In 2021, 52.6 million people had English as a main language in England and Wales, approximately 91.1 percent of the population. Although the number of English speakers has grown in number since 2011, when there were 49.8 million speakers, as a share of the population it has declined by 1.2 percent.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Office for National Statistics (UK). (November 29, 2022). Number and percentage of people whose main language was English in England and Wales* in 2011 and 2021 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 16, 2026, from /statistics/329347/census-first-language-england-wales-population/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number and percentage of people whose main language was English in England and Wales* in 2011 and 2021." Chart. November 29, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 16, 2026. /statistics/329347/census-first-language-england-wales-population/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2022). Number and percentage of people whose main language was English in England and Wales* in 2011 and 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 16, 2026. /statistics/329347/census-first-language-england-wales-population/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number and Percentage of People Whose Main Language Was English in England and Wales* in 2011 and 2021." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 29 Nov 2022, /statistics/329347/census-first-language-england-wales-population/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Number and percentage of people whose main language was English in England and Wales* in 2011 and 2021 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/329347/census-first-language-england-wales-population/ (last visited July 16, 2026)
Number and percentage of people whose main language was English in England and Wales* in 2011 and 2021 [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), November 29, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/329347/census-first-language-england-wales-population/
