UN Chinese Language Day commemorates linguistic diversity and cultural richness while promoting the adoption of Chinese worldwide. But how many individuals are learning Chinese as a foreign language?

The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that as of April 2023 over 180 countries and regions offer Chinese language programs, with 82 integrating Chinese into their national education systems. Globally, more than 30 million people are engaged in Chinese language learning.

According to Duolingo, a popular language learning app, 9.2 million users are studying Chinese.

Holon IQ, a Global Education Market Intelligence Platform, estimates the Chinese language learning market to be valued at $7.4 billion, with over 8 million learners driving this growth. Projections suggest this market will reach $13.1 billion by 2027, boasting a robust annual growth rate of 12.1 percent.

The UN Chinese Language Day coincides with Guyu ("Rain of Millet"), a significant date in traditional East Asian calendars, honoring Cangjie, the purported inventor of Chinese characters. Legend holds that upon their creation, celestial beings wept and millet rained from the sky.