In 2021, there were 611,845 people who spoke Polish as a main language in England and Wales, the most common non-English language among the population. This was followed by Romanian, and Panjabi, which had 471,945 speakers and 290,745 speakers respectively.
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License information was derived automatically
This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify Household Reference Persons in England and Wales by whether one or multiple languages are spoken, and by ethnic group. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.
Area type
Census 2021 statistics are published for a number of different geographies. These can be large, for example the whole of England, or small, for example an output area (OA), the lowest level of geography for which statistics are produced.
For higher levels of geography, more detailed statistics can be produced. When a lower level of geography is used, such as output areas (which have a minimum of 100 persons), the statistics produced have less detail. This is to protect the confidentiality of people and ensure that individuals or their characteristics cannot be identified.
Lower tier local authorities
Lower tier local authorities provide a range of local services. There are 309 lower tier local authorities in England made up of 181 non-metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities, 36 metropolitan districts and 33 London boroughs (including City of London). In Wales there are 22 local authorities made up of 22 unitary authorities.
Coverage
Census 2021 statistics are published for the whole of England and Wales. However, you can choose to filter areas by:
Multiple main languages in household
Classifies households by whether members speak the same or different main language. If multiple main languages are spoken, this identifies whether they differ between generations or partnerships within the household.
Ethnic group
The ethnic group that the person completing the census feels they belong to. This could be based on their culture, family background, identity or physical appearance.
Respondents could choose one out of 19 tick-box response categories, including write-in response options.
In 2025, there were around 1.53 billion people worldwide who spoke English either natively or as a second language, slightly more than the 1.18 billion Mandarin Chinese speakers at the time of survey. Hindi and Spanish accounted for the third and fourth most widespread languages that year. Languages in the United States The United States does not have an official language, but the country uses English, specifically American English, for legislation, regulation, and other official pronouncements. The United States is a land of immigration, and the languages spoken in the United States vary as a result of the multicultural population. The second most common language spoken in the United States is Spanish or Spanish Creole, which over than 43 million people spoke at home in 2023. There were also 3.5 million Chinese speakers (including both Mandarin and Cantonese),1.8 million Tagalog speakers, and 1.57 million Vietnamese speakers counted in the United States that year. Different languages at home The percentage of people in the United States speaking a language other than English at home varies from state to state. The state with the highest percentage of population speaking a language other than English is California. About 45 percent of its population was speaking a language other than English at home in 2023.
This dataset shows the most spoken languages by borough and MSOAs in London. It provides numbers of the population aged 3+ who speak specified languages as their main language.
Main language is from 2011 Census (detailed) - Census table QS204EW.
This data is presented alongside Annual Population Survey (APS) data showing the top nationalities of residents in January - December 2019 by borough. The top 3 non-British nationalities are at the far right of the table. This is to highlight areas which may now have other common non-British languages spoken compared to 2011 (the year in which the Census information was gathered). The top non-British nationalities in 2019, which did not feature in 2011 as one of the most spoken non-British languages, are highlighted in column AD.
The APS has a sample of around 320,000 people in the UK (around 28,000 in London). As such all figures must be treated with some caution. Estimates for non-British nationalities at borough level that are below 10,000 are considered too small to be reliable and should be treated with additional caution.
MSOA codes have now been linked to House of Commons MSOA names
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
The census is undertaken by the Office for National Statistics every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The most recent census took place in March of 2021.The census asks every household questions about the people who live there and the type of home they live in. In doing so, it helps to build a detailed snapshot of society. Information from the census helps the government and local authorities to plan and fund local services, such as education, doctors' surgeries and roads.Key census statistics for Leicester are published on the open data platform to make information accessible to local services, voluntary and community groups, and residents. There is also a dashboard published showcasing various datasets from the census allowing users to view data for Leicester and compare this with national statistics.Further information about the census and full datasets can be found on the ONS website - https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/aboutcensus/censusproductsMain languageThis dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by their main language. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.Main language is a person's first or preferred language. They may speak other languages as well. A main language is provided only for residents age 3 and above. Residents age below 3 years will appear as ‘Does not apply’. Please note that some organisations exclude those below 3 years when calculating percentages for this variable.This dataset contains information for Leicester City and England overall.
