Spanish surpasses 640 million potential users and gains ground in China

The 2026 report by the Instituto Cervantes highlights the growing global presence of the Spanish language, with over 640 million potential users. The report, presented in Beijing, notes a 12.6% increase in Spanish enrollments in China from 2023 to 2025. It emphasizes the need for professionals who combine Spanish with business and technical knowledge, reflecting changes in university education. The report also addresses the challenges posed by artificial intelligence to language diversity and the dominance of English in scientific research. The Spanish language ranks third in native speakers worldwide, with significant growth in various regions, including Africa.