How many people speak Tagalog?

It's difficult to give an exact number for the number of Tagalog speakers, as it depends on how you define "speaker." Here's a breakdown:

Philippines:

* Native speakers: Around 28 million people in the Philippines consider Tagalog their native language.

* Second language speakers: Due to Tagalog being the basis for Filipino, the national language of the Philippines, it is estimated that over 90 million Filipinos can speak and understand Tagalog.

Global:

* Worldwide: While Tagalog is primarily spoken in the Philippines, it has a sizable diaspora community, particularly in the United States, Canada, and other countries. Estimating the total number of speakers globally is difficult, but it's likely in the millions.

Important Considerations:

* Filipino: The national language of the Philippines, Filipino, is based on Tagalog but has incorporated elements from other Philippine languages. This makes it hard to separate "Tagalog" speakers from "Filipino" speakers.

* Different dialects: Tagalog itself has regional variations and dialects, making it difficult to establish a uniform definition of fluency.

In conclusion:

While an exact number is difficult to provide, it's safe to say that millions of people around the world speak Tagalog, both as a native language and as a second language.