What Rank Is Hausa Language in the World?
When people ask “What rank is Hausa language in the world?”, they are usually wondering about the global standing of Hausa compared to other languages — especially in terms of the number of speakers, cultural influence, and international recognition.
Hausa isn’t just another African language; it is a powerful linguistic force with millions of speakers, deep cultural history, and extensive regional influence across West and Central Africa. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the full answer to the question “What rank is Hausa language in the world?”, including:
- Global ranking by number of speakers
- How Hausa compares to other world languages
- Hausa’s role as a lingua franca
- Why Hausa’s ranking matters
- Estimates from reliable sources
- Regional and educational influence
- Future trends
Whether you are a language learner, student, cultural researcher, or just curious, this post gives a full answer and context.
Understanding Language Rankings
Before answering “What rank is Hausa language in the world?”, we should understand how languages are ranked globally.
Languages are typically ranked based on:
- Total number of speakers: Includes both native (first language) and second-language speakers.
- Native speakers alone: The number of people who speak it as their first language.
- Regional influence: Use as lingua franca or trade language.
- Media, business, and cultural presence: Radio, TV, international services, and written literature.
So when we talk about the global position of Hausa, the focus is mostly on how many people speak it and how it compares to other world languages.
Worldwide Speakers of Hausa Language
One of the most important factors in answering “What rank is Hausa language in the world?” is the number of speakers.
According to recent global linguistic data:
- Hausa is spoken by around 94 million people worldwide, when combining both native (L1) and second-language (L2) speakers.
- This includes roughly 58 million native speakers and about 36 million second-language speakers.
These figures place Hausa among the top 20 most spoken languages globally.
Global Ranking by Number of Speakers
Hausa is Ranked 19th Most Spoken Language in the World
Based on recent rankings from global data sources (like Visual Capitalist, Ethnologue compilations, and language reports):
🌍 Hausa ranks 19th in the world when languages are ordered by total number of speakers.
Here’s a snapshot of the top 25 most spoken languages in 2025:
| Rank | Language | Total Speakers (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ~1.528 billion |
| 2 | Mandarin Chinese | ~1.184 billion |
| 3 | Hindi | ~609 million |
| 4 | Spanish | ~558 million |
| 5 | Standard Arabic | ~335 million |
| 6 | French | ~312 million |
| 7 | Bengali | ~284 million |
| 8 | Portuguese | ~267 million |
| 9 | Russian | ~253 million |
| 10 | Indonesian | ~252 million |
| 11 | Urdu | ~246 million |
| 12 | German | ~134 million |
| 13 | Japanese | ~126 million |
| 14 | Nigerian Pidgin | ~121 million |
| 15 | Egyptian Arabic | ~119 million |
| 16 | Marathi | ~99 million |
| 17 | Vietnamese | ~97 million |
| 18 | Telugu | ~96 million |
| 19 | Hausa | ~94 million |
| 20 | Turkish | ~91 million |
| 21 | Western Punjabi | ~90 million |
| 22 | Swahili | ~87 million |
| 23 | Tagalog | ~87 million |
| 24 | Tamil | ~86 million |
| 25 | Cantonese (Yue Chinese) | ~86 million |
This global snapshot answers the main question:
👉 Hausa language ranks approximately 19th in the world by total number of speakers.
Why Hausa Is So Widely Spoken
To fully understand why Hausa ranks so high globally, we should look beyond raw numbers and examine deeper reasons for its spread.
1. Hausa as a Lingua Franca
Hausa is not only spoken by the Hausa ethnic group but also widely used as a common communication language across multiple countries. It acts as a lingua franca — a language used between people who have different native languages — especially in:
- Northern Nigeria
- Republic of Niger
- Ghana
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Burkina Faso
- Sudan
This wide use contributes significantly to its number of second-language speakers.
2. Hausa in Trade and Commerce
For centuries, Hausa has been used as the language of trade and markets across West and Central Africa:
- Hausa traders historically moved goods across trans-Saharan routes.
- Today, Hausa markets operate across Nigeria, Niger, and into francophone countries.
- Even in diaspora communities (like Libya and Saudi Arabia), Hausa is used in commerce.
This economic role increases its spread and makes it valuable for people from different linguistic backgrounds to learn and use it.
3. Media and Broadcasting Influence
Hausa has substantial media presence:
- BBC Hausa Service
- Voice of America (VOA) Hausa broadcast
- Deutsche Welle Hausa Service
These international services broadcast news, entertainment, and educational content in Hausa, expanding its reach even further.
This media footprint strengthens Hausa’s global linguistic footprint and contributes to its overall ranking.
4. Islamic and Cultural Influence
Because most Hausa people are Muslim, the language has a long tradition of Islamic scholarship and theology. Many Islamic texts, schools (madrasas), and religious networks operate in Hausa, making it important not just culturally but religiously across regions.
