List of countries by English-speaking population
Updated: Wikipedia source
The following is a list of English-speaking populations by country, including information on both native speakers and second-language speakers.
Tables
· List
United States
United States
Country
United States
Eligible population
312,142,415
Total English speakers
299,270,000
Total %
95 %
As first language
244,079,241
L1 %
78 %
As an additional language
55,191,937
L2 or L3 %
17 %
Notes / Sources
Figures are from the 2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates by the U . Census Bureau for persons age 5 and older. Total English speakers are those who either spoke English at home (i . as first language) or reported speaking another language at home but could speak English "very well" or "well" (i . as an additional language).
India
India
Country
India
Eligible population
1,400,000,000
Total English speakers
265,000,000
Total %
19%
As first language
259,678
L1 %
0 %
Notes / Sources
2021 estimate. 2011 figure for first language.
Nigeria
Nigeria
Country
Nigeria
Eligible population
206,200,000
Total English speakers
125,039,688
Total %
60 %
As first language
20,000,000
L1 %
9 %
As an additional language
103,198,040
L2 or L3 %
50 %
Notes / Sources
English is the most widespread language in the country due to the many different languages spoken, with 60 million speakers. This includes speakers of an English creole, accounting for 51% to 57% of the total population. It is estimated that 10% of Nigerians speak English as a first language.
Pakistan
Pakistan
Country
Pakistan
Eligible population
220,892,331
Total English speakers
108,044,691
Total %
48 %
As first language
8,642
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
108,036,049
L2 or L3 %
48 %
Notes / Sources
English is one of the official languages under the constitution and is commonly used in education and administration. According to statistics from various sources, the English-speaking population ranges from 88 million to 108 million, accounting for 49% to 58% of the total population.
Indonesia
Indonesia
Country
Indonesia
Eligible population
279,118,866
Total English speakers
85,968,611
Total %
30 %
As first language
837,356
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
85,131,255
L2 or L3 %
30 %
Notes / Sources
Indonesians learn English as a major foreign language.
Philippines
Philippines
Country
Philippines
Eligible population
110,000,000
Total English speakers
70,117,935
Total %
63 %
As first language
36,935
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
70,081,000
L2 or L3 %
63 %
Notes / Sources
Over 60 million people aged 5 years or more can speak English. "Six out of 10 people aged 5 and over can speak English (63 %)."
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Country
United Kingdom
Eligible population
64,835,742
Total English speakers
63,718,834
Total %
98 %
As first language
59,323,568
L1 %
91 %
As an additional language
4,395,266
L2 or L3 %
6 %
Notes / Sources
Data is from the 2021 census. Additional English speaker figures are for usual residents aged 3 years and over with a main language other than English who can speak English "very well" or "well" (or, in the case of Scotland, those who have reported speaking ability in English).
Germany
Germany
Country
Germany
Eligible population
82,347,000
Total English speakers
45,900,000
Total %
55 %
As first language
774,000
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
45,100,000
L2 or L3 %
54 %
Notes / Sources
Native speakers: Mikrozensus 2021, Statistisches Bundesamt.
Non-native speakers: Eurobarometer report 2012. Does not include foreign military personnel based in Germany.
Kenya
Kenya
Country
Kenya
Eligible population
52,533,109
Total English speakers
41,332,711
Total %
78 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
7,900,000
L2 or L3 %
15 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109.
France
France
Country
France
Eligible population
67,500,000
Total English speakers
38,643,750
Total %
57 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
38,643,750
L2 or L3 %
57 %
Notes / Sources
In Paris, 60 % of the population has "reasonable competency", while 57 % of the entire country has "reasonable competency".
Egypt
Egypt
Country
Egypt
Eligible population
110,990,000
Total English speakers
38,846,500
Total %
35 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
–
L2 or L3 %
–
Notes / Sources
Speakers to at least an intermediate level, Euromonitor International Report 2012
Japan
Japan
Country
Japan
Eligible population
126,146,099
Total English speakers
35,320,907
Total %
28 %
As first language
?
L1 %
?
As an additional language
?
L2 or L3 %
?
South Africa
South Africa
Country
South Africa
Eligible population
65,000,000
Total English speakers
31,000,000
Total %
50 %
As first language
5,228,301
L1 %
8 %
As an additional language
25,771,699
L2 or L3 %
38 %
Notes / Sources
Native speakers from 2022 Census.
