Speaking two languages is not rare; in fact, it is a very common ability shared by more than half of the world's population.
Global Prevalence of Bilingualism and Multilingualism
While the perception of bilingualism might vary regionally, globally, it is far from uncommon. Current estimates indicate that a significant portion of the world's inhabitants can communicate in more than one language.
Approximately 43% of people worldwide are bilingual, meaning they can fluently speak two languages. Beyond that, a further 17% of the global population is multilingual, capable of speaking more than two languages. When combined, these figures reveal that over half of the world's population possesses the ability to communicate fluently in more than one language.
A Look at the Numbers
The following table summarizes the global prevalence of speaking multiple languages:
| Language Ability | Estimated Global Percentage |
|---|---|
| Bilingual | 43% |
| Multilingual | 17% |
| Total (2+ languages) | > 50% |
These statistics demonstrate that speaking two languages is a widespread linguistic skill, making it a common rather than a rare occurrence on a global scale.