Comparisons With Other Languages
Understanding the global ranking requires comparing Hausa with other languages:
Hausa vs. Swahili
Both Hausa and Swahili are among Africa’s most important languages:
- Swahili has extensive official status in East Africa and is widely learned as a second language across countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
- Hausa, ranked around 19th globally, has a comparable or even larger number of total speakers than Swahili (which is often estimated at ~87 million).
Despite Swahili’s broader institutional recognition, Hausa’s sheer speaker number and widespread use reinforce its global ranking.
Hausa vs. Other Major Nigerian Languages
Within Nigeria:
- Hausa is the most widely spoken indigenous language.
- Yoruba and Igbo follow with smaller speaker populations.
This internal strength supports Hausa’s international role as well.
Different Data Estimates and Variations
Why Different Ranks Sometimes Appear
Some online sources sometimes claim Hausa ranks even higher (e.g., 11th globally with around 150 million speakers). These figures often use older or broader estimations.
However, the most current and widely cited linguistic surveys (including Ethnologue and Visual Capitalist data) place Hausa around 19th most spoken language worldwide.
This variation happens because:
- Some figures include estimates of additional second-language speakers.
- Older or less verified surveys sometimes inflate numbers.
- Different methods of counting dialects or related languages can change rankings.
Nevertheless, the accepted modern ranking — based on reputable global data — puts Hausa firmly among the top 20 languages in the world.
Native vs. Total Speakers
When we answer “What rank is Hausa language in the world?”, it helps to separate:
Native (L1) Hausa Speakers
- Native speakers are those who learned it as a first language.
- Estimates vary, but current data suggests around 58 million native Hausa speakers worldwide.
Total (L1 + L2) Speakers
- When second-language users are included, total Hausa speakers increase significantly — exceeding 90 million people globally.
Counting both native and second-language speakers is standard for global language rankings, which is why Hausa’s position is considered strong worldwide.
Why Hausa’s Global Rank Matters
You might be wondering: Why should we care about what rank Hausa is globally?
Here are key reasons:
1. Cultural Recognition
Hausa’s high global position showcases the strength and resilience of African indigenous languages in a world dominated by European and Asian languages.
2. Educational Importance
Knowing that Hausa is widely spoken encourages scholars to invest in:
- Hausa literature
- Linguistic studies
- Translation and interpretation
- Language technology
3. Economic Value
In West and Central Africa, Hausa is crucial for business, trade, and social networking — giving speakers and learners real economic advantages.
4. Media and Technology
Hausa’s ranking attracts more digital content, apps, and platforms built in Hausa — including news sites, social media pages, and educational tools.
Hausa in Education and Global Learning
In addition to being widely spoken, Hausa is studied academically:
- Universities in Africa, Europe, and the Americas include Hausa in African language programs.
- Research and academic resources about Hausa continue to grow.
- Hausa is recognized in official language systems of multiple countries, with Niger recently making Hausa an official language.
Education plays a key role in maintaining and increasing Hausa’s global footprint and relevance.
Common Misconceptions About Hausa’s Rank
Some people mistakenly believe:
❌ Hausa is only spoken in Nigeria and Niger.
➡️ False — Hausa is widely spoken across West and Central Africa and even in diaspora communities.
❌ Hausa is a small regional language.
➡️ False — It is among the world’s top 20 most spoken languages.
❌ Hausa has fewer speakers than some European languages.
➡️ Not always true — Hausa may surpass languages like Turkish and Swahili in some rankings.
Understanding accurate data helps clear these misconceptions.
Future Outlook: Will Hausa Rise Higher?
With globalization and Nigerian demographic growth, Hausa may continue to climb in global rankings. Factors working in its favor include:
- Population growth in West Africa
- Increased media presence
- Diaspora communities abroad
- Technology and language learning platforms
While it remains in the top 20 currently, Hausa could rank even higher in the future as more people adopt it for trade, communication, and cultural exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What rank is Hausa language in the world?
➡️ Hausa is currently ranked around 19th most spoken language globally when counting total speakers.
2. How many people speak Hausa?
➡️ About 94 million people worldwide speak Hausa as a first or second language.
3. Is Hausa more widely spoken than Swahili?
➡️ In terms of total speakers, Hausa is often ranked just above Swahili in recent data.
4. Is Hausa the most spoken African language?
➡️ Hausa is one of the most spoken indigenous African languages, and its total speaker count rivals other major African languages.
5. How widespread is Hausa outside Africa?
➡️ Hausa diaspora communities exist in Europe, the Middle East, and North America, where language and culture are maintained.
Conclusion
So, what rank is Hausa language in the world?
👉 Hausa is one of the most widely spoken languages globally, ranking around 19th most spoken language in the world based on total number of speakers including both first- and second-language users.
This impressive ranking reflects:
- Hausa’s spread across multiple countries
- Its role as a lingua franca in West and Central Africa
- Historical influence in trade and culture
- Media and educational importance
Far from being a small regional language, Hausa stands as a major world language — connecting millions, shaping cultures, and continuing to grow in influence.