England and Wales showcase remarkable linguistic diversity. The 2021 Census reveals that 8.9% of residents – over 5 million people – speak another language other than English or Welsh as their main language. This figure represents a significant shift from the 2011 Census, where 7.7% spoke non-English languages.
The Language Landscape in 2025
The percentage of people who spoke English (English or Welsh in Wales) as their main language was higher in Wales (96.7%, 2.9 million out of 3.0 million) than it was in England (90.8%, 49.7 million out of 54.7 million). This data highlights regional variations that businesses and service providers must consider.
Net migration to the UK was 431,000 in year ending December 2024, compared with 860,000 a year earlier, suggesting continued but slowing linguistic diversification.
Top 10 Most Spoken Languages in England and Wales
Based on the 2021 Census, here are the most common languages after English:
1. Polish – 612,000 speakers (1.1%)
Polish remains the most common main language other than English, maintaining its position from 2011. The Polish community established strong roots across England and Wales, particularly in industrial areas.
2. Romanian – 472,000 speakers (0.8%)
Romanian moved into the top 10 main languages, excluding English. This was the largest increase over the decade. In total, 0.8% of people (472,000) listed Romanian as their main language, up from 0.1% (68,000) in 2011. This represents a remarkable 594% increase, reflecting significant Romanian immigration post-2011.
3. Punjabi – 291,000 speakers (0.5%)
Punjabi maintains its strong position within the top five languages, reflecting established South Asian communities across England and Wales.
4. Urdu – 270,000 speakers (0.5%)
Urdu appears as one of the most common main languages, maintaining consistent usage patterns from previous censuses.
5. Portuguese – Estimated 250,000+ speakers
Portuguese has seen steady growth, particularly in London and the South East, driven by both Brazilian and Portuguese immigration.
6. Spanish – Estimated 200,000+ speakers
Spanish continues growing due to international mobility and educational programmes.
7. Arabic – Estimated 180,000+ speakers
Arabic remains significant across various communities, including refugees and established populations.
8. Bengali – Estimated 150,000+ speakers
Bengali shows a slight decline but remains important in specific regional clusters.
9. Gujarati – Estimated 130,000+ speakers
Gujarati maintains a presence within established communities, particularly in West London.
10. Italian – Estimated 120,000+ speakers
Italian rounds out the top ten, reflecting both historical migration and recent EU mobility.
Regional Variations and Trends
Language distribution varies significantly across England and Wales. London demonstrates the highest linguistic diversity, with some boroughs having English as a minority language. Bradford, Birmingham, and Leicester show concentrated communities speaking specific languages.
The picture varies across England and Wales, with rural areas maintaining higher English-speaking percentages whilst urban centres embrace multilingualism.
Migration Patterns Shaping Language Use
The latest estimates suggest that in 2024, 948,000 people migrated into the UK and 513,000 people emigrated from it. These patterns directly influence language demographics.
Brexit’s impact appears in the data. EU migration has shifted, with Romanian speakers increasing dramatically pre-Brexit, whilst Polish numbers stabilised. Non-EU immigration has increased, bringing languages like Punjabi and Urdu to prominence.
The Welsh Language Context
In 2021, an estimated 538,000 usual residents in Wales aged three years and over (17.8%) reported being able to speak Welsh, which is a decrease since 2011 (562,000, 19.0%). This decline occurs alongside overall linguistic diversification.
Business and Service Implications
Understanding language demographics benefits businesses targeting diverse communities. Translation services see highest demand for Polish, Romanian, and South Asian languages. Healthcare providers particularly need these languages for patient communication.
Government services increasingly provide materials in top languages. Local councils prioritise translation based on their specific demographic data rather than national averages.
Technology and Language Access
Digital platforms increasingly support multilingual content. Social media, banking apps, and government websites now offer Polish, Romanian, and other major languages. This technological shift improves access for non-English speakers.
Educational Impact
Schools across England and Wales adapt to linguistic diversity. English as Additional Language (EAL) programmes support students speaking home languages from the top ten. Teacher training now emphasises multicultural communication.
Healthcare and Language Services
NHS translation services prioritise the most spoken languages. Polish interpreters see consistent demand, whilst Romanian interpreter services have expanded rapidly. South Asian languages remain crucial for healthcare access.
Future Projections
Current migration trends suggest continued diversification. Romanian may climb higher if economic migration resumes post-pandemic. Brexit’s long-term effects on Polish numbers remain uncertain.
Climate migration and global conflicts will likely introduce new languages into the top ten within the next decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polish is the most spoken foreign language, with 612,000 speakers (1.1% of the population) according to 2021 Census data.
Romanian showed the largest increase, jumping from 68,000 speakers (0.1%) in 2011 to 472,000 speakers (0.8%) in 2021 – a 594% increase.
Approximately 5 million people (8.9% of the population) speak a language other than English or Welsh as their main language.
Yes, London and other major cities show much higher linguistic diversity than rural areas. Wales has a higher percentage of English speakers (96.7%) compared to England (90.8%).
Polish, Romanian, Punjabi, and Urdu are the most requested languages for translation services, reflecting their large speaker populations.
Brexit appears to have slowed Polish migration, whilst Romanian numbers increased dramatically before Brexit. Overall, EU language speakers may stabilise whilst non-EU languages continue growing.
