English is a language that does not top the list of most common languages in the world, but it certainly is a language that people speak in six continents and seventy countries. Most of the applications and websites on the internet also comprise English as their main language. Therefore, if you master English, you can truly call yourself a global language master.
Though this is a fact, have you ever wondered how many countries speak this language to make it a global one? Are you thinking about how much the English language is used by people worldwide in their daily life? No matter the reason, today we will talk about all the countries that host English as their main or one of their main languages.
Our team has thoroughly researched and developed the names for each country from every continent that speaks English. So, make sure to make it until the end of this article to get your answers!
Continents And Their English-Speaking Countries
Let us look at the countries that speak English based on the continents.
1. North And South America
It is a commonly known fact that most of the population in the United States of America use English to carry out their daily tasks and hold conversations. It is also the language used for handling educational and governmental affairs.
Besides the USA, Canada is another American country known for its widely-accepted usage of English. English is also its top official language, seconded only by French and spoken by nearly an equal amount of its population. Most of Canada’s population is proficient in using English and French equally.
Countries in North and South America that speak English as its official language are:
- Cayman Islands
- United States
- Bermuda
- Anguilla
- The Virgin Islands
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Belize
- Pue
- Guyana
Please note that even after having English as their official language, you can still find a huge population in some of these above-stated countries that do not speak English.
2. Europe
Europe is renowned for its usage of English in its governmental papers. As per the latest survey, more than 90% of literate Europeans come across and study English at some period during their lifetime. Though true, not all of them gain proficiency or fluency in the language.
In Europe, English is the most used language, seconded by German and followed by French. Most of the renowned countries in the continent speak English which is mentioned below.
- Ireland
- Wales
- Malta
- Jersey
- The Isle of Man
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
- Guernsey
- Gibraltar
- England
3. Africa
Africa is a continent that consists of various official languages. South Africa has 11 total languages recorded as its official languages, other than official languages, and many local and tribal languages are also used in the country.
English is also listed as one of its official languages lists. But in many countries of the continent, a very small population uses English as part of their daily conversations or any professional task. For example, English is listed as Botswana’s official business language, but hardly any of its population makes use of it in the referred context daily.
Hence, Countries where English is known to be spoken well in daily life and as its official language are:
- Rwanda
- Kenya
- Ghana
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
- Lesotho
- South Africa
The countries where despite being listed as their official language, English is not a key language for daily communication are below.
- Burundi
- Malawi
- The Gambia
- Sierra Leone
- Liberia
- Mauritius
- Saint Helena
- Seychelles
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Zambia
- Cameroon
- Swaziland
4. Oceania
Australia is a country in Oceania that, similar to the USA, is famous for its wide usage of English daily but has not declared it as its official language. Most other countries in Oceania are English speakers, such as the Cook Islands and American Samoa.
There are many other countries in Oceania where their populations widely use English despite not being listed as the official language. The other Oceanic countries that officially have English as their primary spoken language are below.
- Kiribati
- Guam
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Pitcairn
- Fiji
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Tonga
- Palau
5. Asia
Asia is home to one of the most widely used languages on the planet. English is also counted as one of the continent’s most-used languages. Many countries do not have English listed as their official language but are used by their civilians more than their official language(s).
Countries in Asia that have English as their official language are listed below.
- Pakistan
- India
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Israel
- Malaysia
- Brunei
- Philippines
- Bangladesh
Among these countries, India, Singapore, the Philippines, and Pakistan are the countries that have English listed as their official language. Most of the governmental and educational tasks are also carried out using English.
6. Caribbean
The Caribbean is known for its beautiful beaches, tropical climates, and colorful cultures. It’s also home to many English-speaking countries, making it a great destination for travelers interested in the local language.
Whether looking for a relaxing vacation spot or an exciting adventure, you will be satisfied with these English-speaking Caribbean countries. No matter where you go, expect friendly locals, delicious food, and plenty of sunshine to put a smile on your face.
Here are some countries in the Caribbean with English as their official language are listed below.
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Jamaica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Saint Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
Conclusion: How Many Countries Speak English
English is third on the list of most common primary languages worldwide. More than a billion people around the planet speak the language, and only about 380 million have learned English as their mother tongue.
The language is used for a great amount of official and educational use. Hence, if you want to learn or become fluent in English, doing so can expand your network and career opportunities worldwide while making numerous friends and acquaintances.
Anuj is a renowned linguist and grammarian with over 3 years of experience in teaching and researching the English language. He holds a PhD in English Language and Linguistics from Delhi University, and is the author of several highly acclaimed books on grammar and usage.