This map, created by the illustrator Jakub Marian, shows the percentage of English speakers in each European country according to the Eurobarometer published by the European Commission in 2012 (with data from 2006 for Croatia).
The significant differences between countries are surprising. In addition to the obvious, Ireland and the United Kingdom, with more than 95% of English speakers, it is interesting to note the widespread knowledge of English in the Netherlands (90%), Denmark (86%) and Sweden (86%). At the other end of the scale, we find Hungary (20%), Spain (22%) and Bulgaria (25%).
It is important to emphasise that knowledge of English, as shown on this map, is based on a survey in which the population is asked about their perception of their knowledge of the language. This may lead to some countries having higher or lower values than the actual ones, depending on their own perception of their ability to communicate in English.
Sources
- Map of the percentage of people speaking English in the EU by country
- Special Eurobarometer 386: Europeans and their languages
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