How Many People in Germany Speak English? (Updated 2025)

Did You Know? Over 45 Million Germans Speak English!

That’s right, according to a Eurobarometer report, around 45.5 million people in Germany speak English as their second language. This impressive number places Germany at the top in Europe and 6th worldwide when it comes to non-native English speakers!

Sources: Statista, Eurostat, Wikipedia

So what does this mean for English in Germany?

In this article, we’re diving deep into the English-speaking population across the country. You’ll find out:

How fluent Germans really are in English

Who’s speaking it (by age, gender, and profession)

And where you’re most likely to hear English on the streets of Germany!

Whether you’re curious about how widespread English is in Germany or just love language stats, we’ve got some fascinating insights coming your way.

👉 Keep reading and get ready to be surprised by some fun facts about English in Germany!

How Good Are Germans at Speaking English? You Might Be Surprised!

When it comes to language skills, Germany truly shines!
Nearly 4 out of 5 Germans speak at least one foreign language, and more than half the country is fluent in English!

While there are some differences depending on age and region, the average German can hold their own in a fluent English conversation. So if you’re heading to Germany or just curious about how strong their English game really is, get ready for some impressive facts!

Quick Stats on English in Germany

• 56% of Germans speak English as a second language, that’s about 45.4 million people!
  
• Germany holds the title for the most non-native English speakers in Europe.
  
• Around 392,000 people in Germany speak English natively (about 0.47% of the population).
  
• According to the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index, Germans are ranked #10 in the world for English skills!
  
• The average EPI score for Germany was 598/800, indicating a high level of proficiency.
  
• Most Germans speak English at around a C1 level, which means advanced proficiency, think fluent conversations, TV shows, and even professional work!
  
• North Rhine-Westphalia is the most English-savvy state, scoring 619/800.
  
• Karlsruhe takes the crown as the city with the best English skills, with a whopping EPI score of 672, officially “very high.”
  
• Kids in Germany start learning English from as early as age 5, thanks to the national school curriculum.
  
• Germans aged 21–25 show the highest English proficiency of all age groups.
  
• According to Statista:
  
  • 10.08 million Germans rate their English skills as “very good.”
    
  • And over 20 million rate them as “fairly good.”

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index, Statista, Eurostat,

So, What Does This All Mean?

Germany isn’t just good at speaking English, they’re great at it. With structured education, cultural exposure, and a high value placed on language skills, it’s no wonder English is so widely spoken and well understood.

So, if you’re learning English or curious how your country compares, Germany is a shining example of what’s possible with consistent language learning!

How Good Are Germans at Speaking English? Let’s Find Out!

Germany isn’t just known for its precision engineering and pretzels, it’s also one of the best non-English-speaking countries at, well… speaking English! 

Did you know that nearly 4 out of 5 Germans speak at least one foreign language, and more than half of them speak fluent English? While proficiency can vary by age and region, the average German can easily strike up a conversation in English. Now that’s impressive!

English in Germany: The Numbers Behind the Fluency

According to a Eurobarometer report and data from Statistisches Bundesamt (Germany’s Federal Statistical Office) and EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2024, here’s how Germany stacks up:

According to reports from Eurobarometer, Statistisches Bundesamt (Germany’s Federal Statistical Office), and the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2024, here’s how Germany ranks when it comes to English language proficiency:

• 56% of Germans speak English as a second language, that’s approximately 45.4 million people.
  Source: Eurobarometer Report on Languages, 2020
  
• Germany has the largest number of non-native English speakers in Europe.
  
• Around 392,000 people in Germany are native English speakers, which accounts for approximately 0.47% of the population.
  
• Germany ranks #10 globally for English proficiency in the EF English Proficiency Index 2024, with an average score of 598/800, indicating a high level of proficiency.
  
• The average German speaks English at a C1 (Advanced) level, meaning they can comfortably watch English films, read books, and work in English-speaking environments.
  