Non-native speakers: Crystal (2003), p. 109.
Canada
Canada
Country
Canada
Eligible population
37,138,500
Total English speakers
30,480,750
Total %
82 %
As first language
20,193,335
L1 %
54 %
As an additional language
10,287,415
L2 or L3 %
27 %
Notes / Sources
The 2016 count reported that 23,757,525 people were able to conduct a conversation in English only, while 6,216,065 were able to converse in both English and French. The census also asked for the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the individual: 52% or 19,460,850 reported English as their only mother tongue, 165,32
Australia
Australia
Country
Australia
Eligible population
25,422,788
Total English speakers
23,161,344
Total %
91 %
As first language
18,303,662
L1 %
72 %
As an additional language
4,857,672
L2 or L3 %
19 %
Notes / Sources
The 2021 census data is subject to multiple interpretations. The data noted that 18,303,662 persons out of 23,401,892 total only spoke English, and a further 4,857,672 spoke English either "Very Well" or "Well". A further 872,213 persons were listed as speaking English "Not Well" or "Not At All". However, 1,389,243 persons provided incomplete infor
Uganda
Uganda
Country
Uganda
Eligible population
44,270,000
Total English speakers
19,800,000
Total %
44 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
19,800,000
L2 or L3 %
44 %
Notes / Sources
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2016)
Poland
Poland
Country
Poland
Eligible population
38,036,118
Total English speakers
19,000,000
Total %
49 %
As first language
737,276
L1 %
1 %
As an additional language
18,000,000
L2 or L3 %
47 %
Notes / Sources
AutoLingual (blog). Number of first language speakers comes from Statistics Poland. However, of the 737,276 people who spoke English "at home", 714,002 also spoke another language "at home", including 707,487 people who also spoke Polish "at home".
Ghana
Ghana
Country
Ghana
Eligible population
26,210,872
Total English speakers
17,610,870
Total %
67 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
17,610,870
L2 or L3 %
67 %
Notes / Sources
2021 Ghanaian Census, on population aged 6 or above who were "literate" in English.
Thailand
Thailand
Country
Thailand
Eligible population
63,038,247
Total English speakers
17,121,187
Total %
27 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
17,121,187
L2 or L3 %
27 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109.
Ukraine
Ukraine
Country
Ukraine
Eligible population
33,365,000
Total English speakers
17,016,000
Total %
51 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
17,016,000
L2 or L3 %
51 %
Notes / Sources
Sociological study by KIIS
Mexico
Mexico
Country
Mexico
Eligible population
120,664,000
Total English speakers
15,686,262
Total %
13 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
15,686,262
L2 or L3 %
13 %
Notes / Sources
Consulta Mitofsky-Tracking Poll Roy Campos: Las Lenguas Extranjeras en México, January 2013; and II Conteo de Población y Vivienda, Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI)
Malaysia
Malaysia
Country
Malaysia
Eligible population
27,170,000
Total English speakers
15,580,000
Total %
57 %
As first language
380,000
L1 %
1 %
As an additional language
15,200,000
L2 or L3 %
55 %
Notes / Sources
EF English Proficiency Index
Netherlands
Netherlands
Country
Netherlands
Eligible population
16,770,000
Total English speakers
15,250,000
Total %
90 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
15,250,000
L2 or L3 %
90 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2016
Turkey
Turkey
Country
Turkey
Eligible population
80,200,256
Total English speakers
12,000,000
Total %
14 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
12,000,000
L2 or L3 %
14 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2006
Brazil
Brazil
Country
Brazil
Eligible population
216,000,000
Total English speakers
12,000,000
Total %
5 %
As first language
292,000
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
10,250,000
L2 or L3 %
4 %
Notes / Sources
British council (2012) and EF. About 5% of Brazilians have a proficient grasp of English as a second or foreign additional language and an additional 6% have a very rudimentary knowledge.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Country
Zimbabwe
Eligible population
14,439,000
Total English speakers
11,850,710
Total %
82 %
As first language
505,365
L1 %
3 %
As an additional language
11,530,710
L2 or L3 %
79 %
Iraq
Iraq
Country
Iraq
Eligible population
31,700,000
Total English speakers
11,095,000
Total %
35 %
As first language
95,000
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
11,000,000
L2 or L3 %
34 %
Notes / Sources
Euromonitor International report (2011)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Country
Bangladesh
Eligible population
165,158,616
Total English speakers
10,784,488
Total %
6 %
As first language
709,873
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
10,074,615
L2 or L3 %
6 %
Notes / Sources
Population data are from 2022 Bangladeshi census, and second language data come from the subsequent survey
Spain
Spain
Country
Spain
Eligible population
47,190,000
Total English speakers
10,400,000
Total %
22 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
10,400,000
L2 or L3 %
22 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012
South Sudan
South Sudan
Country
South Sudan
Eligible population
10,913,164
Total English speakers
10,258,374
Total %
94 %
As first language
818,487
L1 %
7 %
As an additional language
9,439,887
L2 or L3 %
86 %
Notes / Sources
Countries That Speak English and the World Bank
China
China
Country
China
Eligible population
1,432,035,200
Total English speakers
10,000,000
Total %
0 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
10,000,000
L2 or L3 %
<0 %
Notes / Sources
Figures are for English users in mainland China only (i . excluding Hong Kong where English is an official language and Macau). The often-cited figure of 300 million is for "learners".