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
The census is undertaken by the Office for National Statistics every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The most recent census took place in March of 2021.The census asks every household questions about the people who live there and the type of home they live in. In doing so, it helps to build a detailed snapshot of society. Information from the census helps the government and local authorities to plan and fund local services, such as education, doctors' surgeries and roads.Key census statistics for Leicester are published on the open data platform to make information accessible to local services, voluntary and community groups, and residents. There is also a dashboard published showcasing various datasets from the census allowing users to view data for the MSOAs of Leicester and compare this with Leicester overall statistics.Further information about the census and full datasets can be found on the ONS website - https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/aboutcensus/censusproductsMain languageThis dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by their main language. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.Main language is a person's first or preferred language. They may speak other languages as well. A main language is provided only for residents age 3 and above. Residents age below 3 years will appear as ‘Does not apply’. Please note that some organisations exclude those below 3 years when calculating percentages for this variable.This dataset contains information for the MSOAs of Leicester City.
As of February 2025, English was the most popular language for web content, with over 49.4 percent of websites using it. Spanish ranked second, with six percent of web content, while the content in the German language followed, with 5.6 percent. English as the leading online language United States and India, the countries with the most internet users after China, are also the world's biggest English-speaking markets. The internet user base in both countries combined, as of January 2023, was over a billion individuals. This has led to most of the online information being created in English. Consequently, even those who are not native speakers may use it for convenience. Global internet usage by regions As of October 2024, the number of internet users worldwide was 5.52 billion. In the same period, Northern Europe and North America were leading in terms of internet penetration rates worldwide, with around 97 percent of its populations accessing the internet.
In 2021, the London borough of Newham had the highest share of residents that spoke a language other than English as their main language. Brent had the second-highest share of residents that had a different main language, followed by Ealing and Harrow, all also London boroughs. Outside of London, Leicester had the highest share of people who reported a language other than English as their main one, at 30 percent.
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
This provides estimates of the percentage of usual residents aged 3 and over in England and Wales by their proficiency in English. The proficiency in English classification corresponds to the tick box response options on the census questionnaire. Estimates are used to help central government, local authorities and the NHS allocate resources and provide services for non-English speakers. It also helps public service providers effectively target the delivery of their services. For example, translation and interpretation services and material in alternative languages. Statistical Disclosure Control - In order to protect against disclosure of personal information from the Census, there has been swapping of records in the Census database between different geographic areas, and so some counts will be affected. In the main, the greatest effects will be at the lowest geographies, since the record swapping is targeted towards those households with unusual characteristics in small areas. Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.
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.
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This method returns Census 2021 estimates that classify households by the combination of household members speaking the same or different main languages.
This dataset classifies households by whether members speak the same or different main language. If multiple main languages are spoken, this identifies whether they differ between generations or partnerships within the household.
Multiple main languages in household is split into 6 categories including total.
The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
This provides estimates of the percentage of usual residents aged 3 and over in England and Wales by their proficiency in English. The proficiency in English classification corresponds to the tick box response options on the census questionnaire. Estimates are used to help central government, local authorities and the NHS allocate resources and provide services for non-English speakers. It also helps public service providers effectively target the delivery of their services. For example, translation and interpretation services and material in alternative languages. Statistical Disclosure Control - In order to protect against disclosure of personal information from the Census, there has been swapping of records in the Census database between different geographic areas, and so some counts will be affected. In the main, the greatest effects will be at the lowest geographies, since the record swapping is targeted towards those households with unusual characteristics in small areas. Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
The census is undertaken by the Office for National Statistics every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The most recent census took place in March of 2021.The census asks every household questions about the people who live there and the type of home they live in. In doing so, it helps to build a detailed snapshot of society. Information from the census helps the government and local authorities to plan and fund local services, such as education, doctors' surgeries and roads.Key census statistics for Leicester are published on the open data platform to make information accessible to local services, voluntary and community groups, and residents. There is also a dashboard published showcasing various datasets from the census allowing users to view data for all wards and compare this with Leicester overall statistics.Further information about the census and full datasets can be found on the ONS website - https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/aboutcensus/censusproductsProficiency in EnglishThis dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by their proficiency in English. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.Definition: How well people whose main language is not English (English or Welsh in Wales) speak English.This dataset provides details for the electoral wards of Leicester city.