• North Rhine-Westphalia is the most English-proficient state, with an EPI score of 619/800.
  
• The city of Karlsruhe has the highest English proficiency in Germany, with a remarkable score of 672, categorized as very high proficiency.
   
• Young adults aged 21–25 have the highest English fluency, influenced by modern education and digital exposure.
  
• According to Statista, over 10 million Germans consider their English very good, and more than 20 million say their skills are fairly good.
  
• English is a compulsory subject in German schools, with children typically starting English lessons as early as age 5.
  

How Well Do Germans Speak English? A Regional Breakdown

Germany consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for English proficiency. While Germany comes in 10th place globally according to the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index (EPI), it’s important to note that the competition is fierce. Germany’s average EPI score of 598 isn’t far behind the global leader, the Netherlands, which boasts a score of 636.

A Quick Comparison with Neighboring Countries

Curious how Germany compares to its neighbors? Here are the latest EPI stats for nearby countries:

• Netherlands: 636 (1st globally)
  
• Finland: 626
  
• Norway: 623
  
• Germany: 598
  
• France: 559
  
• Spain: 545
  

English Proficiency in Germany by Region

Germany is made up of 16 administrative regions, and the EF English Proficiency Index provides data for 14 of them. Across the country, there’s a high degree of consistency in English skills, with both Northern and Southern regions performing well.

Top 5 Regions with the Highest English Proficiency:

1. North Rhine-Westphalia
   
2. Rhineland-Palatinate
   
3. Bremen
   
4. Bavaria
   
5. Baden-Württemberg
   

Regional EPI Scores and CEFR Equivalents

Region	Population	EPI Score	Proficiency Level	CEFR Equivalent
Bavaria	13.08 million	636	Very High	C1
Baden-Württemberg	11.07 million	631	Very High	C1
Bremen	569,352	617	Very High	C1
Thuringia	2.14 million	616	Very High	C1
North Rhine-Westphalia	17.93 million	615	Very High	C1
Lower Saxony	7.98 million	613	Very High	C1
Schleswig-Holstein	2.92 million	613	Very High	C1
Rhineland-Palatinate	4.08 million	613	Very High	C1
Saxony-Anhalt	2.21 million	605	Very High	C1
Saxony	4.08 million	600	Very High	C1
Saarland	990,509	595	High	B2
Hesse	6.27 million	588	High	B2
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern	1.61 million	583	High	B2
Brandenburg	2.54 million	581	High	B2

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index

Key Regional Insights

• North Rhine-Westphalia ranks highest in the country with a score of 619, surpassing the national average by 21 points.
  
• Bavaria, a major cultural and technological hub, also shows very high English skills, attracting English-speaking locals, immigrants, and tourists alike.
  
• Rhineland-Palatinate follows closely behind with a score of 617.
  
• Bremen, despite being Germany’s smallest region, ranks third with a strong score of 616.
  

On the other end of the spectrum:

• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has the lowest regional score of 571, but still falls within the “high” proficiency category.
  
• Lower Saxony, Hesse, and Saxony-Anhalt also show strong English skills, though slightly below the 600 mark.
  

The National Average

The average EPI score for Germany across all regions is 613 out of 800, which corresponds to a C1 level on the CEFR scale, meaning that the average German can comfortably understand and communicate in English in both professional and casual settings.

English Speakers in Germany by City

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index, Statista, Eurostat,

When it comes to speaking English, Germany’s cities perform impressively well. The 2024 EF English Proficiency Index provides detailed insights into 15 major German cities, and the results show that English is spoken fluently across the urban landscape.

