List of 10 English Speaking Countries in the World

English is one of the most spoken languages in the world and is important for communication in many countries. Countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, India are among the top countries which have the most English speakers in the world.
English gets spoken all around the world by many people. You sees it helps people from different countries talks to each other easily. Today, there are around 1.5 billion English speakers in the world in some way or another. This means 1 in every 5 people can speaks it at different levels. That makes English the most spoken language across all continents right now. Many of the top English speaking countries also use it in schools, jobs, and daily life.
The USA has the most native English speakers. Around 297 million people speak it there. The United Kingdom is next with about 60 million speakers. In Canada, almost 30 million people speak English. In Australia, about 21 million speak it. India has around 265 million English speakers. But most of them use it as a second language. In Africa, Nigeria is very important. Around 125 million people speak English there. It is used in schools and in government.
This article tells you about the top 10 English speaking countries in the world. You also learns where English is the first language for people and how different cultures uses it in their daily lives.
- Top 10 English-speaking Countries in the World
- Top Countries Speak English as their First Language
- Top English-speaking Countries in the Americas
- Top English Speaking Countries in Africa
- Top English Speaking Countries in Oceania
- Top English Speaking Countries in the Caribbean
- Top English Speaking Countries in the Middle East
- Top English Speaking Countries in Asia
- Top English Speaking Countries in Europe
- Which Countries Teach English in Schools?
Top 10 English-speaking Countries in the World
The USA is the 1st largest English-speaking country, and one can check the list of other top countries with English speakers from the table below.
English-speaking countries by population
Country |
Eligible population |
Total English speakers |
|
---|---|---|---|
No. |
% |
||
United States |
312,092,668 |
297,400,000 |
95.29 |
India |
1,450,000,000 |
Over 265 million |
15.76 |
Nigeria |
206,200,000 |
125,039,680 |
60.64 |
Pakistan |
220,892,331 |
108,044,691 |
48.91 |
64,000,000 |
62,912,000 |
98.3 |
|
110,000,000 |
70,117,935 |
63.74 |
|
80,600,000 |
45,400,000 |
56.33 |
|
Uganda |
44,270,000 |
19,800,000 |
45 |
67,500,000 |
38,643,750 |
57.25 |
|
37,138,500 |
30,480,750 |
83.06 |
- The United States has more native English speakers than any other country. You finds around 297 million people speaks it there as their first language.
- The United Kingdom comes next with about 60 million speakers who uses it daily.
- Canada has almost 30 million people speaking English regularly.
- In Australia, you sees about 21 million people speaks it as their main language. India contains around 265 million English speakers throughout the country. But most of them uses it as a second language for business and education.
- Africa has Nigeria as a very important English-speaking nation. You finds around 125 million people speak English there for different purposes.
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IELTS exam | TOEFL exam |
Top Countries Speak English as their First Language
The data of countries with English as their first language is totally different with the countries with more English speakers. One can check the list of top English-speaking countries as their first language.
Country |
As first language |
|
---|---|---|
No. |
% |
|
4,112,100 |
93.22 |
|
United Kingdom |
59,072,000 |
92.3 |
3,673,623 |
85.93 |
|
United States |
244,232,103 |
78.26 |
17,020,421 |
72.74 |
|
Canada |
20,193,335 |
54.37 |
1,953,348 |
48.3 |
|
Nigeria |
20,000,000 |
9.7 |
4,930,510 |
9.31 |
|
Sierra Leone |
500,000 |
8.52 |
Ireland has the highest percentage of people speaking English as first language anywhere in the world. You finds around 93% of people uses English daily for all their conversations and work. The United Kingdom comes really close with 92% of people speaking English as first language throughout the country.
New Zealand has almost 86% of people uses English as their main language for everything. You sees this shows how important English becomes in these countries over time. The United States contains about 244 million native speakers who grew up with English. This represents 78% of the total population there. You can sees how important English is in American life when you looks at these numbers.
