* Data availability: Accurate data on multilingualism is difficult to collect globally. Many countries lack comprehensive surveys on language use.
* Defining "speaks": What level of fluency counts as "speaking" a language? Does it mean being able to hold a conversation, read, or simply understand basic phrases?
* Language definition: What constitutes a language versus a dialect is sometimes subjective.
However, we can say that multilingualism is common:
* Many countries are multilingual: Especially in regions like Africa, Asia, and Europe, it's common for people to speak multiple languages due to historical factors, migration, or proximity to different language groups.
* Globalization: The increased interconnectedness of the world has led more people to learn additional languages for work, travel, or cultural exchange.
While a precise figure is elusive, research suggests that a significant proportion of the world's population is multilingual.