) | Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan |
| Urdu | 232 million | Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch) | Pakistan, India |
| Bahasa Indonesian | 199 million | Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian branch) | Indonesia, East Timor |
| Japanese | 123 million | Japonic (Japanese-Ryukyuan branch) | Japan |
| Marathi | 99 million | Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch) | India (Maharashtra) |
| Telugu | 96 million | Dravidian (South-Central branch) | India (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) |
| Tamil | 87 million | Dravidian (South branch) | India (Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore) |
| Yue Chinese (Cantonese) | 87 million | Sino-Tibetan (Chinese branch) | China (Guangdong, Hong Kong), Macau |
| Vietnamese | 86 million | Austroasiatic (Vietic branch) | Vietnam, parts of Cambodia, Laos |
| Wu Chinese | 83 million | Sino-Tibetan (Chinese branch) | China (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu) |
| Tagalog | 83 million | Austronesian | Philippines |
| Korean | 82 million | Koreanic | Korea |
| Javanese | 68 million | Austronesian | Java, Indonesia |
| Western Punjabi | 67 million | Indo-European | Punjab region of Pakistan and India |
| Gujarati | 62 million | Indo-European | Native to the Indian state of Gujarat |
| Thai | 61 million | Kra–Dai | Thailand |
| Kannada | 59 million | Dravidian | Southwestern India |
| Bhojpuri | 52 million | Indo-European | India, Nepal |
| Eastern Punjabi | 52 million | Indo-European | Punjab region of Pakistan and India |
| Min Nan Chinese | 50 million | Sino-Tibetan | Fujian, most of Taiwan, Southeast Asia |
1. English
Though not native to Asia, Asians speak English due to its global status. The number of people who speak English worldwide is estimated to be around 1.456 billion, most using it as a foreign or second language.
2. Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in Asia and the second most spoken language globally, with over 1.1 billion speakers. It has a deep cultural history and is heard everywhere in China, from old neighborhoods in Beijing to modern skyscrapers in Shanghai.
3. Hindi
The Hindi language weaves through the Indian subcontinent, uniting almost 610 million speakers. As one of the two official languages of India, alongside English, Hindi’s influence stretches across northern regions. It’s also an integral part of Bollywood cinema’s vibrant culture.
4. Standard Arabic
The Arabic language holds immense cultural and religious significance throughout Asia, with over 274 million speakers across the Middle East and North Africa. Its lyrical script adorns ancient mosques and modern cities alike, a testament to the enduring legacy of Islamic civilization.
5. Bengali
Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and is spoken by over 273 million people. Also known as Bangla, Bengali is spoken in the Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura. Large immigrant communities in the United States and the Middle East also use Bengali for everyday conversations, business dealings, and cultural activities.
6. Russian
Russian is widely spoken in Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. While it has a significant presence in this region, it’s not an inherently Asian language but an East Slavic language belonging to the Indo-European language family. Approximately 255 million speak Russian.
7. Urdu
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and an official language in India. Over 232 million people in South Asia speak Urdu. It has a unique script and vocabulary influenced by Persian, Arabic, and Turkish.
8. Bahasa Indonesian
Bahasa Indonesia brings together the different cultures of 17,000 Indonesian islands with 199 million speakers. It has evolved from Malay roots and incorporates Sanskrit, Arabic, and Dutch influences, making it a rich and diverse language reflecting Indonesia’s history and cultural interactions.
9. Japanese
As the language of 123 million speakers, Japanese significantly influences global culture. This influence is evident in the widespread popularity of its traditional customs and modern phenomena like anime and video games.
10. Marathi
Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra, the third-largest state in India. Around 99 million people speak this language, and speakers are also found in 113 countries worldwide, including the USA, Europe, Israel, and Mauritius.
11. Telugu
Telugu is dominant in Southern India, and approximately 96 million people speak the language. It’s also used in parts of Sri Lanka and spoken in communities worldwide, especially in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the Gulf countries.
12. Tamil
Tamil is spoken predominantly in Tamil Nadu, India, and Sri Lanka. It’s an official language in India, and approximately 87 million speakers worldwide use it in their daily communication. Did you know that Tamil also has its Tamil cinema, known as Kollywood, which enjoys widespread popularity and acclaim in the global film industry?
13. Yue Chinese (Cantonese)
Tied with Tamil is Yue Chinese, which also has 87 million speakers. Also known as Cantonese, Yue Chinese is a major group of Chinese dialects spoken primarily in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as in Hong Kong and Macau.
Cantonese has its own writing system, distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar compared to Mandarin Chinese. It’s also an important language in the Chinese diaspora, particularly in communities in Southeast Asia, North America, Australia, and Europe.
14. Vietnamese
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam and is spoken by most of the population. France’s colonization of Vietnam in the late 19th century significantly influenced modern Vietnamese vocabulary, especially in areas like food, fashion, infrastructure, and certain technical terms. (source)
15. Wu Chinese
Wu Chinese is spoken by 83 million speakers, mainly in the southeastern provinces of China, including Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and parts of Anhui and Fujian. While it’s a beautiful and historically significant language, Mandarin (Putonghua) became China’s official language for national unity and effective communication. Regional languages like Wu Chinese persist and are valued for their cultural heritage.
The World’s Most Spoken Languages
While Asian languages may numerically dominate the global rankings, their Western counterparts, like English and Spanish, have capitalized on historical and economic forces to achieve a worldwide presence.
English has over 1.456 billion speakers and is the top global language used in business, media, and entertainment. Meanwhile, 559 million people speak Spanish in various countries, including Mexico, the United States, Argentina, and Peru.
See the 100 Most Spoken Languages in the World. How many of these languages can you speak?
FAQ’s
1. What is the easiest Asian language to learn?
Indonesian and Malaysian are the easiest Asian languages to learn because they are not tonal languages. Tonal languages rely on the combination of tone and pronunciation to convey meaning. The lack of tone in these Southeast Asian languages makes imitating pronunciation and working with the language’s sounds simpler.
2. What languages do Asians speak in America?
The top five Asian American languages spoken in the US are English, Chinese, Hindi, Filipino (Tagalog), and Vietnamese.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 34% of U.S. Asians speak only English at home. Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese) is spoken by 17% of Asians at home. Hindi is spoken by 13%, followed by Filipino (9%) and Vietnamese (7%).
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.