Speaking English has been considered one of the most demandable weapons to excel in facets like profession, education, business, and general communication. From dealing with international clients and building foreign relations to delving into professional ventures abroad, English is one of the internationally accepted languages.
The article fills you in on the origin of European English besides the top English-speaking countries in Europe with relevant facts and figures of each.
Origin Of English in Europe
The origin of European English is a fascinating subject that traces back to the historical and cultural influences that have shaped the English language in Europe. English has its roots in Old English, which is connected to England and Scotland. However, the spread of the English language beyond the British Isles began with the expansion of the British Empire that had profoundly impacted the evolution and adoption of English in Europe.
Through colonization, the British Empire established colonies and trading posts worldwide, spreading the English language to various regions across the globe. This resulted in its widespread usage and applicability in the EU and other parts of the world.
In recent decades, English has become the lingua franca (shared language of communication) of the European Union.
According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, English is the most widely spoken foreign language in the EU Member States, with approximately 38% of Europeans stating that they can have a conversation in English. This highlights the significance and popularity of English in Europe.
Top 10 English speaking countries in Europe:
If you are going to study abroad, establish a new business or expand your present business, or explore a new job or profession, etc. in the EU, there are a few nations in the EU about which you should read and learn more. Many nations are listed regarding people with strong English-speaking abilities and competency.
Given Below is a list of the top English speaking countries in Europe:
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
- Netherland
- Iceland
- Malta
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Finland
- Germany
- Belgium
- Austria
- Poland
The table below showcases the top English-speaking countries in Europe with their capitals, English-speaking populations, and proficiency in English:
| Country | Capital | Eng. speaking Population | Proficiency in speaking English |
| United Kingdom | London | 98% | 98.2% |
| Republic of Ireland | Dublin | More than 98% | 98% |
| Netherland | Amsterdam | More than 90% | 95% |
| Iceland | Reykjavik | 98% | 90% |
| Malta | Valletta | 88% | 88% |
| Sweden | Stockholm | 89% | 71% |
| Denmark | Copenhagen | 86% | 67% |
| Norway | Oslo | 90% | 68% |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg | 80% | 66% |
| Finland | Helsinki | More than 70% | 66% |
| Germany | Berlin | 62.35% | 64% |
| Belgium | Brussels | 61% | 64% |
| Austria | Vienna | 73% | 63% |
| Poland | Warsaw | 62% | 62% |
The readers are requested to go through updated figures related to different periods with different levels of parameters as this may change the ranking of the countries in the future.
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1. UNITED KINGDOM: It is an island country that is located in northwest mainland Europe. It is also ranked 6th among the world’s top-recorded economies. A population of around 98% is English-speaking here with a proficiency level of 98.2%. Besides, it is known for its sports and literature all over the world. Institutions like Oxford and Cambridge provide some of the best academic resources and research positions in English here.
2. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: In Northern Ireland, English is the first official language and became the dominant language because of the British Colonization. The first official language was Irish as per 1937’s revised Constitution. English has now begun as the global language of business here. A population of more than 98% speaks English with a proficiency level of 98%, thus allowing it to prosper as a top english-speaking country in europe. Amazingly, the famous festival of Halloween was also invented in Ireland.
3. NETHERLAND: Netherlands means “low countries’ that are a low-lying region. It is one of the best countries in Europe due to the quality, availability, and flexibility of the workforce here. A population of more than 90% is English-speaking here with a proficiency level of 95%. It is a famous tourist destination well known for its Dutch art, architecture, and flowers.
4. ICELAND: It is a small island country in Europe’s westernmost country. 11% of it is covered in glacial ice. Icelandic is the official language of Iceland, but around 98% of the population speaks English with a proficiency level of 90%. It has some of the world’s largest glaciers with the most active volcanoes. It generates geothermal and hydroelectric energies in abundance.
5. MALTA: It is a small EU state with its capital in Valletta. It became an English-speaking nation around 1868 in Europe. Maltese is their regional language. A population of around 88% is English-speaking here with a proficiency level of 88%. It is the destination of many museums and galleries of islands and fortifications related to the medieval era. The country has a UNESCO Site called Hypogeum.
