Learn SpanishWhat Countries Speak Spanish?

When you consider the fact that Spanish has the second largest number of speakers around the world, you’re probably wondering then:

What countries & continents speak Spanish?

From Asia to the Americas, there are many places in the world that speak Spanish with over 500 million speakers total, worldwide. And that’s pretty impressive. Simply put, if you can speak, read or understand Spanish, you’re already ahead of the game both personally and professionally, since Spanish is a global language.

However, the history of Spanish is a complex one as Spanish didn’t always naturally develop as the language of choice for these millions of people. In reality, the tongue’s use is the product of centuries of history, the majority of which concerns turbulent periods of migration and colonization.

Where Do People Speak Spanish?

From Spanish-speaking countries in Africa to Spanish-speaking countries in Asia, the number of Spanish speakers across the world is growing. According to the Pew Research Centre, in the US alone, the number of speakers has grown by an enormous 233% since 1980, and looking globally, the Cervantes Institute predicts that the population in officially Spanish-speaking nations is predicted to reach 750 million by 2050.

That, of course, is discounting the countless hundreds of millions worldwide who have picked up–or are in the process of picking up Spanish as an additional tongue. Out of all the languages in the world, Spanish is the third most studied language, ranking right after English and French. So, whether for personal reasons or business, many people are inspired to learn Spanish, and SpanishAsia.com has taught hundreds of people with our  lessons that help people go out into the world speaking conversational Spanish confidently.

Which Country or Continent Is Home to the Most Spanish Language Speakers?

Today, the Americas take that claim as being home to the most Spanish language speakers in the world. Here are some facts:

• Mexico has the most speakers with 110 million
• Colombia is second in line
• The USA is tied with Argentina at about 41 million
• Next, comes Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala and Cuba
• The Americas are home to around 470 million Spanish speakers.

And as we speak, many more people are intrigued by the idea of learning Spanish and what it can do for them while traveling, working, or just living life.

How Many Countries Speak Spanish?

We can tell you that 20 countries count Spanish as the official language.

Here is the official list:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Spain
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Although it’s not an official language, Spanish is commonly spoken in the United States, Belize, Andorra and Gibraltar.