Why Learn French?

  • 220 million French speakers worldwide
    There are an estimated 220 million French speakers worldwide.
  • French is the 9th most widely spoken language on the planet
    French is the 9th most widely spoken language on the planet and the only one, together with English, to be spoken on all five continents.
  • 60% of French speakers are under 30 years old
    In most of the IOF member countries, 60% of the population is under 30 years old.
  • French is the 3rd most widely used language on the Web
    French is the 3rd most widely used language on the Web with 5% of Internet pages, after English (45%) and German (7%) and ahead of Spanish (4.5%).
  • 900,000 French teachers worldwide
    There are an estimated 900,000 French teachers worldwide.
  • 96.2 million French-speakers in Africa
    Africa is the continent with the largest number of French speakers, with 96.2 million French speakers in the IOF member countries.
  • March 20, 1970 : the birth of an intergovernmental organisation of French-speaking nations
    March 20, 1970 saw the birth an intergovernmental organisation of French-speaking nations, with the creation in Niamey (Niger), of the Agency of Cultural and Technical Cooperation. This organisation adopted a new Charter of Francophony in 2005 and was renamed the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) as it is still known today.
  • The IOF : 75 States and governments
    The IOF has 75 States and governments (including 19 observers) across the five continents. 
    • 56 Member States and Governments : Albania, Principality of Andorra, Armenia, Kingdom of Belgium, French Community of Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canada-New-Brunswick, Canada-Quebec, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Moldova, Monaco, Niger, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Säo Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam. 
    • 19 Observers : Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Mozambique, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates.
  • IOF’s community : 890 million people
    In 2008, the IOF’s 75 States and governments represented a total of 890 million people, or 13% of the world’s population.
  • The IOF : over one-third of the UNO’s member states
    The International Organisation of La Francophonie’s 75 member states and governments represent over one-third of the United Nation’s member states.
  • The French-speaking zone accounts for 19% of world trade in goods
    With 18.9% of world exports and 19% of world imports, French-speaking countries account for 19% of world trade in goods.
  • French is an official language in 32 member states
    French is either the official language, or one of the official languages in 32 of the IOF’s member states, governments or observers
  • French is the 2nd most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union
    French is the second most widely spoken mother tongue (16%) after German (23%) and ahead of English (15.9%) in the European Union.
  • French is the 2nd most widely spoken foreign language in the European Union
    French is the 2nd most widely spoken foreign language (19%) after English (41%) and ahead of German (10%) and Spanish (7%) in the European Union.
  • TV5 is broadcast in 202 countries
    TV5MONDE, the multilateral French language television channel, has the 3rd largest international television network and is broadcast in 202 countries.
  • 215 million homes : TV5’s audience
    TV5MONDE broadcasts French productions 24 hours a day to an audience estimated at over 215 million homes.
  • IOF has partnerships with 31 international and regional organisations
    The IOF has signed cooperation agreements with 31 international and regional organisations including the UNO, the European Union and the African Union.
  • All IOF’s members signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child
    All of the IOF’s members signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • 77 French-speaking parliaments or interparliamentary organisations
    The Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie comprises 77 parliaments or interparliamentary organisations.
  • 779 French-speaking establishments for further education and research
    The Academic Agency of La Francophonie federates 779 establishments for further education and research in 94 countries.
  • The International Association of Francophone Mayors represents cities in 48 countries.
    The International Association of Francophone Mayors comprises cities and city associations from 48 countries.

All of the above information was taken from the International Organization of La Francophonie's website.