* No Official Census: There isn't a formal, nationwide census that specifically asks about Cantonese fluency.
* Varying Definitions: "Cantonese" can refer to different things:
* Native speakers: Those who learned Cantonese as their first language.
* Fluent speakers: Those who can speak Cantonese well, even if it's not their native language.
* Understanding: People who can understand Cantonese but may not speak it fluently.
* Regional Variations: Cantonese is the dominant language in Guangdong province and Hong Kong, but it's also spoken in other regions to varying degrees.
Estimates:
* Rough Estimates: Some sources suggest that around 5% to 10% of the Chinese population speak Cantonese as their native language.
* Hong Kong: In Hong Kong, Cantonese is the primary language spoken by the vast majority of the population.
Important Considerations:
* Mandarin Dominance: Mandarin is the official language of China and is widely spoken across the country, making it the most prevalent dialect.
* Cantonese Influence: Despite Mandarin's dominance, Cantonese has a significant cultural influence in China and abroad.
Conclusion:
While it's difficult to pin down an exact percentage, Cantonese is an important and influential language spoken by a substantial portion of the Chinese population.