🌍 What countries speak French?

France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Canada, Haiti, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, and Vanuatu are among the main French-speaking countries.

✅ How many countries speak French?

French is an official or co-official language in 26 sovereign countries, though French is widely spoken in over 40 countries.

🗣 What are francophone countries?

Francophone countries are countries where French is spoken, used officially, or plays an important role in public life, education, culture, or international relations.

French Speaking Countries: Where French Is Spoken Around the World

French is spoken far beyond France. There are communities of French speakers in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. So, which countries speak French and why?

Key Takeaways

French is spoken across every inhabited continent, not just in France.
Some countries use French as their sole official language, while others recognise it alongside languages such as English, Dutch, German, Arabic, Luxembourgish, Haitian Creole, or local national languages.
Africa is central to the modern French-speaking world, with 65% of French speakers living on the continent in 2026.⁹
French remains important in diplomacy because it is used by major international organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union.⁶
The number of French speakers is expected to continue growing, with projections suggesting there could be 590 million worldwide by 2050.⁹

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List of French-Speaking Countries

The French language may have deep roots in Europe, but many countries around the world speak it beyond its original homeland for obvious colonial reasons.⁵ France enshrines its official status in the law, which makes it the most obvious country where it's the official language.⁴ However, many other countries also use it, and recent changes in Burkina Faso show why official-language status can change over time.¹

Official Language vs Widely Spoken Language

Not every country where French is spoken uses it in the same way. In some countries, French is the sole official language, while in others it shares official status with languages such as English, Dutch, German, Arabic, or local national languages. French is also widely used in some countries where it is not an official language, especially in education, business, media, administration, or diplomacy. This distinction is important when listing French-speaking countries, as "official" and "widely spoken" do not always mean the same thing.

In 2026, there were

396,000,000

French speakers worldwide.⁹

Country or territory	Continent	French status	Other official languages	Useful note
France	Europe	Sole official language	None	The main European reference point for French and the origin of many global French-language institutions.
Monaco	Europe	Sole official language	None	French is the official language of this small principality on the Mediterranean coast.
Benin	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is used in national administration, education, and public life.
Côte d’Ivoire	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is the official language and a major language of education, media, and business.
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Africa	Sole official language	None	One of the most important francophone countries by population.
Gabon	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is widely used in government, schooling, and national media.
Guinea	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is the official language, alongside many national and local languages in daily life.
Republic of the Congo	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is used officially, while Lingala and Kituba are also widely spoken.
Senegal	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is the official language, while Wolof and other national languages are central to everyday communication.
Togo	Africa	Sole official language	None	French is used in government, education, and national institutions.
Belgium	Europe	Co-official language	Dutch, German	French is mainly associated with Wallonia and Brussels.
Switzerland	Europe	Co-official language	German, Italian, Romansh	French is mainly spoken in western Switzerland, including Geneva and Lausanne.
Luxembourg	Europe	Co-official language	Luxembourgish, German	French is especially important in law, administration, and public life.
Canada	Americas	Co-official language	English	French is especially prominent in Québec and New Brunswick.
Haiti	Americas	Co-official language	Haitian Creole	French has official status, while Haitian Creole is the main everyday language for most people.
Burundi	Africa	Co-official language	Kirundi, English	French remains part of public life alongside Kirundi and English.
Cameroon	Africa	Co-official language	English	French and English are both official, though French is more widely used nationally.
Central African Republic	Africa	Co-official language	Sango	French is used officially, while Sango is also central to national communication.
Chad	Africa	Co-official language	Arabic	French and Arabic are both official languages.
Comoros	Africa	Co-official language	Comorian, Arabic	French is one of several official languages in this Indian Ocean island country.
Djibouti	Africa	Co-official language	Arabic	French is used officially alongside Arabic.
Equatorial Guinea	Africa	Co-official language	Spanish, Portuguese	French has official status, though Spanish remains the dominant official language.
Madagascar	Africa	Co-official language	Malagasy	French is used in education, administration, and international communication.
Rwanda	Africa	Co-official language	Kinyarwanda, English, Swahili	French remains official alongside Kinyarwanda, English, and Swahili.
Seychelles	Africa	Co-official language	Seychellois Creole, English	French is one of the country’s three official languages.
Vanuatu	Oceania	Co-official language	Bislama, English	French is official alongside Bislama and English.
French Guiana	Americas	French overseas territory	None	French is the official language because French Guiana is an overseas region of France.
Guadeloupe	Americas	French overseas territory	None	French is official, with Guadeloupean Creole also widely used.
Martinique	Americas	French overseas territory	None	French is official, with Martinican Creole also widely spoken.
Réunion	Africa	French overseas territory	None	French is official on this Indian Ocean island, alongside everyday use of Réunion Creole.
Mayotte	Africa	French overseas territory	None	French is official, while local languages are also used in daily life.
New Caledonia	Oceania	French overseas territory	None	French is official, with Kanak languages also part of local cultural life.
French Polynesia	Oceania	French overseas territory	None	French is official, while Tahitian and other Polynesian languages remain important locally.
Wallis and Futuna	Oceania	French overseas territory	None	French is official, alongside Wallisian and Futunan in local life.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	Americas	French overseas territory	None	French is official in this French collectivity near Canada.
Algeria	Africa	Widely spoken but not official	Arabic, Tamazight	French is not an official language, but it remains widely used in education, business, and media.
Morocco	Africa	Widely spoken but not official	Arabic, Amazigh	French is not official, but it remains important in education, business, tourism, and administration.
Tunisia	Africa	Widely spoken but not official	Arabic	French is not official, but it is widely used in education, business, and media.
Mali	Africa	Working language, not official	National languages	French is no longer an official language, but it can still appear in administration and education.
Burkina Faso	Africa	Working language, not official	National languages	French has been moved from official-language status to working-language status.
Niger	Africa	Working language, not official	Hausa and other national languages	French has been moved from official-language status to working-language status.
Lebanon	Asia	Widely spoken but not official	Arabic	French is not official, but it remains influential in education, culture, and some public life.
Mauritius	Africa	Widely spoken but not official	English	French and Mauritian Creole are widely used, though English is the official language of the legislature.

