However, here's what we know:
* The most common estimate is around 570 million native Spanish speakers globally. This figure comes from various sources, including the Instituto Cervantes and Ethnologue.
* Adding in those who speak Spanish as a second language, the total number of Spanish speakers likely surpasses 600 million.
* Spanish is the official language in 20 countries primarily in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
* It's also spoken widely in other regions as a result of immigration and cultural influence.
While the precise number is uncertain, it's clear that Spanish is a major world language with a significant global reach.