Top 10 Most Important Languages in the Workforce

Vanessa Korovina

Updated: 13 August 2025 ·

Top 10 Most Important Languages in the Workforce

Flag Map Of The World 2017

What are the most spoken languages in the world? Some international linguists have compiled a list of the 10 most widely spoken languages in the new millennium. The criteria they based their list on include usefulness when traveling and improving job prospects.Here is the ranking of the most useful languages in the world, which will be essential to know in the coming years.

10 - Italian

It is spoken by about seventy million people, with sixty in Italy and ten elsewhere in the world. Its influence extends to another eleven countries, where its usage is common, partly because the descendants of Italian emigrants continue to speak it or are starting to relearn it as a return to their roots in countries like Latin America, the United States, or Australia. In Europe, there are some Italian communities, particularly in countries such as Germany, France, and Belgium.

9 - Portuguese

Although 70% of its speakers live in Brazil, Portuguese is the official language in eight countries and is also commonly used in nations that were former colonies of Portugal. It is estimated that around two hundred sixty million people speak Portuguese.

8 - Japanese

It is spoken by approximately one hundred thirty million people, almost all of whom are in Japan, but it is also used by Japanese communities in Hawaii, Brazil, and some Pacific islands. It is considered an important language because Japan is the third largest economy in the world.

7 - German

Many see it as a guarantee for improved job prospects, thanks to Germany's strong economy. In Europe, it is the most widely spoken language after Russian. It is spoken not only in Germany but also in Austria and Switzerland; in addition, there are many German communities in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Belgium.

6 - Russian

Its influence on the former Soviet Union allows it to be the most spoken Slavic language in the world. It is spoken in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, and in the other former Soviet republics, it is used as a second language. In total, it is known by about two hundred sixty million people. Among European languages, Russian is certainly one of the most difficult due to the study of not only the alphabet but also vocabulary.

5 - Arabic

It is the official language of about twenty Arab countries and is the most widely used language in the Middle East, due to the influence of Islam.

4 - French

Along with English, it is the most widely spoken language across all continents. It is spoken worldwide by about two hundred million people.

3 - Mandarin Chinese

Its importance arises from the fact that it is the most spoken language on the planet. Used by approximately one billion people, either born in China or in other Asian countries with significant Chinese minorities such as Indonesia, Cambodia, and Malaysia. China's economic growth is contributing to the spread of this language.

2 - Spanish

Approximately five hundred million people use it as their first or second language, spread across more than twenty countries. It is the second most studied language after English. A significant presence of this language can also be found in other nations like the United States, which has the second largest Spanish-speaking community in the world, as well as in Andorra, Belize, Gibraltar, and lastly in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, former Spanish colonies.

1 - English

Despite being spoken by fewer native speakers than Chinese and Spanish, English is still the most important language in the business world for various reasons. First, it is spoken on all continents, it is also the official language of the most influential countries on the planet, the most widely used in business and international trade, and finally, it is the most spoken language on the internet. Therefore, regardless of the sector in which you wish to pursue a career, studying English is certainly a valid recommendation. You can do it independently, through apps and platforms that allow you to have online English conversations, or you can enroll in a course and obtain a recognized certification. But regardless of your choice, the important thing is to achieve a good level of comprehension, build a strong vocabulary, and refine your pronunciation.