Countries Where French is the Sole Official Language

France
Around 67 million people speak French in France, representing almost the entire population. French is the sole official language because it is the language of the French Republic and the main language of public life, law, education, and administration.⁴
Monaco
Around 30,000 people speak French in Monaco, representing most of the population. French is the sole official language because Monaco is closely linked to France geographically, historically, and administratively.
Benin
Around 4.5 million people speak French in Benin, representing roughly one-third of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and remains important in government, education, and national institutions.
Côte d'Ivoire
Around 9 million people speak French in Côte d'Ivoire, representing roughly one third of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and is still used in administration, education, business, and media.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Around 50 million people speak French in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, representing around half of the population. French is the official language because of Belgian colonial rule. It now works as a shared language across a country with many national and local languages.
Gabon
Around 1.7 million people speak French in Gabon, representing a large majority of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and remains the main language of administration, education, and national media.
Guinea
Around 4 million people speak French in Guinea, representing roughly one quarter of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and continues to serve as a national administrative and educational language.
Republic of the Congo
Around 3.5 million people speak French in the Republic of the Congo, representing more than half of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and is used nationally alongside widely spoken languages such as Lingala and Kituba.
Senegal
Around 5 million people speak French in Senegal, representing roughly one quarter of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and remains central to government, schooling, higher education, and formal communication.
Togo
Around 3.5 million people speak French in Togo, representing roughly two-fifths of the population. French became the official language through French colonial rule and remains important in education, law, administration, and public life.

