Countries that speak French
French is one of the most influential languages in the world, spoken as an official language in 29 countries across five continents. Originally the language of diplomacy, French remains a key language in international organizations including the United Nations, European Union, and NATO. With over 300 million speakers globally, French is especially prevalent in Western Europe, Canada (Quebec), West and Central Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Southeast Asia. Africa is now home to the majority of French speakers, and that number is projected to grow significantly.
Complete list of countries that speak French
| # | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  DR Congo | 112.83M |
| 2 |  France | 66.35M |
| 3 |  Canada | 41.65M |
| 4 |  Madagascar | 31.73M |
| 5 |  Ivory Coast | 31.72M |
| 6 |  Cameroon | 29.44M |
| 7 |  Niger | 26.31M |
| 8 |  Burkina Faso | 24.07M |
| 9 |  Mali | 22.40M |
| 10 |  Chad | 19.34M |
| 11 |  Senegal | 18.59M |
| 12 |  Guinea | 14.36M |
| 13 |  Rwanda | 14.10M |
| 14 |  Benin | 13.22M |
| 15 |  Burundi | 12.33M |
| 16 |  Haiti | 11.87M |
| 17 |  Belgium | 11.83M |
| 18 |  Switzerland | 9.08M |
| 19 |  Togo | 8.10M |
| 20 |  Central African Republic | 6.47M |
| 21 |  Republic of the Congo | 6.14M |
| 22 |  Lebanon | 5.49M |
| 23 |  Gabon | 2.47M |
| 24 |  Equatorial Guinea | 1.67M |
| 25 |  Mauritius | 1.24M |
| 26 |  Djibouti | 1.07M |
| 27 |  Comoros | 919.9K |
| 28 |  Réunion | 896.2K |
| 29 |  Luxembourg | 682.0K |
| 30 |  Guadeloupe | 378.6K |
| 31 |  Martinique | 349.9K |
| 32 |  Vanuatu | 321.4K |
| 33 |  Mayotte | 320.9K |
| 34 |  French Guiana | 292.4K |
| 35 |  French Polynesia | 279.5K |
| 36 |  New Caledonia | 264.6K |
| 37 |  Seychelles | 122.7K |
| 38 |  Jersey | 103.3K |
| 39 |  Guernsey | 64.8K |
| 40 |  Sint Maarten | 41.3K |
| 41 |  Monaco | 38.4K |
| 42 |  Saint Martin | 31.5K |
| 43 |  Wallis and Futuna | 11.6K |
| 44 |  Saint Barthélemy | 10.6K |
| 45 |  Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 5.8K |
| 46 |  French Southern and Antarctic Lands | 400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries speak French?
French is an official language in 29 countries. The largest French-speaking countries by population include the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Canada, Madagascar, and Cameroon.
Where is French spoken in Africa?
French is widely spoken across West and Central Africa, including countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Madagascar. Africa has more French speakers than any other continent.
Is French still important globally?
Yes. French is an official language of the UN, EU, NATO, and the International Olympic Committee. It is the second most studied language worldwide and a key language in diplomacy, fashion, gastronomy, and the arts.