Top 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 is a language spoken all over the world, connecting people from different countries and cultures. About 1.5 billion people speak English, which means around one in every five human beings—speak English, making it the most widely spoken language. Among the list of countries where English is commonly spoken, top ten are especially important because of their large populations of English speakers and their influence on global culture.

The United States has the most native English speakers, with around 297 million people. The United Kingdom comes next with about 60 million speakers. Other countries like Canada and Australia also have the most English speakers, with around 30 million and 21 million respectively. Interestingly, India has a huge number of English speakers—about 265 million—though many use it as a second language. This shows how diverse English can be in different cultures. In Africa, Nigeria is notable for having about 125 million English speakers, where the language is used in schools and government.

The article is all about the top ten English-speaking countries by numbers, list of countries that speak English as their first language, and 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 the highest number of English speakers at approximately 297 million, representing 95.29% of its population. India has a large English-speaking population of about 228 million, but this is only 15.76% of its total population.

In Nigeria, around 125 million people speak English, making up 60.64% of its population. The United Kingdom has a high percentage of English speakers at 98.3%, with about 63 million native speakers. Countries like Canada and the Philippines also show significant numbers of English speakers at 83.06% and 63.74%, respectively.

While English is one of the most widely spoken languages globally, it is interesting to note that learning English can be relatively easier compared to some of the hardest languages in the world, such as Mandarin Chinese and Arabic.

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 who speak English as their first language, with about 93.22% of its population using English daily. The United Kingdom is not far behind, with 92.3% of its residents speaking English as their first language, reflecting its deep roots in the language's history. In New Zealand, 85.93% of the population also speaks English as their primary language.

The United States has a large number of native English speakers, estimated at around 244 million, which makes up 78.26% of its population. This shows how important English is in American life. In Australia, about 72.74% of people speak English as their first language. In Canada, there are around 20 million English speakers, but this is only 54.37% of the total population because Canada is also home to many French speakers. 

Other countries like Singapore, Nigeria, and South Africa have fewer native English speakers compared to these leading countries but still have significant numbers. In Singapore, about 48.3% speak English as their first language, while Nigeria has around 20 million native speakers, which is about 9.7% of its population. South Africa has approximately 4.9 million native speakers, making up about 9.31%. Lastly, Sierra Leone has around 500,000 native speakers, or about 8.52% of its population.

Top English Speaking Countries in the Americas

In the Americas, approximately 350 million people speak English. The majority are native speakers residing in the United States and Canada, while a smaller number is found in Central and South America.

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

In Africa, about 237 million people speak English, primarily as a second language. The largest populations of English speakers are found in Nigeria and Cameroon.

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

The Caribbean has about 18 territories where English is an official language. Jamaica has the largest population of English speakers in the region.

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

Asia has about 460 million people who can speak English, with most using it as a second language. India has the highest number of English speakers.

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

These countries not only showcase the widespread use of the English language but also highlight its importance in global communication across various sectors including business, education, and culture.