Top 5 Cities with the Highest English Proficiency

1. Karlsruhe
   
2. Cologne
   
3. Bonn
   
4. Stuttgart
   
5. Düsseldorf
   

These cities lead the way, but many others across the country aren’t far behind. Let’s take a closer look at the data:

English Proficiency by German City

City	Population	EPI Score	Proficiency Level	CEFR Equivalent
Karlsruhe	313,092	672	Very High	C1
Munich	1.472 million	658	Very High	C1
Dresden	554,649	652	Very High	C1
Bremen	569,352	646	Very High	C1
Düsseldorf	619,294	636	Very High	C1
Bonn	327,258	634	Very High	C1
Stuttgart	634,830	632	Very High	C1
Hamburg	1.841 million	632	Very High	C1
Dortmund	587,010	630	Very High	C1
Hanover	532,163	630	Very High	C1
Nuremberg	518,365	626	Very High	C1
Cologne	1.086 million	624	Very High	C1
Leipzig	587,857	612	Very High	C1
Essen	583,109	594	High	B2
Berlin	3.645 million	592	High	B2
Frankfurt	753,056	591	High	B2

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index

Key Observations

• Karlsruhe tops the list, despite being only the 22nd largest city in Germany. With an EPI score of 655, residents of Karlsruhe display very high English proficiency.
  
• Berlin, the capital and most populous city, ranks lower on the list with a score of 592. While the average level is still high, the city’s large and diverse population likely contributes to a broader range of English skills.
  
• Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt, four of Germany’s five biggest cities, show either very high or high levels of English.
  

Largest Cities vs. English Skills

Rank	City	Population	Proficiency
#1	Berlin	3.645 million	High
#2	Hamburg	1.841 million	Very High
#3	Munich	1.472 million	Very High
#4	Cologne	1.086 million	Very High
#5	Frankfurt	753,056	High

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index

This data confirms that Germany’s metropolitan areas are global leaders in English proficiency, making them highly accessible to international visitors, businesses, and expats.

English Proficiency by Demographic Group

While English is widely spoken in Germany, some demographic trends highlight where the language is most dominant.

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index, Statista, Eurostat,

Age and Gender Differences

• Men scored slightly higher than women on the EPI, with an average margin of 10 points.
  
• Both genders consistently achieved a C1 level on the CEFR scale, reflecting strong conversational and comprehension skills.
  
• Young adults aged 21–25 scored the highest, followed closely by those in the 26–30 age range.
  
• Germans under 40 generally possess high to very high English proficiency.
  
• Adults over 40 had, on average, a B2 level, still considered fluent, though slightly less proficient than younger groups.

Sources: EF English Proficiency Index, Statista, Eurostat,

Generational Shift

People aged 55 and above were not fully represented in the EF-EPI dataset. However, linguistic research suggests that many in this age group have lower English proficiency, mainly because English was not a mandatory school subject until 1964.

What About School-Age Germans?

Children and teens under 18 weren’t included in the data, but the national curriculum offers clues:

• By Grade 4, students are expected to reach A1 level (beginner).
  
• By Grade 9, many achieve a high B1 level, indicating intermediate conversational fluency.
  
• Language learning is reinforced with continued instruction through Grade 10 and often supplemented by extracurricular or private lessons.
  

Conclusion

Germany is recognized for its high-quality education system, and English language instruction is a standard part of the national curriculum. From an early age, German students are exposed to English in school, laying a strong foundation for fluency.

Beyond the classroom, English plays a vital role in Germany’s global professional landscape, particularly in the finance and technology sectors. As a result, English proficiency extends well beyond academic use and is a key asset in the workplace.

Today, approximately 56% of Germans speak English, with many achieving advanced or very high proficiency levels. English speakers are most commonly found among those under 40, especially in major metropolitan areas like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.

Germany’s commitment to multilingualism makes it one of the most accessible non-native English-speaking countries in Europe, both for tourists and professionals alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In many multinational companies, English often serves as the primary language of communication, especially in meetings, documentation, and client interactions.

Many companies now require English proficiency, and some roles are even English-only. In major cities, up to 15% of job listings are specifically targeted at English speakers, making Germany an appealing destination for expats and international professionals.