Most Europeans say a second language is useful. Not everyone can actually speak one

A recent survey of European adults reveals a widespread belief in the value of speaking a second language, yet actual fluency varies significantly across nations. According to the YouGov poll in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, 87% to 97% of respondents say learning another language is useful. However, when asked about actual fluency, the figures paint a different picture.

Denmark has the highest rate, with 74% of adults claiming fluency in a second language, followed by Germany at 54%, Spain at 47%, France at 37%, and Italy at 28%.

Britain records the lowest fluency rate, with only 21% of adults claiming fluency. The dominance of English as the global language likely influences these results, as English is the most common second language among Europeans, spoken fluently by between 62% and 93% of multilingual individuals. In Britain, a quarter of those who speak another language can speak French, followed by Spanish.

When asked why they don't speak a second language, the most common reason across most countries is a lack of perceived need. Spain stands out, with more than a third of non-speakers citing difficulty as the main reason. Over 70% of non-speakers in every country surveyed expressed a desire to learn a new language, with travel being the leading motivation.

The survey also inquired whether visitors to each country should speak the local language. Between 56% and 72% of respondents in Italy, Spain, and France believe tourists should do so, while in Britain, Germany, and Denmark, the figure ranges from 22% to 39%. Education-wise, between 82% and 90% of respondents in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain believe foreign languages should be compulsory in schools up to age 16, while 66% of Britons share this view.

Britons are also the least likely of the six nationalities to consider speaking another language very useful, at 46%, compared to between 57% and 70% in the other five countries.