Sweden
Sweden
Country
Sweden
Eligible population
10,377,771
Total English speakers
9,236,000
Total %
89 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
9,236,000
L2 or L3 %
89 %
Notes / Sources
Statistics Sweden, 2021
Italy
Italy
Country
Italy
Eligible population
59,619,290
Total English speakers
8,121,000
Total %
13 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
8,121,000
L2 or L3 %
13 %
Notes / Sources
Languageknowledge
Tanzania
Tanzania
Country
Tanzania
Eligible population
35,341,131
Total English speakers
7,660,000
Total %
21 %
As first language
240,000
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
7,420,000
L2 or L3 %
21 %
Notes / Sources
2022 Population and Housing Census on literacy rate amongst people aged 15 or above. Figure for native speakers referred to those who were "literate in English only" while number for non-native speakers referred to those who were literate in "both Kiswahili and English".
Cameroon
Cameroon
Country
Cameroon
Eligible population
19,740,000
Total English speakers
7,500,000
Total %
37 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
7,500,000
L2 or L3 %
37 %
Notes / Sources
Euromonitor International Report (2009)
Morocco
Morocco
Country
Morocco
Eligible population
37,340,000
Total English speakers
6,883,220
Total %
18 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
6,883,220
L2 or L3 %
18 %
Belgium
Belgium
Country
Belgium
Eligible population
10,584,534
Total English speakers
6,250,000
Total %
59 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
6,250,000
L2 or L3 %
59 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2006 The Belgian population is divided in two distinct linguistic regions: The Belgian Dutch-speaking Flanders, and the Belgian French-speaking Wallonia (the region of Brussels also has a majority of native French speakers). Like in the Netherlands, a high percentage of Flemish people speak English fluently, and in Wallonia, a
Israel
Israel
Country
Israel
Eligible population
9,601,000
Total English speakers
3,100,000
Total %
31 %
As first language
100,000
L1 %
1 %
As an additional language
3,200,000
L2 or L3 %
33%
Notes / Sources
Data collected in Israel between 2018 and 2020 by the National Center for Exams and Evaluation showed that only 33% of Israeli students are able to hold a basic conversation in English; such data only refers to academic students who had declared to have studied English, which indicates that English knowledge among the general population is at a mu
Austria
Austria
Country
Austria
Eligible population
8,415,000
Total English speakers
6,150,000
Total %
73 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
6,150,000
L2 or L3 %
73 %
Romania
Romania
Country
Romania
Eligible population
19,043,767
Total English speakers
5,900,000
Total %
30 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
5,900,000
L2 or L3 %
30 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012
Greece
Greece
Country
Greece
Eligible population
10,787,690
Total English speakers
5,500,000
Total %
50 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
5,500,000
L2 or L3 %
50 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012
Czechia
Czechia
Country
Czechia
Eligible population
10,562,214
Total English speakers
5,350,000
Total %
50 %
As first language
16,481
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
5,350,000
L2 or L3 %
50 %
Russia
Russia
Country
Russia
Eligible population
135,125,671
Total English speakers
5,066,515
Total %
3 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
5,066,515
L2 or L3 %
3 %
Notes / Sources
Russian population Census, 2021, total count excluded 12,056,452 people who did not specify a language.
