Here's a breakdown:
* Sweden: Approximately 9 million people speak Swedish as their native language.
* Finland: About 5% of the population (around 300,000 people) are native Swedish speakers.
* Other Countries: Small communities of Swedish speakers can be found in other countries, particularly in places with historical ties to Sweden, such as parts of Estonia, Latvia, and Russia.
Additionally, there are smaller groups of Swedish speakers in places like:
* United States: Mainly in Minnesota and other Midwestern states.
* Canada: Primarily in Ontario and Saskatchewan.
* Australia: A smaller community of Swedish descendants.
While Swedish is primarily spoken in Sweden and Finland, it is a language with a global presence due to historical migration patterns and its influence in various fields, such as music, literature, and academia.