Countries that speak Portuguese
Portuguese is spoken by over 260 million people worldwide, making it the sixth most spoken language globally. It is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Brazil alone accounts for over 210 million Portuguese speakers, making it by far the largest lusophone country. Portuguese is also growing rapidly in Africa, where several countries use it as their official language.
Complete list of countries that speak Portuguese
| # | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Equatorial Guinea | 1.67M |
| 2 |  Guinea-Bissau | 1.78M |
| 3 |  Brazil | 213.42M |
| 4 |  São Tomé and Príncipe | 209.6K |
| 5 |  Timor-Leste | 1.39M |
| 6 |  Mozambique | 34.09M |
| 7 |  Angola | 36.17M |
| 8 |  Macau | 685.9K |
| 9 |  Portugal | 10.75M |
| 10 |  Cape Verde | 491.2K |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries speak Portuguese?
Portuguese is the official language in 9 countries across four continents: Europe (Portugal), South America (Brazil), Africa (Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea), and Asia (East Timor).
Is Brazilian Portuguese different from European Portuguese?
Yes. While mutually intelligible, Brazilian and European Portuguese differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and some grammar. Brazilian Portuguese tends to be more open in vowel sounds and has incorporated indigenous and African influences.
Why is Portuguese spoken in so many countries?
Portugal was one of the earliest colonial powers, establishing a vast maritime empire in the 15th–16th centuries that stretched across South America, Africa, and Asia. Portuguese became the dominant language in these colonies and persisted after independence.