Ireland
Ireland
Country
Ireland
Eligible population
5,084,879
Total English speakers
4,958,527
Total %
97 %
As first language
4,333,372
L1 %
85 %
As an additional language
625,155
L2 or L3 %
12 %
Notes / Sources
Central Statistics Office 2022 Census Figures for native speakers are people whose spoke English or Irish at home (which likely included the approximately 70,000 people who spoke Irish daily outside education system), and additional speakers are people who spoke other languages and declared that they spoke English "very well" or "well".
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Country
Sierra Leone
Eligible population
5,866,000
Total English speakers
4,900,000
Total %
83 %
As first language
500,000
L1 %
8 %
As an additional language
4,400,000
L2 or L3 %
75 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109. This includes speakers of an English creole.
New Zealand
New Zealand
Country
New Zealand
Eligible population
4,889,202
Total English speakers
4,750,056
Total %
97 %
As first language
3,692,670
L1 %
75 %
As an additional language
1,057,386
L2 or L3 %
21 %
Notes / Sources
There were 4,993,923 responses to 2023 Census: Language spoken. 4,750,056 gave English as a response . Another 104,721 reported no language (e . too young). Hence it is most meaningful to express the English-speaking per cent without including the figures for these 104,721. This gives 97 % English-speaking (3,673,679 divided by 3,755,565), 2 % n
Denmark
Denmark
Country
Denmark
Eligible population
5,543,000
Total English speakers
4,770,000
Total %
86 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
4,770,000
L2 or L3 %
86 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012
Norway
Norway
Country
Norway
Eligible population
5,136,700
Total English speakers
4,500,000
Total %
87 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
4,500,000
L2 or L3 %
87 %
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Country
Papua New Guinea
Eligible population
6,331,000
Total English speakers
4,459,191
Total %
70 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
4,459,191
L2 or L3 %
70 %
Notes / Sources
2011 Census. This statistic is people who are literate in Standard English, not including Tok Pisin.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Country
Hong Kong
Eligible population
7,179,127
Total English speakers
4,217,535
Total %
58 %
As first language
330,782
L1 %
4 %
As an additional language
3,886,753
L2 or L3 %
54 %
Notes / Sources
According to 2021 population census, Hong Kong has approximately 4 million speakers, of whom 330,782 regard English as their "usual" language.
Madagascar
Madagascar
Country
Madagascar
Eligible population
23,042,300
Total English speakers
4,147,614
Total %
18 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
4,147,614
L2 or L3 %
18 %
Notes / Sources
The main languages are French and Malagasy.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Country
Sri Lanka
Eligible population
21,803,000
Total English speakers
3,994,174
Total %
18 %
As first language
10,000
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
3,994,174
L2 or L3 %
18 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109; Department of Census and Statistics, 2012. 23 % of the population aged over 10 could speak English.
Finland
Finland
Country
Finland
Eligible population
5,563,970
Total English speakers
3,900,000
Total %
70 %
As first language
29,448
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
3,870,000
L2 or L3 %
69 %
Notes / Sources
Native speakers: Statistics Finland; Total speakers: Eurobarometer report 2022
Cambodia
Cambodia
Country
Cambodia
Eligible population
15,766,292
Total English speakers
3,500,000
Total %
22 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
3,500,000
L2 or L3 %
22 %
Notes / Sources
Quote of a Ministry of Education spokesman
Switzerland
Switzerland
Country
Switzerland
Eligible population
8,482,268
Total English speakers
3,279,538
Total %
38 %
As first language
492,343
L1 %
5 %
As an additional language
2,787,195
L2 or L3 %
32 %
Notes / Sources
Figure for speakers of English as "main language", according to Federal Statistical Office 2020. Source for number of total English speakers is an FSO survey in 2019 on "the main languages in regular use", which reported that 48 % of permanent residents aged 15 or above (7,187,688 as of 2020) regularly used English; as a result, total speakers and
Liberia
Liberia
Country
Liberia
Eligible population
3,750,000
Total English speakers
3,100,000
Total %
82 %
As first language
600,000
L1 %
16 %
As an additional language
2,500,000
L2 or L3 %
66 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109. This includes speakers of an English creole.
