In a multicultural landscape like the United Kingdom, linguistic diversity is becoming increasingly evident. While English remains the dominant language, the 2021 Census sheds light on the growing popularity of foreign languages, with some surprising shifts in the rankings.
According to the 2021 Census conducted in England and Wales, 91.1 percent of residents indicated English (or Welsh in Wales) as their primary language. However, the focus shifts when it comes to foreign languages, with Polish maintaining its reign as the most commonly spoken non-native language, claiming the top spot for 1.1 percent of the population.
The most notable change in the linguistic landscape is the meteoric rise of Romanian.
In just a decade, Romanian has surged up the ranks, securing the second spot in 2021, marking a significant jump of 17 places since the previous census in 2011.
This surge in Romanian speakers has been accompanied by a noticeable spike in demand for Romanian translation services, according to translation agencies.
Punjabi and Urdu continue to hold strong positions in the top five most spoken foreign languages, emphasising the continued influence of South Asian languages in the UK.
However, Bengali and Gujarati have experienced a slight decline in popularity.
One language that has witnessed a noteworthy ascent is Portuguese, now comfortably seated at the fifth position. This upward trend suggests a growing Portuguese-speaking community in the UK.
This linguistic shift underscores the dynamic nature of the UK’s cultural tapestry, highlighting the evolving preferences and demographics of its diverse population. As these trends continue, businesses and services are likely to adapt to better serve the linguistic needs of the community, making language an integral aspect of the country’s social fabric.
Top 10 most common foreign languages in the UK:
- Polish
- Romanian
- Punjabi
- Urdu
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- Arabic
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Italian
