Here's a more detailed breakdown:
India:
* Tamil Nadu: The state of Tamil Nadu is named after the language and is where the majority of Tamil speakers reside.
* Puducherry: This union territory, located on the coast of Tamil Nadu, also has a significant Tamil-speaking population.
* Kerala: Tamil is spoken by a sizeable minority in the southern parts of Kerala.
* Andhra Pradesh: There are Tamil-speaking communities in the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh, bordering Tamil Nadu.
Sri Lanka:
* Northern and Eastern Provinces: Tamil is one of the official languages of Sri Lanka and is widely spoken in the north and east of the island.
* Other areas: There are also Tamil-speaking communities in other parts of Sri Lanka, particularly in urban areas.
Other countries:
* Malaysia: There is a significant Tamil-speaking diaspora in Malaysia, primarily from the Sri Lankan Tamil community.
* Singapore: Tamil is one of the official languages of Singapore and is spoken by a sizable community.
* Other countries: Tamil is spoken by smaller communities in countries such as Mauritius, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
It's important to note that the exact number of Tamil speakers worldwide is difficult to estimate accurately, as language use can vary depending on factors such as age, education, and location.