Number of Speakers:
* French: Approximately 300 million native speakers worldwide, with a larger total number of speakers when including second language learners.
* German: Approximately 100 million native speakers worldwide, with a smaller total number of speakers than French.
Based on native speakers alone, French has a significant advantage.
Other Factors:
* Global Influence: French has a more significant global presence, being an official language in many countries in Africa, Europe, and North America. German has a strong presence in Central Europe.
* Media and Culture: French culture (film, music, literature) has a wider global reach than German culture.
* Tourism: France is a top tourist destination, making French a popular language for learning.
Conclusion:
* In terms of total speakers, French is likely "more popular".
* In terms of cultural influence, French has a broader global impact.
* However, German is a significant language in Europe and has a strong economic and technological presence.
Ultimately, the popularity of a language depends on the context and criteria used to measure it.