Jordan
Jordan
Country
Jordan
Eligible population
6,598,000
Total English speakers
2,969,370
Total %
45 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,969,370
L2 or L3 %
45 %
Notes / Sources
Euromonitor International report (2011)
Portugal
Portugal
Country
Portugal
Eligible population
10,623,000
Total English speakers
2,900,000
Total %
27 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,900,000
L2 or L3 %
27 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012
Argentina
Argentina
Country
Argentina
Eligible population
42,192,500
Total English speakers
2,752,681
Total %
6 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,752,681
L2 or L3 %
6 %
Notes / Sources
Percentage of people who state they have a high level of English. Another 19 % and 16 % of people said they had an intermediate and low level, respectively, of English.
Singapore
Singapore
Country
Singapore
Eligible population
3,596,284
Total English speakers
2,668,719
Total %
74 %
As first language
1,735,242
L1 %
48 %
As an additional language
933,477
L2 or L3 %
25 %
Notes / Sources
Figures indicate Singaporean residents (citizen and permanent resident population); data for population who spoke English as an additional language came from summing number of people whose second most spoken language at home was English.
Jamaica
Jamaica
Country
Jamaica
Eligible population
2,714,000
Total English speakers
2,650,000
Total %
97 %
As first language
45,900
L1 %
1 %
As an additional language
2,604,100
L2 or L3 %
95 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109. This includes speakers of an English creole.
Algeria
Algeria
Country
Algeria
Eligible population
35,954,000
Total English speakers
2,516,780
Total %
7 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,516,780
L2 or L3 %
7 %
Peru
Peru
Country
Peru
Eligible population
31,151,643
Total English speakers
2,492,131
Total %
8 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,492,131
L2 or L3 %
8 %
Notes / Sources
GfK survey in 2015
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Country
Afghanistan
Eligible population
41,130,000
Total English speakers
2,467,800
Total %
6 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,467,800
L2 or L3 %
6 %
Notes / Sources
During the two decades since the U . military intervened in Afghanistan, English as a foreign language was learned by 6% of Afghans. (see Languages of Afghanistan)
Hungary
Hungary
Country
Hungary
Eligible population
9,603,634
Total English speakers
2,428,295
Total %
25 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,428,295
L2 or L3 %
25 %
Notes / Sources
2022 Census
Myanmar
Myanmar
Country
Myanmar
Eligible population
53,900,000
Total English speakers
2,400,000
Total %
4 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,400,000
L2 or L3 %
4 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109.
Yemen
Yemen
Country
Yemen
Eligible population
24,800,000
Total English speakers
2,232,000
Total %
9 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
2,232,000
L2 or L3 %
9 %
Notes / Sources
Euromonitor International report 2011
Colombia
Colombia
Country
Colombia
Eligible population
47,661,368
Total English speakers
2,012,950
Total %
4 %
As first language
75,600
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
1,937,350
L2 or L3 %
4 %
Notes / Sources
Total was estimated by multiplying projected population for 2014 (DANE) by percentage of Colombian population who speak English, 4 %, then 63,600 was added to that figure which is the total of American and British residents. Figures for native speakers are as follows: 60,000 U . citizens who reside in Colombia. 12,000 are Colombian Raizal from S
Zambia
Zambia
Country
Zambia
Eligible population
11,922,000
Total English speakers
1,910,000
Total %
16 %
As first language
110,000
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
1,800,000
L2 or L3 %
15 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Country
Bulgaria
Eligible population
7,640,238
Total English speakers
1,902,605
Total %
24 %
As first language
2,605
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
1,900,000
L2 or L3 %
24 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012 and 2011 Census
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Country
Kazakhstan
Eligible population
12,156,705
Total English speakers
1,874,583
Total %
15 %
As first language
602
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
1,873,981
L2 or L3 %
15 %
Notes / Sources
Number of those who understand spoken English, from these 1 million: 311,435 (2 %/16 %) can only read, 931,444 (7 %/49 %) can read and write in English. The number of native speakers is the sum of Americans and Englishmen "by nationality". (Census 2009)
Rwanda
Rwanda
Country
Rwanda
Eligible population
8,289,582
Total English speakers
1,760,444
Total %
21 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
1,760,444
L2 or L3 %
21 %
Notes / Sources
Figures reflect the resident population aged 15 and above who are literate in English (National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda 2022 Census)
Lebanon
Lebanon
Country
Lebanon
Eligible population
4,265,600
Total English speakers
1,706,000
Total %
39 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
1,706,000
L2 or L3 %
39 %
Notes / Sources
Euromonitor International report (2011)
