The influence of Hindi is not confined to India; it is spoken and understood by over 600 million people globally, making it the third most spoken language in the world. The Indian diaspora has led to the presence of significant Hindi-speaking communities in various countries, providing a sense of belonging and familiarity to Indian expats.
Nepal: Hindi is spoken by about 80,000 people in Nepal, representing around 0.29% of the population. There are far more Hindi-understanding individuals, estimated to be over 8 million. The influence of Hindi is due to cultural parallels and the popularity of Hindi films.
Mauritius: Around 1.3 million people live in Mauritius, with nearly one-third, or about 450,000, speaking Hindi. Hindi is spoken as a mother tongue by 0.8% of the population. While Hindi is influential, Creole and Bhojpuri are also used. Indian indentured laborers arrived in Mauritius in the 19th century, and Hindi films and cultural events continue to be popular. Although French and English are official parliamentary languages, Hindi plays a significant cultural role.
Fiji: In Fiji, with a population of 900,000, roughly 40%, or 380,000 people, speak Hindi. About 40% of the population is of Indian descent. The dialect spoken is Fijian Hindi, common among Hindi-speaking people of Indian origin, which is used in formal settings, schools, religious institutions, and media.
United States: The United States hosts the third-largest Hindi-speaking population outside India. Approximately 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 number is increasing due to the growing Indian presence in technical and business fields.
Hindi in the Caribbean: Suriname has 150,000 Hindi speakers. Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana also have Hindi-speaking communities. Indian culture and festivals are still celebrated in these countries. South Africa has 250,000 Hindi speakers.
Hindi in Europe: The United Kingdom is home to 45,800 Hindi speakers. Approximately 1.53% of the UK population speaks Hindi. Many Indian immigrants reside in the UK, and Hindi is one of the languages spoken by Indian-origin communities. Over 20,000 people in Germany speak Hindi.
Additionally, Hindi-speaking communities are growing rapidly in Singapore, Bangladesh, Canada, and Australia, where Hindi courses are being introduced in educational institutions. The United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and New Zealand also have a considerable number of Hindi speakers and understanders due to Indian expats. Bollywood films’ popularity has significantly contributed to Hindi’s global spread.