Australia has around 73% of people speaks English as first language from childhood. In Canada, you finds about 20 million speakers throughout the country. But this only makes 54% of the population because many people also speaks French regularly. Other countries also has many English speakers in different amounts. Singapore contains about 48% of people speaks English first before other languages.
You sees Nigeria has 20 million native speakers, which equals around 10% of their total population. South Africa contains about 5 million speakers, representing 9% of all people there. Sierra Leone has about 500,000 native speakers, almost 9% of population speaks it first.
Top English-speaking Countries in the Americas
In Americas many people speak English, around 350 million. Most of them live in United States and Canada. Some also speak English in Central or South America. People there learn English too.
Country/Region |
Total English Speakers |
Native Speakers |
---|---|---|
United States |
297 million |
297 million |
Canada |
30 million |
30 million |
Central & South America |
14 million |
- |
- Puerto Rico |
1.7 million |
- |
- Chile |
1.97 million |
- |
- Colombia |
2 million |
- |
- Argentina |
5.9 million |
- |
Top English Speaking Countries in Africa
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In Africa about 237 million peoples speak English. Most speak it like second language. Most English speakers live in Nigeria and Cameroon. Some others speak it too but small number.
Country |
Total English Speakers |
---|---|
Nigeria |
111 million |
Cameroon |
9.8 million |
Uganda |
29 million |
South Africa |
16 million |
Top English Speaking Countries in Oceania
Oceania has around 30 million English speakers, with the majority being native speakers from Australia and New Zealand.
Country/Region |
Total English Speakers |
Native Speakers |
---|---|---|
Australia |
22 million |
22 million |
New Zealand |
4 million |
4 million |
Fiji |
200,000 |
- |
Papua New Guinea |
3.2 million |
- |
Top English Speaking Countries in the Caribbean
In Caribbean there is around 18 places where English is main language. Jamaica have most English speakers here. Other places have less people speak English but still official.
Country/Region |
Total English Speakers |
---|---|
Jamaica |
2.6 million |
Top English Speaking Countries in the Middle East
In the Middle East, English is often taught as a second language, especially in business contexts.
Country |
Total English Speakers (Approx.) |
---|---|
Iraq |
Varies (35% speak as second language) |
Israel |
Over 80% of the population speaks it |
Top English Speaking Countries in Asia
In Asia there are about 460 million people who speak English. Most use English as second language. India has the most English speakers in the region.
Country |
Total English Speakers |
---|---|
India |
265 million |
Pakistan |
25 million |
Bangladesh |
29 million |
Philippines |
50 million |
Singapore |
Over 4.2 million |
Top English Speaking Countries in Europe
Europe has around 200 million people who can speak English, with the United Kingdom having the highest number of native speakers.
Country |
Total English Speakers |
---|---|
United Kingdom |
60 million |
Italy |
20.7 million |
France |
25.4 million |
Germany |
45.8 million |
Which Countries Teach English in Schools?
One can check the list of countries where English is taught in schools.
Region |
Countries |
---|---|
Europe |
Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic |
Asia |
China, India, Japan, South Korea, Philippines |
Middle East |
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel |
Africa |
Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria |
Latin America |
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama |
Oceania |
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa |
These countries show how widely English language is used. They also prove the importance of English in business, education, and culture all over the world.
The United States has the largest number of English speakers, with approximately 297 million native speakers.
The ten countries where English is primarily spoken include:
Country | As first language | |
No. | % | |
93.22 | ||
United Kingdom | 59,072,000 | 92.3 |
3,673,623 | 85.93 | |
United States | 244,232,103 | 78.26 |
17,020,421 | 72.74 | |
Canada | 20,193,335 | 54.37 |
1,953,348 | 48.3 | |
Nigeria | 20,000,000 | 9.7 |
4,930,510 | 9.31 | |
Sierra Leone | 500,000 | 8.52 |

Comments
(1)
On the basis of speakers, the top 5 English speaking countries are:
United States
India
Nigeria
Philippines
United Kingdom