2024 Global Scripture Access

Links:

• Large infographic (Printable A4, Printable US Letter)
• Small infographic
• Q&A: 2024 Global Scripture Access
• Read more about this year's changes: Bible Translation Milestone: Under a 1,000 Languages Left to Start and Nigeria’s Rapid Rise
• Listen to a podcast interview with ProgressBible staff: Bible Translation: Behind the Statistics

Total languages in the world: 7,396

Number of known users: 7.45 billion*

*The global population is estimated to be 8.12 billion. However, language user statistics tend to lag behind actual population statistics due to challenges in gathering and updating information. According to the most recently available information in SIL’s Ethnologue, 7.45 billion people use the world’s 7,396 known languages. For statistical agreement, percentages used here are based on the Ethnologue population number. Thus, global population percentages are given as 'up to…' rather than an exact number.

Languages and people with Scripture 

Scripture access status

**In most cases, the people use another language which already has at least some Scripture. Sometimes, their first language is disappearing from use altogether. The reality is often more complex.

Bible translation in progress

Bible translation is currently happening in 3,526 languages in 173 countries. Those languages and people numbers are embedded in the categories “At least some Scripture” and “Initial work in progress”. This current work impacts 1.26 billion people, or about 16.9 percent of all language users. This number does not include people who already have a full Bible but are updating their existing translations.

Need Bible translation to start

Wycliffe Global Alliance involvement snapshot, 2024

• Alliance organisations are working in at least 3,146 languages.
• Alliance organisations are involved in work in at least 146 countries.

Wycliffe Global Alliance historical snapshot

• Over their histories, Alliance organisations have worked with at least 1,895 language communities in which there is now a New Testament or Bible.***
• Over their histories, Alliance organisations have been involved in translating Scripture portions in an additional 871 languages.

***This includes assisting in initial translation and training, providing consultant help and funding, and participating in Scripture engagement activities and translation revisions.

Statistics are rarely as simple as the numbers imply 

Even though we strive to provide an accurate snapshot, Scripture access statistics are complex. For example, determining translation need is not as simple as determining which languages do or do not have Scripture. Most of the languages with “some Scripture” need more, and even full Bibles often undergo revisions. Also, comparisons with previous annual statistics are challenging and sometimes not useful, as data definitions and collection methods improve.

A better way of measuring Bible translation progress

Statistics provide one lens through which to measure progress in worldwide Bible translation. The real stories are found in changed lives and communities as people encounter God through his Word, and as the worldwide church moves toward greater unity in Christ.

Alliance organisations continue to explore other important indicators of progress such as:

• How are language communities experiencing life-changing impact from Scripture?
• Are churches increasingly taking leadership in the work of Bible translation?
• Are churches, communities, and organisations partnering more effectively to carry out the work of translation together?

To read more, see: A missiology of progress: Assessing advancement in the Bible translation movement by Dr. Kirk Franklin.

Wycliffe Global Alliance presentations of global Scripture access statistics are compiled annually from data provided through ProgressBible by Alliance organisations, SIL International, United Bible Societies and many other partners. Data is current as of 1 September 2024, and is based on the most recently available information about first language users in SIL’s Ethnologue.

Further stories about people and projects are available at wycliffe.net and from your nearest Alliance organisation.

2023 Global Scripture Access