At Expat Explore, we’re all about experiencing new destinations and learning about different cultures. And what better way to do that than by exploring the culturally diverse landscape of linguistics?
Languages are more than just a way to communicate, they offer fascinating insights into a nation’s past and present. They reflect a region’s history, people, culture, and trade routes that have shaped it into what it is today.
Get ready to set off on a global adventure to discover some of the most multilingual countries. From island nations boasting hundreds of indigenous languages to melting pots where global commerce fuels linguistic diversity, we’ll be uncovering the unique factors that contribute to the world’s most multilingual countries.
Related: Discover the top cultural events around the world.
Read on to discover the world’s most multilingual countries
Papua New Guinea
3 Official languages
Taking the crown for the most linguistically diverse country is Papua New Guinea. This island nation boasts a staggering 840 languages spoken by its population of approximately 9.4 million. While only 3 official languages are recognised, the rugged terrain and geographically isolated communities of Papua New Guinea have contributed to this remarkable linguistic diversity. While English, Tok Pisin (a local Creole language), and Hiri Motu hold official status, hundreds of indigenous languages contribute to the diverse linguistic landscape across the country.
Bolivia
37 official languages
Bolivia is a South American country, known for its beauty and collection of unique languages. While Spanish reigns supreme, a remarkable 36 other languages are recognised as official languages. This reflects the country’s deep indigenous roots and commitment to preserving this rich heritage.
Bolivia is one of the few countries in the area where a significant percentage of its population still speaks multiple indigenous languages. As a result, the country has included these vocabularies in the constitution. These indigenous languages, like Aymara and Quechua, face the challenge of being made redundant in a Spanish-dominant world. But Bolivia is actively working to ensure their survival for future generations by having them as official languages.
Related: Interested in travelling to Latin America? Get the lowdown on Latin America and find out everything you need to know to be trip-ready in no time!
India
22 official languages
India is a land of bustling, colourful cities, stunning landscapes and a vibrant mix of cultures. Because of this, it is one of the most multilingual countries in the world. With 22 official languages, India’s most spoken languages include Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu. These languages have a long literary tradition and are spoken by millions. The government actively promotes these languages in education, administration, and media, to promote their use.
Languages like Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-European language, hold immense cultural and religious significance. Recognising 22 official languages promotes inclusivity across the vast Indian population. Every voice will be honoured and heard in this colourful country of cultural diversity.
Zimbabwe
16 official languages
This wildly beautiful African country is home to 16 official languages. Shona, Ndebele, and English are the most widely spoken. While these languages are the most common, smaller languages like Chewa, Kalanga, and Sotho also play a role. This variety reflects Zimbabwe’s diverse heritage, and you’ll find these languages in schools, government offices, and even some media outlets.
South Africa
12 official languages
Recently, South Africa has gone from 11 official languages to 12. Including South African Sign Language (SASL) in the constitution marks a significant step towards a more inclusive society. This recognition aims to empower the deaf community by ensuring their language is culturally accepted and gives them equal access to legal protections.
South Africa’s official languages include English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana, and 7 other native African languages. This showcases just how much the “Rainbow Nation” prides itself in its diverse and multicultural society.
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Nigeria
1 official language
While there are over 500 languages spoken in Nigeria, the country only has one official language — English. Other major languages include Hausa, Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, Igbo, and Fulfulde. Nigeria is a great example of how countries’ languages are fueled by their economic state and population size.
Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, making it a powerhouse full of culturally and linguistically diverse people. Due to its large population of Indigenous people, this vibrant mix of languages thrives in different regions. Speaking multiple languages is also a natural part of daily life in Nigeria, with many citizens comfortably navigating several languages throughout their day.
Switzerland
4 official languages
Switzerland’s four official languages reflect the country’s geographical location. Being on the border of Germany, France, and Italy. German is the number one spoken language with over 60% of the population speaking it as their main language. Not to be confused with standard German, it is a combination of Alemannic dialects collectively called Swiss German.
French and Italian dominate in their respective bordering regions. Romansh, a Rhaeto-Romance language, holds official status but is spoken by a much smaller population, primarily in the canton of Graubünden. This multilingualism is a cornerstone of Swiss culture, with the government ensuring each language is respected and used in official capacities.
Related: Embrace that open Swiss air and embark on these top outdoor activities in Switzerland!
Singapore
4 official languages
The island nation of Singapore is another culturally and linguistically diverse country. The four official languages of Singapore are English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. Being one of the world’s most important financial centres, Singapore attracts a wide range of people from all over the world. This is why English is the administrative and educational language.
Malay, the national language, holds symbolic importance due to the country’s history and border with Malaysia. Mandarin Chinese, spoken by the majority ethnic group, dominates as a home language. Tamil comes from the large Indian community and this multilingualism fosters a unique Singaporean identity, with most residents being bilingual or even trilingual. Singaporeans tend to mix local languages with English and have dubbed this fun and unique way of speaking as “Singlish”.
The United States
0 official languages
It should come as no surprise that the United States holds a place among the most multilingual countries. With over 350 languages echoed across the nation, the one surprising thing about the USA’s official language is that there technically isn’t one. Although, English has been dubbed the unofficial official language.
Reflecting the waves of immigration that have shaped the USA’s identity over the years, this wide variety of languages spoken across the United States gives insight into the history of this nation.
Related: Experience the many languages in the USA for yourself with our Eastern USA & Canada Escape!
This is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to culturally and linguistically diverse countries. It’s normal for most European countries to have more than one official language, Belgium and Luxembourg, for example, each have 3 official languages whilst Finland has two. There is a whole world full of words and phrases just waiting to be discovered!
Looking to embark on a multilingual adventure of a lifetime? Book a multi-country tour!