How many people speak Chinese in the world?

It's difficult to give an exact number for how many people speak Chinese in the world, but estimates vary significantly depending on how "Chinese" is defined.

Here are some key points to consider:

* Chinese is a complex language family: It includes Mandarin, Cantonese, Wu, Min, Hakka, and many others. Each dialect is distinct, and some are considered mutually unintelligible.

* "Speaker" is a broad term: Does it mean native speaker, fluent speaker, or someone who simply understands some basics?

* Data collection is challenging: Many remote or rural areas with significant Chinese-speaking populations lack reliable data.

Estimates:

* Around 1.3 billion people speak Mandarin as their native language, making it the most spoken language in the world.

* Estimates for all Chinese languages range from 1.2 to 1.5 billion speakers depending on how "Chinese" is defined.

Remember: These are rough estimates, and the actual number is likely somewhere within this range.