6. SWEDEN: It is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Swedish or Svenska is their official language. English is treated as a second language and taught as one of the other foreign languages in the institutions here. A population of 89% is English-speaking here with a proficiency level of 71%, which makes it rank high in the top english-speaking countries in Europe. Health care and college education are found to be free here. Also, the Nobel Prize was founded in Sweden.
7. DENMARK: It is a Nordic country in Northern Europe and is considered the most populous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is considered one of the good locations for abundant and good job opportunities for English speakers. A population of 86% speaks English here with a proficiency level of 67%. Also, it is among the happiest countries in the world. The country has 444 islands.
8. NORWAY: It is a mainland territory and a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It has made English a mandatory subject in its primary schools since the 1960s. A population of 90% is English-speaking here with a proficiency level of 68%. It is one of the world’s most prosperous countries with oil production of around 20% of its economy. It is rich in forests, fish, minerals, hydropower, etc.
9. LUXEMBOURG: It is a landlocked country in northwestern Europe. Though German, French, and Luxembourgish are the three official languages here, English is still commonly used. A population of 80% speaks English with a proficiency level of 66%. Luxembourg accounts for the highest GDP per capita and is the second richest country in the world. It is one of the safest to travel and is famous for its vineyards.
10. FINLAND: It is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. English is a widely spoken language despite Finnish and Swedish as the official languages here. It has a population of more than 70% English-speaking with a proficiency level of 66%. 74% of the country is forestry. It is the happiest nation in the world. It is also the first-ever European country that has given the Right to Vote to Women.
11. GERMANY: Germany is a Western European country with forests, rivers, mountain ranges, and North Sea beaches. It is the largest economy of the European Union. It is one of the top English-speaking European countries with a population of more than 62.35% with a proficiency level of 64%. Germans dominate the business markets in Europe. English is their business language. Amazingly, German is known to be the third most widely taught language in the world.
12. BELGIUM: It is officially known as the Kingdom of Belgium and is a country in Northwestern Europe. It is a country in Europe with a high proficiency index in English. It is the birthplace of french fries. A population of 61% is English-speaking here with a proficiency level of 64%. Though French, Dutch, and German are its official languages. Surprisingly it can operate without a government.
13. AUSTRIA: It is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. Its official language is German. A population of 73% speaks English here with a proficiency level of 63%. It ranked 2nd out of 112 countries in the EF ranking of EPI 2022. Its EF EPI score was 628. It is home to the world’s largest Ice Cave (Eisriesenwelt Cave) and Europe’s tallest waterfall (the Krimml Waterfalls).
14. POLAND: Poland means “Lands of Fields” and is a country in Central Europe. A population of 62% speaks English here with a proficiency level of 62%. Polish is the native language of Poles. But English is a business language here. Polish is the native language of Poles. It has one of the world’s unique and historical wonders like the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Torun Old Town, etc.
For any query or advice related to education or career in the above-mentioned European countries, professional guidelines are available to provide the appropriate guidelines at Admissify.
Read also:
10 Universities Where You Can Study Abroad in English
Top Study Abroad Destinations for English Speaking Students
Winter Intake In Germany 2023: Deadline and Top Universities
Conclusion:
The origin of European English can be traced back to historical and cultural influences, including the expansion of the British Empire and the influence of American popular culture.
Today, English has become a dominant language in Europe, serving as a global lingua franca and playing a vital role in communication, business, and education. Another significant factor that contributed to the spread of English in Europe is the influence of American popular culture, media, and business.
Regardless of geographical or cultural histories or differences across the globe. English has opened a world of new opportunities, the network of people, the network of technology or commerce altogether by simply being a connection.
FAQs:
How much of the population can speak English in Europe?
There are about 50 countries in Europe. Nearly 50% of the population can speak European English.
Which countries in Europe are considered the best for Education?
As per Education Ranking 2023, the top 5 countries are Germany, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Which are the non-English speaking European countries?
Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino are some of the top non-English speaking countries of Europe.
Avinash Singh is a study abroad consultant with over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their academic goals. He is an expert in the US, Australian, German, and Canadian education systems and has helped hundreds of students secure admission to top universities around the world. In his spare time, Avinash enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid reader and loves to learn new things.