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Census 2011 data showing, proportion of population (3+) who speak different languages.
The numbers of the population aged 3+ who speak specified languages as their main language at home, by local authority, region and country.
Main language from 2011 Census (detailed) - Census table QS204EW.
http://reference.data.gov.uk/id/open-government-licencehttp://reference.data.gov.uk/id/open-government-licence
Data from the 2008 Annual School Census shows for the first time the distribution of different languages spoken in London. 2008 represents the first year in which this data was available for all state schools.
Borough data (Excel)
Data for all languages above a threshold of 50 across London are presented at borough level. Numbers are rounded to ten. Percentages are rounded to 0.1.
Note: Within 'Others' there was at least one speaker from 118 different languages.
MSOA data (Excel)
Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) data is shown in the spreadsheet by the range which it belongs to in the map. Due to restrictions on use of the data, it is not possible to distribute the actual numbers (rounded or unrounded) down to MSOA level.
Data for both Borough and MSOA level are shown in the same map. To switch between the two geographies click on the 'choose geography' button at the top left of the screen.
Then choose a language under the 'most recent data' heading.
At Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) data for the main languages are best presented at using the interactive maps.
The publication of this data follows research by Institute for Education, Centre for Analysis of Social Exlusion and the London Borough of Newham. More information is on the UPTAP website.
Note: It is not possible to use the export image function on the map. This is a software issue and a solution is currently being worked on. As an interim method of copying the map image, please use the Print Screen option on your keyboard to copy an image to your clipboard.
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify households in England and Wales by whether one or multiple languages are spoken, and by tenure. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.
There is evidence of people incorrectly identifying their type of landlord as ”Council or local authority” or “Housing association”. You should add these two categories together when analysing data that uses this variable. Read more about this quality notice.
Area type
Census 2021 statistics are published for a number of different geographies. These can be large, for example the whole of England, or small, for example an output area (OA), the lowest level of geography for which statistics are produced.
For higher levels of geography, more detailed statistics can be produced. When a lower level of geography is used, such as output areas (which have a minimum of 100 persons), the statistics produced have less detail. This is to protect the confidentiality of people and ensure that individuals or their characteristics cannot be identified.
Lower tier local authorities
Lower tier local authorities provide a range of local services. There are 309 lower tier local authorities in England made up of 181 non-metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities, 36 metropolitan districts and 33 London boroughs (including City of London). In Wales there are 22 local authorities made up of 22 unitary authorities.
Coverage
Census 2021 statistics are published for the whole of England and Wales. However, you can choose to filter areas by:
Multiple main languages in household
Classifies households by whether members speak the same or different main language. If multiple main languages are spoken, this identifies whether they differ between generations or partnerships within the household.
Tenure of household
Whether a household owns or rents the accommodation that it occupies.
Owner-occupied accommodation can be:
Rented accommodation can be:
This information is not available for household spaces with no usual residents.
In 2021, most people in England and Wales who did not have English as their main language were proficient in English to some degree, with 43.9 percent advising they could speak English "very well" and a further 35.8 percent who could speak English "well".
Open Government Licence 3.0http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
License information was derived automatically
This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify Household Reference Persons aged 16 years and over in employment the week before the census in England and Wales by whether one or multiple languages are spoken in the household by occupation. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.
