India is home to over 1.4 billion people and more than 1,600 languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Among these languages, English holds a unique position — not as the most spoken mother tongue, but as a vital bridge for communication across states, industries, and even international borders. In 2025, English continues to shape India’s education system, job market, and digital culture, while evolving into unique blends like Hinglish.
Whether it’s a corporate meeting in Mumbai, a university lecture in Delhi, or a startup pitch in Bengaluru, English remains a powerful tool for economic and social mobility. But how many people in India actually speak English in 2025? And how proficient are they? This blog dives into the latest statistics, trends, and regional variations to reveal the real picture behind India’s English-speaking population in 2025.
- Official Languages and Role of English in India
- Estimated Number of English Speakers in India (2025)
- Number of English Speakers: Global Comparison
- Influencing Factors and Trends
- Try India English Accent Neutralization – Utell AI
- FAQs
Official Languages and Role of English in India
You may ask how many people in India speak English and why it is important. In 2025, around 265 million people in India use English. This is almost 19% of everyone in the country. Most people use English as their second language. Only about 4% of people speak English very well. The rest use English for simple talks, work, or school.
India has many official languages. Hindi is the main official language. English is also an official language. The Constitution lists 22 scheduled languages too. You can see this in the table below:
| Language | Status |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Official Language |
| English | Additional Official Language |
| 22 Scheduled Languages | Recognized under the Eighth Schedule |
People use English in many parts of life. The government uses English to work with other countries and make rules. Schools teach English so students can learn more about the world. Businesses use English to talk to other countries and bring in money. Here is a table that shows how English is used in different areas:
| Sector | Role of English |
|---|---|
| Government | Helps with working with other countries and making rules. |
| Education | Makes learning better and helps students learn about the world. |
| Business | Needed to work with other countries and bring in money. |
Most English speakers in India live in cities or have more education. Many people use English as their second language. You might use English at school, at your job, or on the internet. The number of people who speak English keeps going up because more people want good jobs and better schooling.
Here is a quick list to help you see the number of English speakers in India in 2025:
- Total English speakers: 265 million
- Percentage of population: 19%
- Fluent speakers: About 4%
- Most use English as a second language
You can also see how the government and schools help English grow:
- Lowering GST on education
- Closing the skill gap
- Growing job training programs
- Making digital tools better
- Putting money into new ideas
- Training teachers better
- Changing colleges and research
India has the most English speakers in the world. Most people use English as their second language. English speakers come from many different groups. Only a small group speaks English very well. The number of English speakers will likely keep going up as English becomes more important for jobs and learning.
Estimated Number of English Speakers in India (2025)
There are big differences in how many people speak English in India. Most people who speak English live in cities. Mumbai has the most English speakers. It even has more than any city in the UK. Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai also have many English speakers. These cities have lots of people who use English every day.
- Mumbai has the most English speakers.
- Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai also have many.
- Smaller cities and towns have fewer English speakers.
- Rural areas have the least English speakers.
Cities have more English speakers than villages. People in cities go to better schools. They use English at work and on the internet. In rural places, schools do not always have good English teachers. They also do not have enough books or computers. This makes it hard for students to learn English well.
Note: How good English classes are depends on school money. Rural public schools often do not have good teachers or tools. Money problems make a big gap between city and village students.
| Socioeconomic Factor | Impact on English Learning |
|---|---|
| School Funding | Schools with more money have better English classes. |
| Family Income | Richer families can pay for private lessons or better schools. |
| Access to Resources | City students have more books, internet, and English media. |
| Barriers | Many rural and poor students have trouble learning English. |
Age and education also matter for English use. Young people and college students use English more than older people. Many jobs now want workers who know English. So, students try hard to learn it. Still, there is a big gap in who speaks English well. Most fluent speakers come from richer families. For many people, English is still a second language for school, work, or travel.
Number of English Speakers: Global Comparison
India vs. Other Countries
You might wonder how the number of English speakers in India compares to other countries. India has a huge English speaking population. In 2025, you see about 265 million English speakers in India. This makes India the second-largest group of English speakers in the world. The United States has the most, with almost 299 million people who speak English. The United Kingdom comes next, with over 63 million English speakers. The table below helps you see the difference:
| Country | Total English speakers |
|---|---|
| United States | 299,270,000 |
| India | 228,539,090 |
| United Kingdom | 63,718,834 |
You notice that the number of speakers in India is much higher than in most other countries. Most English speakers in India use English as a second language. In the United States and United Kingdom, people often use English as their first language.
Tip: The large english speaking population in India helps you connect with people from many countries. You can use English for travel, work, and learning.
