* Data collection is challenging: There's no universally agreed-upon definition of what constitutes a "first language" or how to accurately count speakers in all Arabic-speaking countries.
* Language variations: Arabic has various dialects, some of which are mutually unintelligible.
* Political factors: Some regions with significant Arabic populations may not be officially recognized or counted due to political reasons.
However, according to estimates from various sources, around 370 million to 420 million people worldwide speak Arabic as their native language.
It's important to note that this is just an estimate and could vary depending on the specific data source and methodology used.