Countries Where French is a Co-Official Language

Belgium
Around 9 million people speak French in Belgium, representing about three-quarters of the population. French is co-official because Belgium is a multilingual federal country with Dutch, French, and German as official languages.³
Switzerland
Around 6 million people speak French in Switzerland, representing roughly two-thirds of the population. French is co-official because Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.¹⁰
Luxembourg
Around 600,000 people speak French in Luxembourg, representing most of the population. French is co-official with Luxembourgish and German, and it is especially important in law, administration, and public life.⁸
Canada
Around 11 million people speak French in Canada, representing just under one-third of the population. French is co-official with English because the Canadian constitution recognises both languages at the federal level.⁷
Haiti
Around 4 million people speak French in Haiti, representing roughly one-third of the population. French is co-official with Haitian Creole, although Haitian Creole is the main everyday language for most people.
Cameroon
Around 11 million people speak French in Cameroon, representing about two-fifths of the population. French is co-official with English because the country was shaped by both French and British colonial administration.
Central African Republic
Around 1.5 million people speak French in the Central African Republic, representing roughly one quarter of the population. French is co-official with Sango and is used in government, education, and formal communication.
Chad
Around 2.5 million people speak French in Chad, representing about one-sixth of the population. French is co-official with Arabic because of the country's colonial history and its multilingual national context.
Comoros
Around 250,000 people speak French in Comoros, representing roughly one quarter of the population. French is co-official with Comorian and Arabic, reflecting both colonial history and regional linguistic identity.
Djibouti
Around 500,000 people speak French in Djibouti, representing about half of the population. French is co-official with Arabic because of Djibouti's colonial history and its location between African, Arab, and international spheres.
Equatorial Guinea
Around 400,000 people speak French in Equatorial Guinea, representing about one-quarter of the population. French is co-official with Spanish and Portuguese, partly to strengthen regional links with neighbouring francophone countries.
Madagascar
Around 8 million people speak French in Madagascar, representing roughly one quarter of the population. French is co-official with Malagasy because of French colonial history and its continued role in education, administration, and international communication.
Rwanda
Around 800,000 people speak French in Rwanda, representing a small but important share of the population. French is co-official with Kinyarwanda, English, and Swahili, reflecting Rwanda's education history, regional links, and international orientation.
Seychelles
Around 50,000 people speak French in Seychelles, representing about half of the population. French is co-official with Seychellois Creole and English, reflecting the islands' French and British colonial history.
Vanuatu
Around 100,000 people speak French in Vanuatu, representing roughly one-third of the population. French is co-official with Bislama and English because the islands were formerly administered by both France and Britain.
Burundi
Around 1 million people speak French in Burundi, representing a minority of the population. French is co-official with Kirundi and English, reflecting colonial history and later multilingual education policy.

French-Speaking Regions by Continent

France may be the historic home of the French language, but a fun fact about French is that the French-speaking world isn't actually centred on France. While there are European countries neighbouring France where the language is spoken, Africa is the continent with the most French speakers. It's worthwhile keeping this in mind when thinking about the French-speaking world.

City road with cars, pedestrians, trees, hills, and buildings in the background — Africa is central to the modern French-speaking world, with many major francophone communities across the continent. | Photo by Ariel Nathan ADA MBITA

Africa Is Central to the Francophone World

French is often associated with France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, but the language's centre of gravity is increasingly African. In 2026, 65% of French speakers lived in Africa.⁹ This makes countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Senegal, Benin, Togo, and Gabon central to the francophonie

In 2026,

65%

of French speakers lived in Africa.⁹

Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo: 50 million French speakers. 50% of the population.
Cameroon: 11 million French speakers. 40% of the population.
Côte d’Ivoire: 9 million French speakers. 33% of the population.
Madagascar: 8 million French speakers. 25% of the population.
Senegal: 5 million French speakers. 25% of the population.
Benin: 4.5 million French speakers. 33% of the population.
Guinea: 4 million French speakers. 25% of the population.
Togo: 3.5 million French speakers. 40% of the population.
Republic of the Congo: 3.5 million French speakers. 55% of the population.
Chad: 2.5 million French speakers. 17% of the population.
Gabon: 1.7 million French speakers. 75% of the population.
Central African Republic: 1.5 million French speakers. 25% of the population.
Burundi: 1 million French speakers. 8% of the population.
Rwanda: 800,000 French speakers. 6% of the population.
Seychelles: 50,000 French speakers. 50% of the population.⁹

Europe

France: 67 million French speakers. 99% of the population.
Belgium: 9 million French speakers. 75% of the population.
Switzerland: 6 million French speakers. 67% of the population.
Luxembourg: 600,000 French speakers. 90% of the population.
Monaco: 30,000 French speakers. 80% of the population.

Harbour with yachts, apartment buildings, mountains, and blue sea — Monaco is a small European country where French is the sole official language. | Photo by Victor He

Americas

Canada: 11 million French speakers. 30% of the population.
Haiti: 4 million French speakers. 33% of the population.
French Guiana: 250,000 French speakers. 80% of the population.
Guadeloupe: 300,000 French speakers. 80% of the population.
Martinique: 300,000 French speakers. 80% of the population.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon: 5,000 French speakers. 95% of the population.

