Papua New Guinea tops the world in linguistic diversity, with 843 living languages in 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Papua New Guinea remains unmatched: With 843 living languages, the Pacific nation continues to hold the title of the world’s most linguistically diverse country.
  • Nigeria tops Africa: Hosting 530 living languages, Nigeria ranks third globally and stands as Africa’s richest linguistic hub.
  • Indonesia (709) and India (454) are also in the top five, showcasing the dense cultural mosaic across Asia.
  • Even large, developed countries like the U.S. (239), Australia (225), and Brazil (222) make the list, proving that language diversity transcends geography and development.

In 2025, the world’s linguistic landscape remains remarkably vibrant, with Papua New Guinea and Nigeria leading the way in global language diversity. A living language is one that is still actively spoken, passed down from parents to children, used in homes, stories, and daily interactions. These are languages that continue to evolve because people use them to live, think, and connect. Papua New Guinea, with 843 living languages, stands as the world’s linguistic epicentre, while Nigeria, home to 530, anchors Africa’s immense cultural and ethnic diversity. Alongside nations like Indonesia, India, and Mexico, these countries remind us that even in an increasingly globalised world, the voices of local languages continue to thrive, preserving the sound, identity, and heritage of countless communities.

Source:

Ethnologue

Period:

2025
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