Introduction

Swedish is a North Germanic language spoken by approximately 10 million people worldwide. It is the official language of Sweden and one of the official languages of Finland. Swedish is also widely spoken in Norway, where it has official status in some municipalities, and in parts of Estonia. In this article, we will explore how many people speak Swedish and the reasons why it’s an important language to learn.

Swedish Speakers Worldwide

According to Ethnologue, a database of world languages, there are approximately 10.2 million speakers of Swedish worldwide. Of these, 9.8 million are native speakers, while the remaining 400,000 are second language speakers. Swedish is the 89th most spoken language in the world, making it a relatively small language in terms of global reach.

The majority of Swedish speakers are located in Sweden, where it is the official language. As of 2021, the population of Sweden is approximately 10.4 million people, of which 10 million are Swedish speakers. This means that almost the entire population of Sweden speaks Swedish as their first language.

Outside of Sweden, Swedish is also spoken in Finland, where it is one of the official languages. As of 2021, the population of Finland is approximately 5.5 million people, of which 290,000 are Swedish speakers. This means that around 5% of the population of Finland speaks Swedish as their first language.

In Norway, Swedish is not an official language, but it is widely spoken in some municipalities along the border with Sweden. As of 2021, the population of Norway is approximately 5.4 million people, of which 40,000 are Swedish speakers. This means that less than 1% of the population of Norway speaks Swedish as their first language.

In Estonia, Swedish is spoken by the Swedish-speaking minority, which makes up around 5% of the population. As of 2021, the population of Estonia is approximately 1.3 million people, of which 60,000 are Swedish speakers.

Swedish as a Second Language

While Swedish is primarily spoken in Sweden, it is also studied as a second language in many countries around the world. According to the Swedish Institute, there are approximately 200,000 people studying Swedish as a foreign language worldwide. The majority of these students are located in Germany, followed by the United States, Norway, and Denmark.

Swedish is also one of the working languages of the European Union, which means that it is used in official documents and meetings alongside other languages such as English, French, and German. This makes Swedish an important language for anyone interested in working in the EU or in international organizations.

Why Learn Swedish?

There are many reasons why someone might want to learn Swedish, whether as a first or second language. Here are just a few:

• Travel: If you plan on visiting Sweden or other Swedish-speaking countries, knowing the language can make your trip more enjoyable and immersive.
• Work: As mentioned earlier, Swedish is one of the working languages of the European Union, which means that it can be useful for anyone interested in working in the EU or in international organizations.
• Culture: Learning Swedish can give you access to Swedish literature, music, and film, which can be a great way to learn more about the culture and history of Sweden.
• Personal growth: Learning a new language can be a challenging and rewarding experience that can help you develop new skills and broaden your perspective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Swedish is spoken by approximately 10 million people worldwide, with the majority of speakers located in Sweden. While it is a relatively small language in terms of global reach, it is an important language for anyone interested in working in the EU or in international organizations. Learning Swedish can also be a great way to explore Swedish culture and history, as well as to challenge yourself and develop new skills.