Across Europe, there is near-universal agreement that speaking a second language is a valuable asset. Yet a new YouGov survey paints a more complex picture: while between 87% and 97% of adults in six European countries say learning another language is useful, the ability to actually speak one fluently varies dramatically from nation to nation.
The survey, conducted in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, found that Denmark leads the pack, with 74% of Danish adults claiming fluency in a second language. Germany follows at 54%, Spain at 47%, France at 37%, and Italy at 28%. Britain trails significantly, with only 21% of adults saying they can speak a second language fluently.
The dominance of English as a global lingua franca likely explains part of this disparity. English is the most commonly spoken second language among Europeans, with between 62% and 93% of multilingual respondents saying they speak it fluently. In Britain, a quarter of those who speak another language cite French, followed by Spanish.
Why do some Europeans avoid language learning?
Among those who do not speak a second language, the most common reason given across most surveyed countries is that they have not felt a need to learn one. Spain is the exception: there, more than a third of non-speakers cite difficulty as the main obstacle.
Despite these barriers, more than 70% of non-speakers in every country say they would like to learn a new language, with travel cited as the leading motivation. English remains the most desired language to learn, chosen by up to 83% of respondents across the continent—except in Britain, where Spanish and French top the list.
The survey also explored attitudes towards tourists speaking the local language. In Italy, Spain, and France, between 56% and 72% of respondents believe visitors should be expected to speak the local language. In Britain, Germany, and Denmark, that figure drops to between 22% and 39%.
On education, there is strong support for compulsory language learning: in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, between 82% and 90% of respondents say foreign languages should be mandatory in schools up to age 16.
These findings come as Europe grapples with broader educational and economic challenges. For instance, one in three young Europeans struggle with basic reading, according to a recent expert warning, which may have implications for language acquisition as well. Additionally, Europeans are trimming essentials to protect leisure spending, which could affect access to language courses and travel opportunities.
The survey highlights a clear divide between aspiration and achievement. While Europeans overwhelmingly recognize the benefits of multilingualism, the gap between wanting to learn and actually doing so remains wide. As the continent becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to communicate across borders may become even more critical—both for personal growth and for economic and social cohesion.
