List of 10 English Speaking Countries in the World
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List of 10 English Speaking Countries in the World

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Oct 16, 2025 16:06 IST

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 Speaking Countries 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.

Table of content
  • 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?
View More

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

United Kingdom

64,000,000

62,912,000

98.3

Philippines

110,000,000

70,117,935

63.74

Germany

80,600,000

45,400,000

56.33

Uganda

44,270,000

19,800,000

45

France

67,500,000

38,643,750

57.25

Canada

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.

Top English language exam for beginners:

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.

%

Ireland

4,112,100

93.22

United Kingdom

59,072,000

92.3

New Zealand

3,673,623

85.93

United States

244,232,103

78.26

Australia

17,020,421

72.74

Canada

20,193,335

54.37

Singapore

1,953,348

48.3

Nigeria

20,000,000

9.7

South Africa

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.

Q:   What are the top 5 English-speaking countries?
A:

On the basis of speakers, the top 5 English speaking countries are:

  • United States

  • India

  • Nigeria

  • Philippines

  • United Kingdom

Q:   Which country speaks the most English in the world?
A:

The United States has the largest number of English speakers, with approximately 297 million native speakers.

Q:   What are the 10 countries that speak English as a primary language?
A:

The ten countries where English is primarily spoken include:

Country

As first language

No.

%

South Africa

93.22

United Kingdom

59,072,000

92.3

South Zealand

3,673,623

85.93

United States

244,232,103

78.26

Australia

17,020,421

72.74

Canada

20,193,335

54.37

Singapore

1,953,348

48.3

Nigeria

20,000,000

9.7

South Africa

4,930,510

9.31

Sierra Leone

500,000

8.52

About the Author
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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Comments

(1)

M

Mathew

a week ago

New Zealand is an English speaking country. How could you missed out New Zealand?

Reply to Mathew