Which is the most linguistically diverse country in the world?

Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world, with approximately 840 languages used.

Around 40% of the world's languages are at risk of dying out, as some languages become less widespread with each new generation.

Organizations such as the United Nations are takings steps to continue these languages. Thousands of languages are spoken worldwide, but only a fraction are used widely. In fact, the speakers of 23 languages account for more than half of the total global population.

Despite this, there are still pockets around the globe that are rich in linguistic diversity.

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14 Comments

Richard D. Boyle

Makes perfect sense compared to the other options.

Vicki Taylor

Gaelic was dying out in Ireland until, as a nation, they decided to actively preserve it by teaching it in schools.

ToniP

Having worked in PNG with linguists and demographers, I could not forget this.

Jerry Edwards

Vicki Taylor, Same as Welsh in Wales

catmom

Char, I agree, I always wanted learn Italian but when I went to University they only taught Spanish which I couldn't relate to so I just barely passed that course.