Countries that speak Spanish
Spanish is the second most spoken language by native speakers in the world, with over 480 million native speakers across 20 countries. It is the dominant language throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina, as well as Spain and Equatorial Guinea. Spanish is also the second most spoken language in the United States, with over 41 million native speakers. The language's global influence spans business, culture, literature, and international relations.
Complete list of countries that speak Spanish
| # | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Equatorial Guinea | 1.67M |
| 2 |  Paraguay | 6.11M |
| 3 |  Argentina | 46.74M |
| 4 |  Belize | 417.6K |
| 5 |  Costa Rica | 5.31M |
| 6 |  Cuba | 9.75M |
| 7 |  El Salvador | 6.03M |
| 8 |  Peru | 34.35M |
| 9 |  Puerto Rico | 3.20M |
| 10 |  Dominican Republic | 10.77M |
| 11 |  Uruguay | 3.50M |
| 12 |  Bolivia | 11.37M |
| 13 |  Chile | 20.21M |
| 14 |  Nicaragua | 6.80M |
| 15 |  Guatemala | 18.08M |
| 16 |  Colombia | 53.06M |
| 17 |  Spain | 49.32M |
| 18 |  Venezuela | 28.52M |
| 19 |  Panama | 4.06M |
| 20 |  Western Sahara | 600.9K |
| 21 |  Ecuador | 18.10M |
| 22 |  Guam | 153.8K |
| 23 |  Mexico | 130.58M |
| 24 |  Honduras | 9.89M |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries speak Spanish?
Spanish is the official language in 20 countries, primarily in Latin America and Spain. It is also widely spoken in the United States, the Philippines, and parts of Africa.
What is the largest Spanish-speaking country?
Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country by population with over 128 million people, followed by Colombia (51 million) and Argentina (45 million). Spain has about 47 million people.
Is Spanish hard to learn?
Spanish is considered one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn, due to its phonetic spelling, consistent grammar rules, and shared Latin vocabulary. The US Foreign Service Institute estimates 600–750 hours of study to achieve proficiency.