French is the official language in 29 countries. As of 2015, 40% of the francophone population (including L2 and partial speakers) is in Europe, 35% in sub-Saharan Africa, 15% in North Africa and the Middle East, 8% in America, and 1% in Asia and Oceania. French is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. 

French is considered to be one of the top three most useful languages for business after English and Mandarin Chinese.