How Many People Currently Speak Sanskrit in the World

The influence of Sanskrit extends far beyond its native India, with many people in Southeast and East Asia including Japan and Tamil Nadu using Sanskrit words in their daily lives. Due to the cultural influence of India, Sanskrit has permeated into European languages as well, though in varying degrees of integration.

The Current Number of Sanskrit Speakers

According to the 2011 census data, only 24,821 people registered Sanskrit as their mother tongue, in comparison to 14,135 in 2001. This small number represents just 0.00198 percent of India's total population of 1.21 billion.

Modern Usage and Revival

Despite its minimal usage as a native language, Sanskrit continues to be spoken in certain contexts and communities. In Mattur, a village in Karnataka, all residents use Sanskrit in everyday life, reflecting a vibrant community that preserves this ancient language.

Vedic scholars, linguists, and Sanskrit pandits often use Sanskrit in their daily interactions as well. Courses such as Vadhathu Samskritham continue to be offered, catering to those interested in learning the language.

Other Locations with Sanskrit Speakers

In addition to Mattur, there are at least three more villages in India where Sanskrit is spoken: Jhiri in Madhya Pradesh and a village in West Bengal, though its name is unknown. Despite centuries of suppression under Moghul and British rule, Sanskrit is being revived through initiatives by organizations such as the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and Sanskrita Bharati.

The process of revival has been facilitated by the ease of learning Sanskrit, particularly for those who already know any Indian language. Thousands of people now take advantage of these opportunities to learn and preserve the language.

While tens of thousands of people in India speak Sanskrit, their fluency varies widely. Due to its lack of usage in everyday life, many speakers cannot hold normal conversations in Sanskrit. There are no slang phrases, idioms, sentence fillers, or profanity in Sanskrit, which makes it less conversational compared to modern languages.

However, Sanskrit retains official status in Uttarakhand, a province in northern India with a high concentration of Brahmin communities and strong Hindu cultural practices. Even in Uttarakhand, with its 12 million population, and 80% of which identify as Hindu, less than 2,000 people are considered fluent Sanskrit speakers.

Despite these challenges, the revival and preservation of Sanskrit remain a significant cultural and linguistic endeavor. With support from both grassroots and government initiatives, Sanskrit continues to hold a special place in India’s cultural heritage.