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In this article, we take a look at the top 15 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe. If you would like to skip the discussion on European English proficiency, please visit the following link: Top 5 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe.
English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, and this trend is spreading to Europe as well. In countries such as Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, English occupies an important position along with the official language. Europe plays an active role in providing education and career prospects to individuals around the world, which further promotes the use of the English language. The EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) recently released a ranking of 113 countries around the world, with European countries dominating the list.You can also check Here are the 20 countries that speak the most fluent English in the world.
In fact, more than 370 million of the 450 million people living in the European Union (EU) speak English. Residents of European countries typically acquire English skills during childhood, contributing to a high level of English proficiency. In Switzerland, more than 60% of the population speaks English fluently, while in Denmark this figure rises to 86%. As language learning app Babbel observed in Luxembourg, many Europeans are multilingual, with some speaking four languages. Babbel is a language learning platform that is slowly but consistently gaining popularity. It currently ranks as one of the top grossing apps in the language learning industry worldwide. It was first introduced in Berlin Mitte in 2008 as his web application. In 2022, Babbel recorded his revenue of 247 million euros, an increase of 31% compared to the previous year. This revenue increase shows Babbel’s ability to attract a larger subscriber base while retaining its existing users.
Several Most English speaking country in Europe Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. These countries have a significant number of people who speak English fluently as their first or second language. According to EF EPI, the Netherlands ranks first out of 113 countries when it comes to English proficiency. Language barriers can be an important consideration for individuals planning to live or work in Europe, and can also influence travel decisions. Recognizing this challenge, many companies have introduced online language learning programs aimed at reducing language barriers across these countries. Prominent companies in this space include Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE:RST), Duolingo Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL), and Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR). The English Language Learning (ELL) market is projected to grow from $21.3 billion in 2022 to $70.7 billion by 2030. This expansion reflects a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%. Growth in this industry is driven by factors such as globalization, expansion of the e-learning market, and demand for a multilingual workforce capable of communicating across borders.
Companies in the ELL industry are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to further improve their services. For example, at its 11th annual conference in 2023, Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) shared plans to integrate ChatGPT-powered interactive education technology tools into its learning platform. These innovations include generative AI coaches for students and AI course building tools for instructors. Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda explained that these changes are happening thanks to amazing advances in generative AI that offer new ways to make learning more interactive and customizable. He noted that there is a high need for upskilling, with up to 49% of the workforce potentially needing to learn new skills. This could also increase demand for the services of companies like Duolingo Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) and Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE:RST).
With this context in mind, let’s take a look at Europe’s top 15 English-speaking Schengen countries.
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our methodology
To create a shortlist of the top 15 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe, we collected information on the percentage of English-speaking people in the countries located in the Schengen area. Additionally, wherever possible, we used the 2023 English Proficiency Index to gain insight into each country’s English proficiency levels. We ranked each country by the percentage of its population that speaks English in 2024.
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Top 15 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe
15.Germany
Percentage of population that speaks English: 56%
Over 50% of Germany’s citizens speak English, making it one of the most English-speaking countries in Europe. According to the English Proficiency Index, Germans’ English proficiency is “very high.” English is widely used in business in Germany, and there are many jobs that require English. Berlin is the city with the largest English-speaking population in the country.
14. Hungary
Percentage of population that speaks English: 57%
Hungary’s official language is Hungarian, but in recent years English has become increasingly popular among the Hungarian population. English is becoming increasingly common among Hungarians, especially in large cities like the capital Budapest and among young people. Many Hungarians learn English in school and are fluent in it. Also, according to the English Proficiency Index, Hungarians’ English proficiency is “high.”
13. France
Percentage of population that speaks English: 57.25%
The Ile-de-France region of Greater Paris, together with the Pays de la Loire and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, has the highest concentration of English speakers in the country. Approximately 57.25% of the French population speaks English with “some English proficiency”, and in Paris this figure rises to her 60.28%. France ranks 13th on the list of the top 15 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe.
12. Slovenia
Percentage of population that speaks English: 59%
For the majority of people in this country, Slovenian is the mother tongue. Slovenia’s education system incorporates foreign language instruction, and students are typically offered the opportunity to study Italian, German, and English in addition to other elective foreign languages.
11. Croatia
Percentage of population that speaks English: 60%
The official language of Croatia is Standard Croatian. According to recent Eurostat data, Croatia is in the top class for foreign language learning among the EU countries, with 99.9% of students studying a foreign language at school. According to the English Proficiency Index, the country ranks 11th out of 113 countries in English proficiency. English-speaking people live widely in the capital, Zagreb, and in the coastal areas.
10. Belgium
Percentage of population that speaks English: 60%
Belgium’s official languages are German, Dutch, and French. According to EF EPI, Belgium ranks 7th in Europe for English proficiency. The country places a strong emphasis on English language education, and there are many universities that offer courses in English. Belgium is among the top 10 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe.
9. Switzerland
Percentage of population speaking English: 61.28%
Although English is widely used in Switzerland and has grown in popularity in recent years, particularly due to globalization and the rise of the tourism industry, it is not the country’s official language. The country’s official languages are Romansh, German, French and Italian, reflecting the diversity of the country’s linguistic environment. Switzerland typically exhibits high levels of English proficiency, especially in urban areas where multinational companies are based. According to the English Proficiency Index, the country’s citizens generally demonstrate high English proficiency.
8. Austria
Percentage of population that speaks English: 73%
Austrians are known for speaking a variety of languages, but English is very important in this country. Austria’s official language is German, but English is her second most spoken language. According to the EF English Proficiency Index, Austria ranks as her second most English-speaking country in the European Union.
7. Finland
Percentage of population that speaks English: 75%
Approximately three-quarters of Finland’s population has some level of English proficiency. Although Swedish and Finnish are the country’s official languages, a significant portion of Finnish citizens are fluent in English. Finland offers a wide range of English language learning programs, reflecting its commitment to bilingual education. Moreover, Finns readily communicate in English with visitors. The country’s high level of English proficiency has also been recognized by the EF EPI.
6. Denmark
Percentage of population that speaks English: 86%
Danes are fluent in English, and nearly all Danes speak it fluently. Therefore, even travelers who are not fluent in the native language will have no problem navigating Denmark. Danish children are exposed to English culture and language from an early age through English instruction, and as they grow older, their English proficiency continues to improve. According to the Danish Ministry of Higher Education, students wishing to enroll in English-taught programs must provide evidence of English language proficiency at least equivalent to “English B” in the Danish high school system.
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Disclosure: None. Top 15 English-speaking Schengen countries in Europe Published on Insider Monkey.
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