Chile
Chile
Country
Chile
Eligible population
16,634,603
Total English speakers
1,585,027
Total %
9 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
1,585,027
L2 or L3 %
9 %
Notes / Sources
2012 Census.
Croatia
Croatia
Country
Croatia
Eligible population
3,781,833
Total English speakers
1,500,000
Total %
39 %
As first language
2,863
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
1,500,000
L2 or L3 %
39 %
Notes / Sources
2021 Croatian census; Eurobarometer report 2024
Slovakia
Slovakia
Country
Slovakia
Eligible population
5,449,270
Total English speakers
1,400,000
Total %
25 %
As first language
4,365
L1 %
0 %
As an additional language
1,400,000
L2 or L3 %
25 %
Notes / Sources
(For native speakers) 2021 census (total count includes 312,364 people whose first language was unknown, which is excluded when calculating the percentage), Eurobarometer report 2012
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Country
Puerto Rico
Eligible population
3,159,608
Total English speakers
1,247,939
Total %
39 %
As first language
159,024
L1 %
5 %
As an additional language
1,088,915
L2 or L3 %
34 %
Notes / Sources
2022 American Community Survey
Figures for non-native speakers were those who spoke another language and spoke English "very well" and "well".
Slovenia
Slovenia
Country
Slovenia
Eligible population
2,050,000
Total English speakers
1,210,000
Total %
59 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
1,210,000
L2 or L3 %
59 %
Notes / Sources
Eurobarometer report 2012
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Country
Trinidad and Tobago
Eligible population
1,305,000
Total English speakers
1,145,000
Total %
87 %
As first language
–
L1 %
–
As an additional language
1,145,000
L2 or L3 %
87 %
Notes / Sources
Crystal (2003), p. 109. This includes speakers of an English creole.
| Country | Eligible population | Total English speakers | Total % | As first language | L1 % | As an additional language | L2 or L3 % | Notes / Sources |
| United States | 312,142,415 | 299,270,000 | 95 % | 244,079,241 | 78 % | 55,191,937 | 17 % | Figures are from the 2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates by the U . Census Bureau for persons age 5 and older. Total English speakers are those who either spoke English at home (i . as first language) or reported speaking another language at home but could speak English "very well" or "well" (i . as an additional language). |
| India | 1,400,000,000 | 265,000,000 | 19% | 259,678 | 0 % | 2021 estimate. 2011 figure for first language. | ||
| Nigeria | 206,200,000 | 125,039,688 | 60 % | 20,000,000 | 9 % | 103,198,040 | 50 % | English is the most widespread language in the country due to the many different languages spoken, with 60 million speakers. This includes speakers of an English creole, accounting for 51% to 57% of the total population. It is estimated that 10% of Nigerians speak English as a first language. |
| Pakistan | 220,892,331 | 108,044,691 | 48 % | 8,642 | 0 % | 108,036,049 | 48 % | English is one of the official languages under the constitution and is commonly used in education and administration. According to statistics from various sources, the English-speaking population ranges from 88 million to 108 million, accounting for 49% to 58% of the total population. |
| Indonesia | 279,118,866 | 85,968,611 | 30 % | 837,356 | 0 % | 85,131,255 | 30 % | Indonesians learn English as a major foreign language. |
| Philippines | 110,000,000 | 70,117,935 | 63 % | 36,935 | 0 % | 70,081,000 | 63 % | Over 60 million people aged 5 years or more can speak English. "Six out of 10 people aged 5 and over can speak English (63 %)." |
| United Kingdom | 64,835,742 | 63,718,834 | 98 % | 59,323,568 | 91 % | 4,395,266 | 6 % | Data is from the 2021 census. Additional English speaker figures are for usual residents aged 3 years and over with a main language other than English who can speak English "very well" or "well" (or, in the case of Scotland, those who have reported speaking ability in English). |
