Top Countries Leading in English Language Investment

With over 1.5 billion speakers worldwide, English holds the title of the most widely spoken language on the planet. Mastering English can open doors to countless opportunities, from advancing your career and exploring new destinations to connecting with diverse individuals and experiencing rich cultures.

Given the numerous advantages that come with mastering English, it’s no wonder that many nations prioritize English education for their citizens. Many even provide online access to specialized English tutors for children to kickstart their language journey at a young age. So, which countries are leading the way in English language investment, and where can you find the best cities for a career that will let you showcase your language proficiency?

To uncover the factors influencing English education in EEA countries, LingualNeeds has explored various key metrics. These include whether English is a mandatory or optional subject in schools, the availability of English language and international schools, local interest in learning English, government spending on education as a percentage of GDP, overall English proficiency, and the number of job opportunities that require English language skills.

The top 10 countries investing the most in English

The table below highlights the top 10 countries leading the way in English language investment, based on the criteria outlined above.

In Germany, English is a compulsory subject, ensuring that every student learns the language at some stage in their education. Among the countries we examined, Germany ranks fourth in the number of English language schools, boasting 1,316 institutions. This is behind Italy, which leads with 2,025, followed by Poland with 1,923 and Spain with 1,471.

In Germany, the average monthly search interest for phrases like “learn English” stands at 3,480, making it the eighth most popular query. Notably, the country leads the way in career opportunities that demand English proficiency, boasting an impressive 4,537 job openings.

Spain

Spain ranks second behind Germany in the number of countries where English is a mandatory language. Notably, it boasts the highest concentration of international schools among all countries in our study, with a remarkable 274 institutions. Additionally, Spain is home to over 1,400 English language schools, making it a prime destination for language education.

Spain may hold the impressive position of second overall, but its English proficiency score stands at 540—only slightly above Italy's 535, making it one of the lowest in the rankings. This assessment comes from the EF English Proficiency Index, which evaluates the English skills of two million adults globally. In this index, a higher score signifies greater proficiency in the language.

Spain’s proficiency in English is considered moderate, indicating that most Spaniards can effectively engage in English-speaking meetings related to their work, comprehend the lyrics of English songs, and compose professional emails on familiar topics.

Given this information, it’s no wonder that Spain ranks second in the world for search interest in “learning English,” with an impressive 14,990 searches each month. This strong desire to enhance English skills may be fueled by the availability of online Spanish courses, helping many individuals on their journey to becoming bilingual.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands proudly holds the third spot globally and leads our rankings with an impressive English Proficiency score of 663, categorizing it as ‘very high.’ This exceptional level of proficiency means that the average Dutch individual can skillfully navigate social conversations, comprehend complex English texts effortlessly, and confidently negotiate contracts with native English speakers.

The Netherlands stands out not only for its exceptional English proficiency but also for its impressive commitment to English education. With 5,090 monthly searches dedicated to learning English, the country ranks sixth in this category. Additionally, it boasts 48 international schools, also placing sixth in this area. Given the Netherlands' relatively small size, these statistics underscore the nation’s significant investment in English language learning.

Other countries investing heavily in English language education include Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Norway, France, and Iceland.

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The 10 countries investing the least in English

The table below shows the 10 countries that invest the least in learning English:

Slovenia

Our analysis reveals that Slovenia allocates the least resources to English language education. In this country, English is offered as an optional subject, meaning students aren't mandated to take lessons. As a result, the onus to learn English falls primarily on the individual, rather than being supported by government initiatives or educational policies.

Slovenia stands out for having one of the lowest counts of English language and international schools in our analysis, with only 63 and 5 institutions, respectively. In stark contrast, Italy boasts an impressive 2,025 English language schools, which is over 32 times more than Slovenia.

In Slovenia, the monthly Google search interest for phrases like “learn English” stands at a modest 210 searches, indicating a limited enthusiasm for acquiring English as a second language. This is further underscored by the mere 106 job openings nationwide that require English proficiency, highlighting why learning this skill may not be a top priority for many.

Lithuania

Lithuania is making a modestly greater investment in English education compared to Slovenia. While English is offered as an optional subject, Lithuania boasts 52 English language schools, slightly fewer than Slovenia. However, it stands out with 9 international schools, providing additional opportunities for English learning.

Interest in learning English is on the rise in Lithuania, with an average of 340 monthly searches for related topics. This growing curiosity reflects a broader trend towards language acquisition in the country.

Cyprus

Cyprus ranks as the third lowest in investment among the countries we analyzed. Similar to many of the other lowest performers, English is not a compulsory language in the country. Additionally, Cyprus sees minimal interest in English language learning, reflected in its average of just 190 Google searches per month for related terms, making it one of the lowest figures on our list.

Other countries investing very little in English language education include Bulgaria, Slovakia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania, and Liechtenstein.

The capital cities with the most English-speaking jobs

Across the globe, countless individuals are opting to learn English to enhance their career opportunities. Mastering a second language not only opens doors to better job prospects and higher salaries but also allows for greater travel flexibility and the chance to connect with diverse cultures and people.

To determine which capital cities prioritize English as a second language in the job market, we analyzed LinkedIn job postings to see how many positions in each city require English-speaking candidates.

The table below highlights the top 10 capital cities where English language skills are most in demand in the job market.

Berlin

Berlin, the vibrant capital of Germany, boasts the highest number of job openings for English speakers, with a remarkable 1,160 vacancies available. This trend can be attributed to the fact that English lessons are a mandatory part of the curriculum for German students. As a result, proficiency in English has become a common expectation among employers, rather than a specialized skill, reflecting the city's diverse and international job market.

Warsaw

Warsaw, the vibrant capital of Poland, holds the second spot on the list. While English may not be a mandatory subject in schools, there are currently 1,113 job openings in the city that require applicants to be proficient in the language.

Bucharest

The capital city with the third-highest number of jobs requiring English is Bucharest, in Romania. 

Similar to Warsaw, Bucharest is situated in a country where English lessons are not mandated in schools. Nonetheless, there are currently 920 job postings on LinkedIn in Bucharest that specify a requirement for English proficiency.

Mastering a new language and applying your skills is an incredibly fulfilling accomplishment. It opens up exciting opportunities in both your professional and personal life that you may not have previously considered.

Enhancing your language skills is more achievable with the guidance of a tutor, who can create a tailored plan to deepen your understanding and help you practice in real-world scenarios. At LingualNeeds, you’ll find a wide selection of English tutors ready to assist you in broadening your horizons and leveraging your language abilities for future success. Additionally, explore LingualNeeds' corporate English training and specialized business English courses for a more professional focus.

Sources & Methodology

We conducted an in-depth analysis of 29 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) to identify those making the greatest investments in English language education. Our evaluation considered various factors, including whether English is a mandatory or optional subject in schools, the availability of English language schools, the presence of international schools, public interest in searches for terms like “learn English” and “English language schools,” as well as job opportunities requiring English proficiency. Using these metrics, we developed a weighted index to assign an overall score to each country. You can find all referenced sources here.