Polish is often thought of as a language not widely spoken outside of Poland. However, the number of people who speak it worldwide may be surprisingly high. While it does not compare to English or Spanish, Polish is present even in the most remote regions of the world.
Many foreigners find Polish sounds complex, with its many sounds and inflections. But for native speakers, it’s more than just a language. It’s a part of their heritage that shapes their identity and culture.
How many People speak Polish? Exact number
A common language is one of the most important cultural and national identity pillars. It is not only a tool for exchanging information but also a force that unites society, emphasising national distinctiveness. It is also crucial for forming independence and state autonomy. Poles are well aware of this. It is no wonder that they take special pride in their language, for its uniqueness and rich tradition. It is often emphasized that its complex grammar and pronunciation place it among the most difficult languages in the world.
According to data from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, nearly 45 million people worldwide speak Polish. The largest number, about 38 million, live within Poland. However, a significant group of native language users live abroad, in Germany, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, as well as in Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Among the countries where many Polish speakers can be found are even such distant places as Australia, Argentina, and Israel. Moreover, Polish can also be heard in less obvious places. These include the Brazilian towns of Aurea in Rio Grande do Sul and São Mateus do Sul, where the descendants of former emigrants still cultivate the traditions of their ancestors.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education reports that an increasing number of people are interested in Polish culture and the Polish language, which systematically increases the number of people interested in obtaining official certification of their knowledge of Polish as a foreign language.
Polish: 38th Position According to Visual Capitalist. Popularity is Constantly Growing
According to data cited by Visual Capitalist, Polish ranks 38th in the global ranking of languages. Thus, it surpasses Ukrainian or the Moroccan variant of Arabic. It is also the most frequently used language within the West Slavic languages and ranks second, just behind Russian, in the entire family of Slavic languages. There is also a growing interest in learning Polish among foreigners, which surprises many researchers. Many of them decide to master it in order to study in Poland or find work in rapidly developing industries.
The Polish language’s global presence demonstrates its importance and resilience. Despite being perceived as difficult, it continues to attract interest and maintain a significant number of speakers worldwide. This is thanks to both the large Polish diaspora and the increasing interest in Polish culture and education.
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