The graph presents predictions about the number of learners of three major world languages (English, Spanish, and Mandarin) between 2020 and 2030.
Overall, over the ten-year period, English is predicted to remain the most widely learned language despite experiencing fluctuations. In contrast, both Spanish and Mandarin are expected to show steady growth, with a significant increase leading to their convergence at specific points.
The number of Spanish and Mandarin learners is forecasted to rise steadily throughout the period. Notably, Mandarin will see a sharp increase between 2026 and 2028, reaching just under 600 million learners by 2030. Similarly, Spanish will experience consistent growth, though its total in 2030 will be slightly lower, at approximately 500 million. Between 2024 and 2026, the numbers for Spanish and Mandarin are projected to converge at just over 300 million learners.
In stark contrast, English will exhibit fluctuations. From 2020 to 2024, the number of learners will peak at 700 million before declining slightly to just above 600 million by 2026. However, in the subsequent years, the number is expected to recover and reach a peak of nearly 800 million by the end of the period.