| Germany | 82,347,000 | 45,900,000 | 55 % | 774,000 | 0 % | 45,100,000 | 54 % | Native speakers: Mikrozensus 2021, Statistisches Bundesamt. Non-native speakers: Eurobarometer report 2012. Does not include foreign military personnel based in Germany. |
| Kenya | 52,533,109 | 41,332,711 | 78 % | – | – | 7,900,000 | 15 % | Crystal (2003), p. 109. |
| France | 67,500,000 | 38,643,750 | 57 % | – | – | 38,643,750 | 57 % | In Paris, 60 % of the population has "reasonable competency", while 57 % of the entire country has "reasonable competency". |
| Egypt | 110,990,000 | 38,846,500 | 35 % | – | – | – | – | Speakers to at least an intermediate level, Euromonitor International Report 2012 |
| Japan | 126,146,099 | 35,320,907 | 28 % | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| South Africa | 65,000,000 | 31,000,000 | 50 % | 5,228,301 | 8 % | 25,771,699 | 38 % | Native speakers from 2022 Census. Non-native speakers: Crystal (2003), p. 109. |
| Canada | 37,138,500 | 30,480,750 | 82 % | 20,193,335 | 54 % | 10,287,415 | 27 % | The 2016 count reported that 23,757,525 people were able to conduct a conversation in English only, while 6,216,065 were able to converse in both English and French. The census also asked for the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the individual: 52% or 19,460,850 reported English as their only mother tongue, 165,32 |
| Australia | 25,422,788 | 23,161,344 | 91 % | 18,303,662 | 72 % | 4,857,672 | 19 % | The 2021 census data is subject to multiple interpretations. The data noted that 18,303,662 persons out of 23,401,892 total only spoke English, and a further 4,857,672 spoke English either "Very Well" or "Well". A further 872,213 persons were listed as speaking English "Not Well" or "Not At All". However, 1,389,243 persons provided incomplete infor |
| Uganda | 44,270,000 | 19,800,000 | 44 % | – | – | 19,800,000 | 44 % | Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2016) |
| Poland | 38,036,118 | 19,000,000 | 49 % | 737,276 | 1 % | 18,000,000 | 47 % | AutoLingual (blog). Number of first language speakers comes from Statistics Poland. However, of the 737,276 people who spoke English "at home", 714,002 also spoke another language "at home", including 707,487 people who also spoke Polish "at home". |
| Ghana | 26,210,872 | 17,610,870 | 67 % | – | – | 17,610,870 | 67 % | 2021 Ghanaian Census, on population aged 6 or above who were "literate" in English. |
| Thailand | 63,038,247 | 17,121,187 | 27 % | – | – | 17,121,187 | 27 % | Crystal (2003), p. 109. |
| Ukraine | 33,365,000 | 17,016,000 | 51 % | – | – | 17,016,000 | 51 % | Sociological study by KIIS |
| Mexico | 120,664,000 | 15,686,262 | 13 % | – | – | 15,686,262 | 13 % | Consulta Mitofsky-Tracking Poll Roy Campos: Las Lenguas Extranjeras en México, January 2013; and II Conteo de Población y Vivienda, Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI) |
| Malaysia | 27,170,000 | 15,580,000 | 57 % | 380,000 | 1 % | 15,200,000 | 55 % | EF English Proficiency Index |
| Netherlands | 16,770,000 | 15,250,000 | 90 % | – | – | 15,250,000 | 90 % | Eurobarometer report 2016 |
| Turkey | 80,200,256 | 12,000,000 | 14 % | – | – | 12,000,000 | 14 % | Eurobarometer report 2006 |
| Brazil | 216,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 5 % | 292,000 | 0 % | 10,250,000 | 4 % | British council (2012) and EF. About 5% of Brazilians have a proficient grasp of English as a second or foreign additional language and an additional 6% have a very rudimentary knowledge. |
| Zimbabwe | 14,439,000 | 11,850,710 | 82 % | 505,365 | 3 % | 11,530,710 | 79 % | |
| Iraq | 31,700,000 | 11,095,000 | 35 % | 95,000 | 0 % | 11,000,000 | 34 % | Euromonitor International report (2011) |
| Bangladesh | 165,158,616 | 10,784,488 | 6 % | 709,873 | 0 % | 10,074,615 | 6 % | Population data are from 2022 Bangladeshi census, and second language data come from the subsequent survey |