Snowy street in Quebec City with Château Frontenac on a hill — Canada is one of the most important French-speaking countries in the Americas, especially because of Québec. | Photo by Timothée Geenens

Asia and Oceania

Vanuatu: 100,000 French speakers. 33% of the population.
New Caledonia: 250,000 French speakers. 90% of the population.
French Polynesia: 250,000 French speakers. 90% of the population.
Wallis and Futuna: 10,000 French speakers. 90% of the population.
Lebanon: 2 million French speakers. 30% of the population.

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The Role of French in International Organisations

The French language also extends beyond its geographical distribution, serving as an important language in other contexts. It's often the language of diplomacy, law, translation, and international cooperation. As one of the official languages of the European Union, it remains important in European institutions.⁶ Outside of Europe, it's an official language of the UN.

United Nations building with rows of flags outside — French remains important in diplomacy and international organisations, including the United Nations. | Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst

French Still Matters in Diplomacy

French remains important in international organisations, diplomacy, law, translation, education, and cultural exchange. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations.¹¹ French is also one of the official languages of the European Union.⁶ This means that learning French can be useful far beyond travel, especially for students interested in international careers.

The Future of the French Language Globally

So what does the future look like for the French language? Firstly, its natural growth will be tied to demographic growth, education, migration, and the changing role of francophone Africa. Even when French coexists with other national languages, it still plays an important role in daily life, as in Luxembourg.⁸ There are even French schools outside of France where classes are in French. However, Mali has shown that French can lose official status even when it remains useful in education, administration, or international communication.² Niger has also moved French away from official-language status under its new charter.¹²

By 2050, there could be

590,000,000

French speakers worldwide.⁹

References

Africanews. “Burkina Abandons French as an Official Language.” Africanews, 13 Aug. 2024, https://www.africanews.com/2023/12/07/burkina-abandons-french-as-an-official-language/. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Africanews. “Mali Drops French as Official Language.” Africanews, 13 Aug. 2024, https://www.africanews.com/2023/07/26/mali-drops-french-as-official-language/. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Belgium.be. “Belgium, a Federal State.” Belgium.be, https://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/government/federale_staat. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Conseil Constitutionnel. “Constitution of 4 October 1958.” Conseil Constitutionnel, https://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/en/constitution-of-4-october-1958. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. “French Language.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 7 May 2026, https://www.britannica.com/topic/French-language. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
European Union. “Languages, Multilingualism, Language Rules.” European Union, https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/languages_en. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Government of Canada. “Section 16 and 16.1: Official Languages of Canada.” Department of Justice Canada, 14 July 2025, https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/check/art16.html. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Government of Luxembourg. “Strategy for the Promotion of the Luxembourgish Language.” Gouvernement.lu, 17 Oct. 2024, https://pcn.gouvernement.lu/en/dossiers.gouvernement2024%2Ben%2Bdossiers%2B2018%2Blangue-luxembourgeoise.html. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. “‘La Langue Française dans le Monde 2026’: Des Données Actualisées sur le Nombre de Locuteurs, d’Apprenants...” OIF, 2026, https://www.francophonie.org/lancement-du-rapport-la-langue-francaise-dans-le-monde-2026-8426. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. “Language.” About Switzerland, 20 June 2024, https://www.aboutswitzerland.eda.admin.ch/en/language. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
United Nations. “Official Languages.” United Nations, https://www.un.org/en/our-work/official-languages. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
WADR. “Niger Drops French as Official Language under New Charter.” WADR, 10 Apr. 2025, https://wadr.org/niger-drops-french-as-official-language-under-new-charter/. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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Joseph P

Joseph is a French and Spanish to English translator, copywriter, and all-round language enthusiast.

What Countries Speak French? A Guide to French-speaking Countries

Key Takeaways

List of French-Speaking Countries

Countries Where French is the Sole Official Language

Countries Where French is a Co-Official Language

French-Speaking Regions by Continent

Africa

Europe

Americas

Asia and Oceania

The Role of French in International Organisations

The Future of the French Language Globally

References

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Frequently asked questions

🌍 What countries speak French?

✅ How many countries speak French?

🗣 What are francophone countries?