where do they speak arabic

They speak Arabic mainly in the Middle East and North Africa, plus some nearby countries where it is official or widely used in communities.

Main Arabic‑speaking countries

Arabic is an official national language in 22 countries across two main regions. These are often called “Arab countries” because they are also members (or de facto members) of the Arab League.

• In the Middle East: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

• In North and East Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros, Chad.

Places where Arabic is also used

Arabic is also spoken by communities beyond those 22 states, even if it is not the sole main official language.

• Significant communities exist in countries like Turkey, Iran, and parts of Central Asia because of historical and religious ties.

• There are also large Arabic‑speaking diasporas in Europe, North America, and Latin America, where Arabic is used at home and in community life.