How many people speak french in the world?

It's difficult to give an exact number of French speakers worldwide, as there are different ways to define "French speaker."

However, here's a breakdown based on different classifications:

Native speakers:

* 300 million: This is a common figure cited for native speakers of French. It includes people in France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and many African countries.

L2 speakers (second language):

* 150-200 million: Many people learn French as a second language, particularly in former French colonies.

Total:

* 450-500 million: This range considers both native and L2 speakers.

Important notes:

* These are estimates, and the actual number can fluctuate.

* Some sources distinguish between "French as a first language" and "French as a mother tongue."

* Language use is also influenced by factors like fluency level and context.

Overall, French is a major world language with a significant global presence.