Spanish language reaches 640 million users globally

The Spanish language has reached 640 million potential users worldwide, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous year, according to the 2026 Yearbook from the Instituto Cervantes. The report, presented in Beijing, notes that the community of native speakers has surpassed 520 million.

In China, the language is seeing significant growth, with approximately 98,000 potential users, including over 66,000 learners. Enrollments in Spanish language programs in China rose by 12.6% between 2023 and 2025, with 98% of Chinese universities offering Hispanic studies.

Experts note a shift in demand within China, where businesses are increasingly seeking professionals who combine Spanish proficiency with technical or business expertise, such as law or accounting, to support investments in Latin America and Spain.