Interesting facts about Spanish

Did you know that there are more than 6,000 languages in the world, and one of them is spoken by 7.5% of the global population? Learn more about this and other interesting facts about Spanish.

Globe (2017) by NastyaSenseiFundación Antonio de Nebrija

1. Spanish represents 7.5% of the world's languages

Some sources suggest that there are around 7,000 languages in the whole world, while others are more circumspect, estimating that the number could lie anywhere between 6,000 and 10,000. Regardless, most inhabitants of the globe communicate using a much smaller number of them.

Mexico City (2021) by Jose VasquezFundación Antonio de Nebrija

2. A language on the rise

The growing number of Spanish speakers is mainly due to population growth in places where Spanish is the official language. Population growth in Mexico alone represents the addition of another 1.2 million Spanish speakers per year.

School (2020) by Katerina HolmesFundación Antonio de Nebrija

3. It is one of the world's most commonly studied languages

In 18 of the European Union's 27 member states, Spanish is the most popular language among those wanting to learn a second language. In the USA, Spanish is by far the most commonly studied language at all levels of the education system.

Skyview of MAdrid (2020) by Jo KassisFundación Antonio de Nebrija

4. It is key to economic activity

The Spanish-speaking community has a purchasing power of around 9% of global GDP. This potential, when added to the number of Spanish speakers and the global reach of the language, means that Spanish is an economic force when compared with other languages.

X-ray (2020) by Robinson AvilaFundación Antonio de Nebrija

5. It is one of the main languages in science

After English, Spanish is the second most common language for publications of scientific documents. However, the global presence of Spanish in the field of science puts it in fourth place.

Frida Kahlo graffiti art (2021) by Brett SaylesFundación Antonio de Nebrija

6. Spanish-language culture is on the rise

Spain, Mexico, and Argentina are among the fifteen main countries in the world when it comes to producing books and films.

Instagram (2021) by Amar PreciadoFundación Antonio de Nebrija

7. Spanish is the third most commonly used language on the internet

7.9% of internet users communicate in Spanish, making it the second most commonly used language on digital platforms. Only one Spanish-speaking country—Mexico—is among the 10 countries with the greatest number of internet users.

Philippines (2022) by Darwin FrivaldoFundación Antonio de Nebrija

8. Spanish has influenced other languages

Spanish was the lingua franca in the Philippines from the early 20th century onward, and today 33% of words in Tagalog are Spanish in origin. There are also four languages that are based on Spanish: Chavacano, Palenquero, Papiamento, and Yopará (also known as Jopara).

Woman Leaning on Wall (2019) by Robinson AvilaFundación Antonio de Nebrija

9. It is the official language of countries in three continents

Most of them are in the Americas, with the exception of Spain and Equatorial Guinea (the latter being the only African country and the only place in the Western Sahara to have Spanish as an official language).

Neon light text (2021) by Blue ArauzFundación Antonio de Nebrija

10. It has more than 93,000 words in its vocabulary

The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy currently contains more than 93,000 words. However, this fact is somewhat contentious, given that dictionaries often do not include all the words used by speakers of a language.

Credits: Story

Curator: Rodrigo Díaz

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