More and more Europeans appreciate the importance of speaking at least one foreign language, with a noticeable increase in EU’s population of people capable of having conversations other languages than their mother tongue, according to the latest “European and their languages” report published by the European Commission.
The Eurobarometer survey on Europeans and their languages provides information on citizens language skills, use of languages and attitude to language learning within the European Union. It also allows shows the evolution over time, as results are compared with the previous language survey conducted in 2012.
Surveying 26,523 people across EU Member States over a two month period, the report reveals that 3 out of 5 Europeans (59%) can have a conversation in at least one other language than their mother tongue, 3% more than in 2012. The proportion is even higher among youth, with 4 out of 5 (79%) of 15 to 24 year olds being able to have a conversation in a foreign language, 5% more than in 2012.
Albeit smaller, there has also been an increase in the number of people who speak more than one foreign language. Overall, 28% of Europeans speak at least two foreign languages and 11% at least three, with the proportion among youths being higher at 39% and 15% respectively.
This Eurobarometer survey underscores the vital importance of multilingualism in fostering a united and culturally rich European Union.
Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
Variations withing the bloc are however high, ranging from Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden and Latvia, where over 95% of the population speaks a second language, to Hungary, Romania and Poland, where fewer than 40% of the citizens can converse in a foreign language.
Comparing 2012 and 2023, the proportion of respondents who speak one language in addition to their mother tongue has increased in 15 countries, most notably in Czechia, Spain and Finland. On the other hand, the figures have decreased in 6 Member States, most notably in Austria, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
There is a clear preference for English as a second language, with 47% of all Europeans and 70% of youths, speaking English in addition to their mother tongue, a 5% and 9% increase, respectively, since 2012. The proportions of people who speak French, Spanish and Italian have remained the same, however French has decreased in popularity among young Europeans by 1% while Spanish has increased by 3%. German speaking has decreased by 2% among all Europeans, to 10%, and even more, by 4% among young people, to 12%.
More importantly, have very positive attitudes towards multilingualism and support the promotion of language learning: 86% of respondents consider that everyone should speak at least one other language other than their mother tongue and 69% say more than one language; 76% think that improving language skills should be a policy priority; and 84% believe that regional and minority languages should be protected.
“It is heartening to see that Europeans recognise the value of learning languages”, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, commented on the findings. “This not only enhances their personal and professional opportunities but also strengthens our collective identity and mutual understanding.”
The results of the survey show that the EU is getting closer its target for youth set out in the 2019 Council Recommendation on a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages, namely acquiring proficiency in the language of schooling and knowledge of two other languages before the end of upper secondary education.
