Hindi’s influence is no longer confined to India. Globally, over 600 million people speak and comprehend Hindi, ranking it as the third most spoken language in the world, after English and Mandarin. Many countries have sizable Hindi-speaking populations due to the Indian diaspora, offering a sense of belonging and familiarity to Indian expatriates.
Nepal: Around 80,000 individuals in Nepal speak Hindi, representing approximately 0.29% of the population. The number of those who understand Hindi is considerably higher, with an estimated 8 million Nepalese capable of understanding it. This is a result of the cultural similarities between the two nations and the popularity of Hindi films within Nepal.
Mauritius: In Mauritius, a country with a population of about 1.3 million, roughly one-third of the residents, or around 450,000, speak Hindi. About 0.8% of the population speaks Hindi as their native language. Although Hindi is highly influential, Creole and Bhojpuri are also spoken. Indian indentured laborers arrived in Mauritius in the 19th century, and Hindi films and cultural events continue to be popular. Despite French and English being the official parliamentary languages, Hindi’s cultural significance is undeniable.
Fiji: In Fiji, which has a population of 900,000, roughly 40%, or 380,000 individuals, speak Hindi. Approximately 40% of the population is of Indian heritage. Fijian Hindi is used by Hindi-speaking people of Indian descent. This dialect is used in formal settings, schools, religious organizations, and media.
United States: The United States is home to the third-largest Hindi-speaking population outside of India. Nearly 650,000 people speak Hindi, making it the 11th most popular foreign language. The majority of Hindi speakers in the US are immigrants from India. The figures are continually rising due to the growing presence of Indians in the technological and business sectors.
Hindi’s Presence in the Caribbean: Suriname is home to 150,000 Hindi speakers. Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have Hindi-speaking communities. Indian culture and festivals are still observed in these countries. South Africa has 250,000 Hindi speakers.
Hindi in Europe: The United Kingdom has 45,800 Hindi speakers. Records indicate that approximately 1.53% of the UK population speaks Hindi. A significant number of Indian immigrants live in the UK, and Hindi is one of the languages spoken by the Indian-origin communities. In Germany, more than 20,000 people speak Hindi.
Hindi-speaking communities are also rapidly expanding in Singapore, Bangladesh, Canada, and Australia, where Hindi courses are being offered in educational institutions. The United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and New Zealand have many Hindi speakers and understanders due to the presence of Indian expatriates. Bollywood’s popularity has aided in the global expansion of Hindi.