How Many Countries Speak English In 2024 (Data & Numbers)

English is the most spoken language worldwide, with nearly 1.4 million speakers. Plus, It is the official language of 67 countries and 27 non-sovereign entities.

How Many Countries Speak English - Anderson-Institute

From the United States and the United Kingdom to countries in Africa and Asia, English has become a global language for communication, trade, and diplomacy. 

In this article, we will explore the countries where English is the official language and take a closer look at the number of people worldwide speaking English

English Speaking Countries Worldwide: Top Picks (2024)

  • 1.35 billion people worldwide speak English. 
  • Around 360 million people globally speak English as their first language.
  • English is the official language of 67 countries and 27 non-sovereign entities.
  • 138 countries include English as part of their core curriculum. Meanwhile, 40 other countries offer it as an optional course.

How Many Countries Speak English in 2024?

Discover how many countries speak English worldwide with our comprehensive list of English-speaking nations on each continent. Keep reading to find out!

1. English Speaking Countries in North & South America

The United States of America does not identify any language as its official language. Still, it is well-known that most people identify English as their first language and use it daily. English is also the primary language used for educational and official activities.

After the USA, Canada is another English-speaking country in North America. English is Canada’s official language, followed by its second official language, French. Most of Canada’s population is bilingual and speaks both. The e-learning industry makes its most revenue from the United States only because the US is one of the most English-speaking countries.

Countries that recognize English as their official language are:

CountryPercentage of the population that speaks English
United States95.5%
Canada83.06%
Belize81.65%
Guyana90.55%
Bermuda96.92%
Falkland IslandsUnknown
Puerto Rico48.61%
Jamaica97.64%
Antigua and Barbuda80%
Anguilla92.31%
Bahamas87.13%
Barbados93.91%
British Virgin Islands86.96%
Cayman Islands76.6%
Sint MaartenUnknown
Dominica94.03%
Grenada90.91%
Saint Kitts and Nevis78%
Saint Lucia43.03%
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines95%
Turks and Caicos IslandsUnknown
Trinidad and Tobago87.74%
US Virgin Islands95.97%

Please note that even though some countries recognize English as their official language, a significant portion of their population doesn’t speak English. If you’re looking to improve your English writing skills, you can make use of the tools like Grammarly. It’s an AI-powered writing tool that helps you to enhance your writing skills. Enhance your English writing using this exclusive Grammarly discount of 2024. Grammarly can be a good writing assistant to native and non-native English speakers.

2. English Speaking Countries in Europe

A study by the Eurydice network concluded that about 90% of European schoolchildren learn English at some stage of their primary education. But that doesn’t mean they’re proficient in English as they grow up.

Europe

Several European countries and territories speak English chiefly and recognize it as their official language. They are listed below:

CountryPercentage of the population that speaks English
Wales99%
Isle of Man99.93%
Scotland98.6%
Ireland98.37%
England92%
Malta62.39%
Gibraltar100%

3. English Speaking Countries in Africa

Most African countries have several official languages, and South Africa alone has eleven official languages; other than these, various languages and dialects are used in the country.

Africa

Many African countries, like Botswana, have enlisted English as their official language, but a minority of their population speak and use it daily. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, English is used abundantly, even though it is not identified as an official language.

So, Countries that identify English as their official language and a big part of the population speaks it too are listed below:

CountryPercentage of the population that speaks English
South Africa31%
Nigeria86.42%
Mauritius15.97%
Botswana38.42%
Cameroon38%
Gambia2.34%
Ghana66.67%
Kenya18.83%
Lesotho27.86%
Liberia82.87%
Namibia17.24%
Malawi3.88%
Seychelles37.63%
Sierra Leone83.53%
Swaziland48.2%
Tanzania9.89%
Rwanda15%
Uganda89.9%
Zambia16%
Zimbabwe82.07%

4. English Speaking Countries in Asia

English is one of the most spoken languages on the continent. However, several countries still need to identify English as their official language even though most of the population is proficient in it and uses it daily.

Asia

Below is a list of countries where English is the official language:

CountryPercentage of the population that speaks English
Singapore83.10%
Philippines58.2%
Pakistan49%
Brunei39.07%
India12%

Note that in some of these countries, even though English is listed as an official language, it is mainly used for official and educational purposes.

5. English Speaking countries in Oceania

Like the USA and the U.K., Australia does not recognize English as its official language even though it is used widely daily. Countries that follow the same practice are the Cook Islands and American Samoa, and in New Zealand, English is both the official and chiefly used language.

The Countries listed below have officially listed English as their official language, even though it is not the primary language used by the masses.

CountryPercentage of the population that speaks English
Australia92.80%
New Zealand97.82%
Cook Islands19.80%
Fiji20.62%
Guam91.09%
Kiribati24.21%
Marshall Islands98.33%
Micronesia57.66%
Nauru96.67%
Northern Mariana Islands83.33%
Palau92.50%
Papua New Guinea49.76%
American Samoa80.1%
Samoa49.86%
Solomon Islands31.68%
Tonga30%
Vanuatu83.55%

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Final Words: How Many Countries Speak English In 2024

With over 1.35 million speakers, English is most widely used for international communication and other official work worldwide.

The United States and India have the highest number of English speakers, with 316 million and 128 million, respectively. 

Further, we expect that the number of English speakers globally will cross 1.4 million in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many people speak English in the world?

About 1.35 billion people on this planet speak English, but a majority of them have different native languages. Approximately 360 people speak English as their first language.

Which country has the most English speakers?

Even though The United States of America doesn’t identify English as an official language, with a population of about 317 million English-speaking people, the country has the most English speakers.

What are the major countries where English is spoken?

The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland are major countries with English as their official language. In addition, India has nearly 128 million people who speak English. Singapore and South Africa also have a large number of English speakers.

Are there any countries where English is not an official language, but English speakers are still numerous?

Yes, although English is not an official language in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, many people still speak English in these countries. Recent surveys have shown that more than 20 million people in Germany have working English knowledge.

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