The British Empire once stretched across the globe, and it’s still a long way from its peak in the 1920s. The empire’s influence has waned over the past decades, but there are still many countries that speak English as their official language. Here is a list of all countries in Europe that speak English as their primary language. Go to >> https://vu.fr/jcBD
Countries in Europe That Speak English
How Did English Get this Popular?
The British colonies spread the popularity of English by allocating government services like job recruitment, education, transport, and administration through English. That is why, it’s estimated that in Europe alone over 50 million people speak some form of spoken language which is based on a major Western European tongue: French, Spanish or German. The huge effect on global territories not only increased tourism but also triggered changes within national cultures – hence, the effect was on a global scale by the introduction of diverse cultures and languages.
Although England has lost its aura as one of the world’s superpowers, some countries in Europe still maintain or are developing their relationships with Britain (however for different reasons than before- World War II years). Some other countries that have either monolingual English-speaking populations or where major exports to the UK transpire include Belgium, Netherlands, and Switzerland.
With rising numbers of English spoken speakers in Europe, demand for English-speaking and trained workers is constantly on the rise. Also getting projected as a market through which to gain a valuable competitive advantage over many other countries around the EU stronger links between business hubs and the UK have also been established. Read articles http://bit.do/fTynL
Top Countries in Europe that Speak English!
1- Sweden!
Sweden has the highest number of people who speak English as their primary language other than Swedish: around 16% in total. This is more people than any other country in Europe and even some countries studied on this list make up less than 20%. It’s mainly because Sweden was a major exporter to UK before WWII but still remains one! Because of its vast size, proximity, and strong tradition which established it as an industrial powerhouse with high commercial value needed by the UK to maintain its place in the world.
2- Finland!
Because of high context qualification and speaking English or any other languages since early childhood, Finland has many speakers of multiple languages especially at least two (e.g.: Finnish+ Russian) including English while due to this very reason, it is said to have one of the best multicultural children in EU.
3- Denmark!
Among various languages spoken this includes Danish, which like Finland has great English proficiency but ranked 3rd after Sweden and Finland. Besides being neighborly towards the UK it also remains a stable country behind the facade of “Middle East Muslim terrorism” (such as Paris 2015).
Being a small country, Finland and Denmark despite hitting 2nd place in terms of percentage at 11.6% also have high experience with business through the UK due to the strong door-to-door network needed by an already industrial powerhouse like England and UK.
3- Austria and Luxembourg!
Austria is seeing more English spoken speakers than in past years mainly because of its proximity to the UK as well as the increasing number of companies established by Germans. Also speaking multiple languages remains a big point with working towards career goals; many people who work there prefer fluent English despite the language not being required or given much importance in their lives recently.
Luxemburg is an armed neutral country, which rules over a land portion centrally located between the two most powerful forces of France and Germany. Therefore speaking English well enough to perform day-to-day tasks required in their lives should be benefiting by this position in some way or another (survival skills).
Also during WWI Luxembourg got a lot of industry backing via England since it was closer than its local German neighbor due to the long border. All these factors together should give English speakers decent experience by dint of their location.
4- France!
French people must surely be friendly and often welcoming towards anyone trying to sell there in the country? English speaking Frenchmen are easily reached without much of a language barrier from UK immigrants who had become quite familiar with their neighbor’s language across generations.
Of course, there are generally low numbers of speakers as well. However, it is still an international language with many acronyms, or at least once in its history has been used to write secret messages on certain toys (namely the Barbie). This fact alone gives France a huge advantage over other countries in our list because they’ve got all these handy English words lying around!
5- Netherlands!
.Yes, you read that right – the Netherlands is fifth in the lists above. The Dutch language makes up 20% of all of the European population that speaks English! That equals over 10 million people! The Netherlands is a small country with just 16.1 million inhabitants who speak 4 different languages: i) Dutch ii) Frisian iii) Low German iv ) Afrikaans (derived from Dutch).
Dutch people also speak English and French, although not nearly as much or at the same level as how the Dutch speak English. Being predominantly Protestant with a high literacy education rate and their low infant mortality rates that translate into higher life expectancy means they have needed fewer immigrants than other countries around Europe!
6- Ireland!
Ireland is a country located in the northwest of Europe, bordering both northern and southern Great Britain. It has only 4.4 million inhabitants but also speaks English fluently with 26% speaking it as their first language! 27% of Irish people speak British English natively meaning that they can communicate without much dialect deviation even though you may be from Northern Ireland, South England, or Wales (dialect for Londoners).
7- Germany!
Germany is a very influential nation in the sense that it has the second strongest economy of all countries around Europe. In addition to this, Germany was one of only 28 countries that sent troops to Iraq alongside UK and France during the 2003 invasion. Today, Germans speak English natively at a 25 % level with an additional 70% who can also communicate fluently.
8- Austria!
Austria comes second to Germany with its 28% speakers of English. The dialect for Austria is quite similar to German, which besides being spoken by them can also be heard within countries, such as Switzerland and France. Austrian’s love their British culture!
Yet, most of the World’s major powerhouses have at least started to recognize English as a major Product/Trade language in all their economic ventures. In an era where huge trade meets, multinational corporations, worker flows and changing migratory patterns are not just being seen but follow that come – world goes through – it only makes sense for countries like the UK or USA who ‘literally’ rule every form of business and economy. Go to homepage https://buff.ly/34TASkw
The English-speaking world comprises the 88 countries and territories where English is either an official, administrative, or cultural language. 1Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 17). English-speaking world. Wikipedia. [/efn_note]
FAQ
Which European country speaks mostly English?
The United Kingdom is the European country where English is the primary and official language. English is the native language of the majority of the population in the UK, and it is the language used for government, education, business, and everyday communication. While English is widely spoken as a second language in many other European countries, the United Kingdom is the country where it is predominantly spoken as the first language.
Is Norway an English speaking country?
Norway is not an English-speaking country in the sense that English is not its primary or official language. The official language of Norway is Norwegian, specifically a variant known as Bokmål or Nynorsk.
However, many Norwegians are proficient in English, and English is taught as a compulsory subject in schools from an early age. Additionally, in many urban areas and among the younger population, English proficiency is quite high, and it’s common for Norwegians to use English for work, travel, and communication with non-Norwegian speakers.
So, while English is not the primary language in Norway, it is widely spoken and understood as a second language in the country.
Is Belgium an English speaking country?
No, Belgium is not an English-speaking country. The official languages of Belgium are Dutch (Flemish), French, and German. Dutch is the most widely spoken language in the northern region of Flanders, French in the southern region of Wallonia, and German in a small eastern area.
While English is not an official language in Belgium, many Belgians, especially in urban areas and among the younger population, have a good command of English as a second or foreign language due to its importance in international business, education, and communication. English is often used for international business transactions and is taught in schools as a mandatory subject.
So, while English is not one of the official languages of Belgium, it is commonly spoken and understood by a significant portion of the population.
In conclusion, while English is not an official language in most European countries, its influence and prevalence continue to grow across the continent. Throughout this article, we’ve explored the countries in Europe where English is widely spoken and understood, either as a primary language or as a secondary language.
From the United Kingdom, where English is the native tongue and official language, to countries like Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus, where English plays a significant role in daily life and communication, the use of English in Europe reflects the language’s global importance.
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