Duolingo, the renowned language learning app, has released its Annual Summary for 2025, a feature that allows students to review detailed insights into their performance throughout the year. The summary provides users with a comprehensive overview of their language learning journey, including peak dedication periods, total study minutes, XP earned, and personal learning styles.
One of the most striking revelations from Duolingo’s summary is the soaring demand for Portuguese courses. Portuguese has taken the top spot as the fastest-growing language in China and India, possibly due to economic factors, as Brazil’s economic and cultural influence continues to expand globally. It ranks second in Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey.
Worldwide, the most popular languages in 2025 are:
- English
- Spanish
- French
- Japanese
- German
- Korean
- Italian
- Chinese
- Portuguese
- Hindi
Duolingo’s report also highlights the impressive performance of Japanese users in 2025, who lead in categories such as “most dedicated students” on the platform. In the ranking of polyglot countries, where individuals study three or more languages simultaneously, the top nations are:
- Japan
- Australia
- Finland
- Germany
- United Kingdom
Chinese emerges as the fastest-growing language in several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Turkey. It is also the second fastest-growing language in the United States.
Korean is the second fastest-growing language in seven countries worldwide: Argentina, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and Poland.
The growing interest in Portuguese and other languages reflects the increasing interconnectedness of global economies and cultures. Duolingo’s Annual Summary not only serves as a personal reflection for users but also sheds light on broader trends in language education. Users can access this feature to celebrate their achievements and plan their next steps in mastering new languages.
Why Portuguese?
Portuguese has become increasingly important in 2025 due to several key factors:
- Economic Growth of Brazil: Brazil, with its vast natural resources and dynamic economy, has become a significant player in the global economy. As a result, businesses and individuals are recognizing the value of Portuguese for trade and economic opportunities.
- Cultural Influence: Brazil’s rich cultural output, including music, film, and literature, has gained international acclaim, driving interest in the Portuguese language among those who wish to engage more deeply with Brazilian culture.
- Tourism: Portugal and Brazil are popular tourist destinations. With the rise in global travel, more people are learning Portuguese to enhance their travel experiences. Brazil also broke tourism records this year.
- Educational Purposes: Some academic programs and research opportunities are increasingly available in Portuguese-speaking countries, encouraging students and academics to learn the language.
- Geopolitical Reasons: Portuguese is the official language of eight countries and is gaining importance in international diplomacy and organizations.
Source: Duolingo
