What Languages Do They Speak In India?
Explore the languages spoken in India on an interactive map.
India Languages: Quick Facts
Languages
20
Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, English, Malayalan, Odia, Kashmir, Maipuri, Ao, Nissi, Khasi, Bengali, Mizo, Adi, Nysihi, Bhili, Konkani, Marathi, Telugu, Punjabi
Population
1,408,000,000
Cost of living
~ $730
Index: 14.6
Safety / crime index
Crime Index: 44.4
Language Spoken in India Percentage
| Language | Percentage | Population |
|---|---|---|
Hindi | 43.6% | 613,888,000 |
Bengali | 8% | 112,640,000 |
Marathi | 6.9% | 97,152,000 |
Telugu | 6.7% | 94,336,000 |
Tamil | 5.7% | 80,256,000 |
Kannada | 3.6% | 50,688,000 |
Odia | 3.1% | 43,648,000 |
Punjabi | 2.7% | 38,016,000 |
Do They Speak English in India?
English proficiency
Ranked #52 on the EF English Proficiency Index.
In short
In major cities and tourist-facing businesses across India, English is common enough to help you get by. In smaller towns and more local situations, knowing some Hindi is recommended.
FAQ
India Language FAQ
Short answers to common questions about the main languages, English usage, and communication in India.
People in India speak Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, English, Malayalan, Odia, Kashmir, Maipuri, Ao, Nissi, Khasi, Bengali, Mizo, Adi, Nysihi, Bhili, Konkani, Marathi, Telugu, Punjabi.
Hindi is the most widely spoken language.
Hindi is spoken by about 43.6% of the population in India.
That corresponds to roughly 613,888,000 people.
Often yes in major cities and common travel situations, but not everywhere. If you plan to spend time outside the main urban areas, some Hindi is helpful.
- What languages do they speak in India?
People in India speak Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, English, Malayalan, Odia, Kashmir, Maipuri, Ao, Nissi, Khasi, Bengali, Mizo, Adi, Nysihi, Bhili, Konkani, Marathi, Telugu, Punjabi.
Hindi is the most widely spoken language.
- How widely spoken is Hindi in India?
Hindi is spoken by about 43.6% of the population in India.
That corresponds to roughly 613,888,000 people.
- Can you get by with English in India?
Often yes in major cities and common travel situations, but not everywhere. If you plan to spend time outside the main urban areas, some Hindi is helpful.
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