As Census 2021 was during a unique period of rapid change, take care when using this data for planning purposes. Read more about this quality notice.
Area type
Census 2021 statistics are published for a number of different geographies. These can be large, for example the whole of England, or small, for example an output area (OA), the lowest level of geography for which statistics are produced.
For higher levels of geography, more detailed statistics can be produced. When a lower level of geography is used, such as output areas (which have a minimum of 100 persons), the statistics produced have less detail. This is to protect the confidentiality of people and ensure that individuals or their characteristics cannot be identified.
Lower tier local authorities
Lower tier local authorities provide a range of local services. There are 309 lower tier local authorities in England made up of 181 non-metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities, 36 metropolitan districts and 33 London boroughs (including City of London). In Wales there are 22 local authorities made up of 22 unitary authorities.
Coverage
Census 2021 statistics are published for the whole of England and Wales. However, you can choose to filter areas by:
Multiple main languages in household
Classifies households by whether members speak the same or different main language. If multiple main languages are spoken, this identifies whether they differ between generations or partnerships within the household.
Occupation (current)
Classifies what people aged 16 years and over do as their main job. Their job title or details of activities they do in their job and any supervisory or management responsibilities form this classification. This information is used to code responses to an occupation using the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020.
It classifies people who were in employment between 15 March and 21 March 2021, by the SOC code that represents their current occupation.
The lowest level of detail available is the four-digit SOC code which includes all codes in three, two and one digit SOC code levels.
Hindi, with over *** million native speakers was the most spoken language across Indian homes, followed by Bengali with ** million speakers, as of 2011 census data. English native speakers accounted for about *** thousand during the measured time period. The colonial rule in India One of the most remarkable and widespread legacies that the British colonial rule left behind was the English language. Before independence, the English language was the solely used for higher education and in government and administrative processes. Post-independence, however, and till today, Hindi was claimed as the language with official government patronage. This lead to resistance from the southern states of India, where Hindi did not have prominence. Consequently, the Official Languages Act of 1963, was enacted by the parliament, which ensured the continued use of English for official purposes in conjunction with Hindi. Multi-linguistic cultures India has approximately ** major languages that are written in about ** different scripts. While the country’s official languages are both, English and Hindi, Hindi remains the most preferred language used online especially in the northern rural areas. The use of English is becoming increasingly popular in the urban areas. In addition, almost every state in India has its own official language that is studied in primary and secondary school as an obligatory second language. Among the most prominent are Bengali, Marathi, and Telugu.
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Welcome to the UK English General Conversation Speech Dataset — a rich, linguistically diverse corpus purpose-built to accelerate the development of English speech technologies. This dataset is designed to train and fine-tune ASR systems, spoken language understanding models, and generative voice AI tailored to real-world UK English communication.
Curated by FutureBeeAI, this 30 hours dataset offers unscripted, spontaneous two-speaker conversations across a wide array of real-life topics. It enables researchers, AI developers, and voice-first product teams to build robust, production-grade English speech models that understand and respond to authentic British accents and dialects.
The dataset comprises 30 hours of high-quality audio, featuring natural, free-flowing dialogue between native speakers of UK English. These sessions range from informal daily talks to deeper, topic-specific discussions, ensuring variability and context richness for diverse use cases.
The dataset spans a wide variety of everyday and domain-relevant themes. This topic diversity ensures the resulting models are adaptable to broad speech contexts.
Each audio file is paired with a human-verified, verbatim transcription available in JSON format.
These transcriptions are production-ready, enabling seamless integration into ASR model pipelines or conversational AI workflows.
The dataset comes with granular metadata for both speakers and recordings:
Such metadata helps developers fine-tune model training and supports use-case-specific filtering or demographic analysis.
This dataset is a versatile resource for multiple English speech and language AI applications:
In 2021, there were 611,845 people who spoke Polish as a main language in England and Wales, the most common non-English language among the population. This was followed by Romanian, and Panjabi, which had 471,945 speakers and 290,745 speakers respectively.