India:
* Around 46 million people speak Gujarati as their native language in India. This makes it the 2nd most spoken language in the country after Hindi.
* Gujarati is also spoken by a significant number of people in other states of India, particularly in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Globally:
* Estimates suggest that there are approximately 55 million Gujarati speakers worldwide. This includes speakers in India and the global Gujarati diaspora, primarily in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and East Africa.
Factors influencing the number:
* Language acquisition: While the number of native Gujarati speakers may be relatively stable, the number of people who can speak and understand Gujarati could be higher due to factors like bilingualism and language learning.
* Migration and diaspora: The Gujarati diaspora has a significant presence in various countries, contributing to the global spread of the language.
* Language policies: Government policies and the promotion of Gujarati in education can also impact the number of speakers.
Therefore, while precise figures are hard to come by, it's safe to say that tens of millions of people around the world speak Gujarati.