The Full Listing of X Official English-Talking Nations

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For those who’re a local English speaker or an English learner, figuring out what international locations communicate English is useful so you realize the journey locations the place most individuals communicate English and the place most paperwork can be found in English. As well as, jobs in English-speaking international locations could also be simpler so that you can get should you’re a local speaker, bilingual, or trilingual. And should you’re simply beginning to be taught English with the Rosetta Stone App, you may research your new language in an immersive atmosphere!

So, what international locations communicate English? After cautious analysis, we’ve compiled a complete checklist of nations that use English. You’ll be taught the distinction between English as a de facto and de jure language, that means which international locations checklist English as an official language vs. when English is taken into account essentially the most generally spoken language.

What number of international locations communicate English?

There are 75 English-speaking international locations and states world wide. 52 of them are impartial international locations, whereas 21 are non-sovereign states or territories. The final two international locations don’t have any official languages listed, however English is essentially the most generally spoken language, so we included them.

However what counts as a rustic that speaks English? Can a rustic be thought-about an English-speaking nation if it’s not an official language? Right here’s how we decided what international locations so as to add to our checklist of 75 English-speaking international locations.

De jure language vs. de facto language

Lists of English-speaking international locations embrace two completely different issues. The primary is international locations the place English is taken into account the official language (additionally referred to as the de jure language). These international locations use English of their training programs, authorities paperwork, and media. Even when it’s the official language, English may not be the most typical language used.

In international locations the place English is essentially the most generally spoken language, however not formally designated, it’s generally known as a de facto language. You’re prone to hear English spoken extensively, however it could be inconsistently documented on signage, and so on. Residents of those international locations seemingly discovered English as their first or second languages.

What international locations communicate English?

Our lists of nations that talk English embrace international locations and states the place English is an official language—even when it’s not extensively spoken in any respect. For readability, we point out different international locations which have a robust presence of English audio system, however they don’t seem to be counted in our complete.

English-speaking international locations in Africa

In line with World Inhabitants Assessment, round 237 million individuals communicate English in Africa with 23 international locations itemizing English as an official language. The general public in these international locations communicate a language in addition to English, together with indigenous languages and creole languages (a mixture of two distinguished languages). Some international locations, like South Africa and Zimbabwe, checklist English as considered one of 11 or 12 completely different official languages!

*Sources for all charts: www.worlddata.information, www.cia.gov, www.worldpopulationreview.com

English-speaking international locations within the Americas and the Caribbean

There are 12 international locations that talk English inside the American continents and the Caribbean area. Of those, eight international locations are Caribbean island international locations, the place most residents communicate an English Creole language, which is completely different from Haitian Creole. 

Just one South American nation (Guyana) and one Central American nation (Belize) checklist English as an official language. In North America, English is an official language in Canada and the US (English was made an official language of the US in 2025). All collectively, 350 million English audio system reside on this area of the world.

Along with the impartial international locations within the Americas and the Caribbean, there are 9 non-sovereign states that contemplate English as an official and/or generally spoken language. 

English-speaking international locations in Asia

Over 460 million individuals in Asia communicate English, though it’s solely listed as an official language in 4 international locations. In India, English and Hindi are the nationwide languages, and every state names its personal official languages. Folks residing in international locations like Japan, China, and Thailand, the place English isn’t the official language, typically communicate and perceive English as a second or third language.

In West Asia, English can also be a standard second language. Practically half of Pakistan speaks English, and in international locations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, many voters are fluent in English because it’s taught in faculties however not acknowledged formally.

Hong Kong, a non-sovereign state in Asia, additionally considers English as an official language. Most individuals residing in Hong Kong be taught Cantonese as their first language, however they typically be taught English as their second language.

English-speaking international locations in Europe

Though there are 200 million English audio system throughout Europe, it could shock you to be taught there are solely three European international locations that contemplate or use English as an official language. The UK, probably the most distinguished English-speaking international locations, considers English solely a de facto language, but Welsh was not too long ago codified as an official UK language and Irish in Eire as effectively.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you received’t hear English exterior these three international locations listed under. Since English is a Germanic language, different international locations that talk Germanic languages typically have excessive English proficiency ranges. Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway are all generally known as international locations with many English audio system. However wherever you journey in Europe, you’re positive to search out individuals who know sufficient English that can assist you order meals or get to the airport.

You’ll additionally hear English spoken in these British territories in Europe. Akrotiri and Dhekelia are positioned on the island of Cyprus, the place Greek and English are the official languages, adopted by Turkish and Russian by de facto. Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, and Jersey are additionally British territories positioned close to the UK and Spain.

English-speaking international locations in Oceania

Residence to the nation with essentially the most languages on the planet (Papua New Guinea), Oceania is called a linguistically numerous area. 11 international locations in Oceania checklist English as an official language. Australia, the most important nation in Oceania, doesn’t checklist an official language, although English is the de facto language there.

Different island international locations in Oceania use pidgin languages (simplified variations of languages) or regional dialects of indigenous languages like Māori and Fijian. Nonetheless, they nonetheless embrace English as an official language for presidency and training use.

A number of non-sovereign states additionally use English as an official language. Residents in Norfolk, the Prepare dinner Islands, and Guam communicate English as a standard language, whereas these residing in territories like American Samoa and Niue communicate indigenous regional languages.

What nation has essentially the most English audio system?

The US has essentially the most native English audio system on the planet. Round 274 million individuals communicate English within the U.S., which is round 81% of the full inhabitants. For those who reside exterior the US, you’re positive to listen to English spoken nearly in all places if you arrive, although the dialects differ extensively!

Nonetheless, English is without doubt one of the most spoken languages on the planet, with over 1 billion audio system throughout the globe. Most of those audio system be taught English as a second language. Round 265 individuals in India communicate English (or an English/Hindi hybrid generally known as Hinglish) as a primary or second language. That makes India the nation with the second-most English audio system and learners on the planet.

Key takeaways for English-speaking international locations

Though there are 75 international locations that talk English world wide, no two are precisely the identical. Keep in mind these necessary particulars in relation to English-speaking international locations:

• Nations that checklist English as an official language (or de jure language) use it in authorities and training programs.
• When English is a de facto language, it’s not listed as an official language, but it surely’s generally spoken in that nation.
• Regardless that a rustic lists English as an official language, English might not be generally spoken there.