| Spain | 47,190,000 | 10,400,000 | 22 % | – | – | 10,400,000 | 22 % | Eurobarometer report 2012 |
| South Sudan | 10,913,164 | 10,258,374 | 94 % | 818,487 | 7 % | 9,439,887 | 86 % | Countries That Speak English and the World Bank |
| China | 1,432,035,200 | 10,000,000 | 0 % | – | – | 10,000,000 | <0 % | Figures are for English users in mainland China only (i . excluding Hong Kong where English is an official language and Macau). The often-cited figure of 300 million is for "learners". |
| Sweden | 10,377,771 | 9,236,000 | 89 % | – | – | 9,236,000 | 89 % | Statistics Sweden, 2021 |
| Italy | 59,619,290 | 8,121,000 | 13 % | – | – | 8,121,000 | 13 % | Languageknowledge |
| Tanzania | 35,341,131 | 7,660,000 | 21 % | 240,000 | 0 % | 7,420,000 | 21 % | 2022 Population and Housing Census on literacy rate amongst people aged 15 or above. Figure for native speakers referred to those who were "literate in English only" while number for non-native speakers referred to those who were literate in "both Kiswahili and English". |
| Cameroon | 19,740,000 | 7,500,000 | 37 % | – | – | 7,500,000 | 37 % | Euromonitor International Report (2009) |
| Morocco | 37,340,000 | 6,883,220 | 18 % | – | – | 6,883,220 | 18 % | |
| Belgium | 10,584,534 | 6,250,000 | 59 % | – | – | 6,250,000 | 59 % | Eurobarometer report 2006 The Belgian population is divided in two distinct linguistic regions: The Belgian Dutch-speaking Flanders, and the Belgian French-speaking Wallonia (the region of Brussels also has a majority of native French speakers). Like in the Netherlands, a high percentage of Flemish people speak English fluently, and in Wallonia, a |
| Israel | 9,601,000 | 3,100,000 | 31 % | 100,000 | 1 % | 3,200,000 | 33% | Data collected in Israel between 2018 and 2020 by the National Center for Exams and Evaluation showed that only 33% of Israeli students are able to hold a basic conversation in English; such data only refers to academic students who had declared to have studied English, which indicates that English knowledge among the general population is at a mu |
| Austria | 8,415,000 | 6,150,000 | 73 % | – | – | 6,150,000 | 73 % | |
| Romania | 19,043,767 | 5,900,000 | 30 % | – | – | 5,900,000 | 30 % | Eurobarometer report 2012 |
| Greece | 10,787,690 | 5,500,000 | 50 % | – | – | 5,500,000 | 50 % | Eurobarometer report 2012 |
| Czechia | 10,562,214 | 5,350,000 | 50 % | 16,481 | 0 % | 5,350,000 | 50 % | |
| Russia | 135,125,671 | 5,066,515 | 3 % | – | – | 5,066,515 | 3 % | Russian population Census, 2021, total count excluded 12,056,452 people who did not specify a language. |
| Ireland | 5,084,879 | 4,958,527 | 97 % | 4,333,372 | 85 % | 625,155 | 12 % | Central Statistics Office 2022 Census Figures for native speakers are people whose spoke English or Irish at home (which likely included the approximately 70,000 people who spoke Irish daily outside education system), and additional speakers are people who spoke other languages and declared that they spoke English "very well" or "well". |
| Sierra Leone | 5,866,000 | 4,900,000 | 83 % | 500,000 | 8 % | 4,400,000 | 75 % | Crystal (2003), p. 109. This includes speakers of an English creole. |
| New Zealand | 4,889,202 | 4,750,056 | 97 % | 3,692,670 | 75 % | 1,057,386 | 21 % | There were 4,993,923 responses to 2023 Census: Language spoken. 4,750,056 gave English as a response . Another 104,721 reported no language (e . too young). Hence it is most meaningful to express the English-speaking per cent without including the figures for these 104,721. This gives 97 % English-speaking (3,673,679 divided by 3,755,565), 2 % n |
| Denmark | 5,543,000 | 4,770,000 | 86 % | – | – | 4,770,000 | 86 % | Eurobarometer report 2012 |
| Norway | 5,136,700 | 4,500,000 | 87 % | – | – | 4,500,000 | 87 % | |
| Papua New Guinea | 6,331,000 | 4,459,191 | 70 % | – | – | 4,459,191 | 70 % | 2011 Census. This statistic is people who are literate in Standard English, not including Tok Pisin. |