The World’s English Speakers: A Comprehensive Overview
The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with an estimated 1.5 billion speakers. However, the exact number of English speakers can be difficult to determine, as it depends on how one defines a "speaker" of English. In this article, we will explore the current state of English language proficiency, including the number of native and non-native speakers, and the demographics of English speakers.
Native English Speakers
Native English speakers are individuals who have a native-like proficiency in the English language, meaning they can understand and communicate effectively in English without any significant difficulty. According to a 2019 survey by the British Council, there are approximately 379 million native English speakers in the world.
- Countries with the highest number of native English speakers:
- United States: 239 million
- United Kingdom: 67 million
- Canada: 20 million
- Australia: 18 million
- New Zealand: 4 million
- Regions with the highest number of native English speakers:
- North America: 239 million
- Europe: 67 million
- Asia: 20 million
- Africa: 4 million
Non-Native English Speakers
Non-native English speakers, also known as non-native speakers of English, are individuals who have not learned the English language as their first language. This can include individuals who have learned English as a second language, or those who have acquired English through other means, such as through education or work.
- Countries with the highest number of non-native English speakers:
- China: 140 million
- India: 100 million
- Nigeria: 70 million
- Indonesia: 60 million
- Pakistan: 50 million
- Regions with the highest number of non-native English speakers:
- Asia: 140 million
- Africa: 100 million
- Latin America: 70 million
- Europe: 60 million
Demographics of English Speakers
The demographics of English speakers can be broken down into several categories, including age, sex, and language proficiency.
- Age:
- Children under 5 years old: 1.5 billion
- Children 5-14 years old: 1.2 billion
- Adults 15-64 years old: 1.1 billion
- Adults 65 years and older: 200 million
- Sex:
- Male: 1.1 billion
- Female: 1.4 billion
- Language proficiency:
- Basic: 1.2 billion
- Intermediate: 1.1 billion
- Advanced: 1.0 billion
- Proficient: 800 million
Language Proficiency Levels
Language proficiency levels can be measured in several ways, including the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) language difficulty ranking, which categorizes languages into four difficulty levels: Category I (easiest), Category II (moderate), Category III (difficult), and Category IV (very difficult).
- FSI language difficulty ranking:
- Category I: 24-30 weeks (6-9 months)
- Category II: 36-44 weeks (9-12 months)
- Category III: 44-88 weeks (12-24 months)
- Category IV: 88-110 weeks (1-2 years)
- Language proficiency levels:
- Basic: 1.2 billion
- Intermediate: 1.1 billion
- Advanced: 1.0 billion
- Proficient: 800 million
Global English Language Use
The use of English as a global language is widespread, with English being the most widely spoken language in the world. According to a 2020 report by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), English is the second most widely spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese.
- Global English language use:
- 1.5 billion speakers
- 2.5 billion potential speakers
- 80% of the world’s population speaks English
- 50% of the world’s population speaks English as a second language
Conclusion
The English language is a global language with a vast number of speakers. Native English speakers make up a significant portion of the population, while non-native English speakers make up the majority of the global English language use. Understanding the demographics of English speakers can provide valuable insights into the language’s global reach and usage.