{"id":1218,"date":"2024-03-12T12:39:05","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T12:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehistoryofenglish.com\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2024-03-12T12:39:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T12:39:08","slug":"how-many-people-in-norway-speak-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehistoryofenglish.com\/how-many-people-in-norway-speak-english","title":{"rendered":"How Many People in Norway Speak English?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Norway is a small Scandinavian country with a great reputation. Year after year, Norway consistently stands out as one of the richest, happiest, and most egalitarian countries in the world. Unsurprisingly, Norwegians are also known as some of the best English language speakers, a fact often attributed to Norway’s high standard of education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"90%
90% of Norway’s population speaks English as a second language<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to 2022 estimates, up to 90% of Norway\u2019s population speaks English at least at a basic level. Moreover, according to English proficiency test scores, Norway ranks #5 globally for its high English fluency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we don\u2019t know the exact number of English speakers in Norway, most estimates are impressive. Data from 2013 put the total number of English speakers at around 4.5 million, 88% of the population at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we go by the 90% estimate in 2022, while accounting for the population increase from 2013 to 2022, the total number of English speakers in Norway today is likely around 4.9 million. It\u2019s safe to assume that the average person in Norway speaks English at least at a basic level, though many likely speak English fluently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curious to find out more about English in Norway? Keep reading to learn about Norway\u2019s linguistic culture and demographics!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number of English Speakers in Norway (General Stats)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Norwegians are often said to be among the best English speakers in the world. This is likely more than just a stereotype. Here are the stats to prove it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. According to 2022 estimates, roughly 90% of the population (4.9 million people)<\/strong> in Norway speaks English.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Norway is #5 in the world<\/strong> for its total percentage of the population speaking English<\/strong> as a second language.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. In Europe<\/strong>, Norway is 2<\/strong>nd<\/sup><\/strong> only to the Netherlands for its relative population of English-speaking people.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. By total numbers<\/strong>, due to Norway\u2019s small population, the country ranks #39 in the world<\/strong> and #17 among European countries<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. The 2023 English Proficiency Index (EPI) ranks Norway as #5 in the world for English skills<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. The same EPI data makes Norway #4 in Europe for English proficiency<\/strong>, just 1 point behind its neighbor Denmark.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Norway\u2019s average EPI score <\/strong>in 2023 was 614<\/strong>, the equivalent of a C1 (advanced) level in the CEFR ranking system.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Nord-Norge<\/strong> is Norway\u2019s region with the highest English proficiency scores.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  1. Oslo<\/strong> is the city with the best English speakers on average, having an EPI score of 629.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    1. On average, people in the 21-25 years age<\/strong> group have the best English skills<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      1. English is a mandatory subject in the Norwegian <\/strong>curriculum starting in the first grade of elementary school, roughly at age 6<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                          \n
                        1. English is the second most common language<\/strong> spoken in Norway besides the local language.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                          According to these numbers, roughly 9 in 10 Norwegian people speak English, a rate similar to other Scandinavian countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \"English
                          English Proficiency of Scandinavian Countries in 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                          Norway has an average proficiency level of C1 on the CEFR scale, a language level which implies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n