* Number of native speakers: This is the most common criterion used, but it doesn't account for languages spoken as a second language.
* Number of total speakers: This includes native and non-native speakers, providing a broader perspective.
* Geographic distribution: Some languages are spoken in a wider range of countries, making them more influential.
* Political and economic power: Languages spoken by countries with significant political or economic power tend to be more prominent.
* Linguistic influence: Certain languages, like English, have had a significant impact on other languages through colonialism or globalization.
Instead of a definitive top 100 list, I can provide you with the top 10 most spoken languages by native speakers according to the most recent estimates (2023):
1. Mandarin Chinese: 939 million
2. Hindi: 602 million
3. English: 379 million
4. Spanish: 534 million
5. Arabic: 274 million
6. Bengali: 265 million
7. Portuguese: 257 million
8. Russian: 154 million
9. Japanese: 128 million
10. Punjabi: 100 million
Remember that these rankings are based on estimates and can change over time. It's important to consider the context and purpose of the ranking when interpreting this information.
For a more comprehensive list of languages and their rankings, you can refer to resources like:
* Ethnologue: This website provides detailed information on languages spoken around the world, including their number of speakers and distribution.
* Wikipedia: You can find lists of languages by various criteria, such as number of speakers or geographic distribution.
Ultimately, the "top 100" is subjective and depends on the specific criteria used. The information provided above can give you a general idea of the most spoken languages in the world, but it's important to remember that language is a complex and dynamic aspect of human culture.