Bengali surpasses Hindi to become the most spoken regional language in world

In a historic shift, Bengali has surpassed Hindi in global linguistic rankings, marking a significant milestone for an Indian regional language. Data from 2023 placed Hindi as the third most spoken language globally, with approximately 609.5 million speakers, while Bengali ranked seventh, with 272.8 million speakers. However, fresh statistics from 2024 suggest that Bengali has now overtaken Hindi in global speaker count. The final figures are expected to be published soon in a report recognized by UNESCO’s Global Population Rank.

These global rankings are updated annually, and by late 2024, UNESCO-affiliated institutions analyzed the rapid expansion of Bengali-speaking populations worldwide. While Bangladesh remains the largest Bengali-speaking region, India also contributes significantly, with Bengali speakers spread across West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, and South India. Outside South Asia, sizable Bengali-speaking communities exist in Europe, Australia, parts of East Africa, and various U.S. states. Despite this global growth, Hindi remains the most widely spoken regional language within India.

Dr. Niladrisekhar Das, head of the Linguistic Research Unit at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), expressed pride in Bengali’s global rise, emphasizing that this milestone brings new responsibilities. He explained that the linguistic ranking influences India’s government policies, Bangladesh’s international engagements, and even language-based research in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Somalia. The ISI, which plays a key role in organizing linguistic data, is collaborating with global research institutions to analyze these trends.

Speaking on the implications of this shift, Dr. Das stated, "If we focus solely on India, the central government closely monitors the number of Bengali-speaking citizens abroad. They track expatriates, assess their contributions to national employment, and evaluate their economic reliance on India. This data helps develop linguistic databases and communication strategies for Bengali speakers both within and outside the country." Additionally, linguistic records are maintained for non-Indian residents whose mother tongue is Bengali.

The impact of this linguistic ranking extends beyond government policies. Global industries—including pharmaceuticals, technology, and education—rely on such data for commercial purposes. Companies analyze language-based insights to shape advertising campaigns, refine marketing strategies, and expand their consumer base. With Bengali gaining prominence on the global map, this development is expected to influence international business decisions, policymaking, and linguistic research in the coming years.