Global Ranking
India stands out when you look at the global ranking of English speakers. You find India in the top five countries by number of speakers. Here is a list to show you the ranking:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
- India
India holds about 9% of the global english speaking population. This means you see more english speakers in India than in Australia or Canada. The number of speakers in India keeps growing every year. You see english speakers in India in schools, offices, and online spaces. The english speaking population in India helps the country play a big role in global business and education.
- India has the second-largest group of english speakers in the world.
- You find about 9% of all english speakers worldwide in India.
- The number of speakers in India keeps rising as more people learn English.
Influencing Factors and Trends
Education and Policy
The Indian government is making big changes to help students learn English. The National Education Policy 2020 wants students to know more than one language. It also wants students to get better at English. Many schools now teach English from the early grades. This helps students get ready for jobs and college. The policy supports both English and local languages. This means students can learn in a way that matches their background. More english medium schools are opening in cities and towns. These schools help students get better at English.
- The National Education Policy 2020 helps students learn English.
- The Digital India campaign lets students learn English online.
- The Skill India initiative teaches English for jobs.
Some students have problems learning English in school. Many students in government schools find reading and writing English hard. Private schools have better books and teachers. In rural areas, there are not enough books or good teachers. Students in villages need more help to catch up with city students in English.
Urbanization and Economy
Cities give students more ways to learn and use English. Urban areas have better schools and more internet. There are also more jobs that need English. If you live in a city, you can go to english medium schools. You can also use English every day. The middle class in India thinks English is important for good jobs. People with strong English skills can earn much more money. English as a second language helps people work with global companies. It also helps people have a better life.
English proficiency index scores are higher in cities than in villages. More people use English for work, school, and talking online.
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Socioeconomic Disparities | Poverty makes it hard for some students to learn English, especially in villages. |
| Urbanization | Fewer cities mean fewer chances to learn English and get resources. |
| Language Competition | People without English skills may have trouble finding good jobs. |
Future Projections
More people will learn English in the next ten years. The number of people who are very good at English will be four times bigger. The middle class will grow a lot by 2030. This means more students will want better schools and English skills. More people will use English for work and travel. Cheap smartphones and fast internet make it easy to learn English online. Students will see English everywhere, like on social media and in job interviews.
- The middle class will want more English education.
- More people will use English online for searches and chats.
- English as a second language will be even more common.
Students in villages or poor families may still have problems. They need better teachers and more books to get better at English. More money for schools and teacher training will help students learn English well.
Try India English Accent Neutralization – Utell AI
Many people in India speak English as their second language. Sometimes, your accent can make it hard for others to understand you. This is true when you talk to people from other countries. In 2025, many companies in India use accent neutralization tools. These tools help you sound clearer when you speak English. Utell AI is a popular tool for this.
Accent neutralization technology changes your accent as you talk. This helps native English speakers understand you better. Companies like Teleperformance use AI systems to help call center workers. These tools can make your accent softer and friendlier. They also help make customers happier. You can see what different sources say about these tools in the table below:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Bloomberg | Teleperformance puts money into Sanas AI to make customers happier and help them talk better. |
| Teleperformance | The technology changes Indian accents right away, so talks are easier to follow. |
| Investing.com | Some investors worry about whether it is right to change accents with technology. |
Accent neutralization tools are now used a lot in call centers. Many companies want their workers to speak more clearly to people in other countries. This shows that technology is changing customer service in India.
- Teleperformance uses AI to make Indian accents softer and easier to understand.
- The technology helps you build trust and finish calls faster.
- Krisp is another tool that blocks noise and helps with accent neutralization.
- Utell AI works on many platforms, but Krisp has more features.
Tip: If you work in a call center or talk to people from other countries, using accent neutralization tools like Utell AI can help you talk better and feel more sure of yourself.
In 2025, about 265 million people in India speak English. Only a few people speak English very well. English is an official language in India. It is important for business and school.
- Many people in cities and rich families use English daily.
- English helps people get good jobs and work with other countries.
- Hinglish is growing, showing how cultures mix together.
- Good English skills help India work with the world and grow its economy.
- Now, English gives people chances for the future, not just because of the past.
FAQs
How many people in India speak English fluently in 2025?
You see about 11 million people in India who speak English fluently. This is around 4% of all English speakers. Most people use English as a second language for work or school.
Where do most English speakers in India live?
You find most English speakers in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Urban areas have better schools and more jobs that need English. Rural areas have fewer English speakers.
Why do people in India learn English?
You learn English to get better jobs, study at good schools, and talk to people from other countries. English helps you use the internet, travel, and work with global companies.
Is English an official language in India?
You see English as an additional official language in India. The government uses English for laws, business, and international work. Hindi is the main official language.
What is Hinglish?
You hear Hinglish when people mix Hindi and English in daily talk. You use Hinglish with friends, online, or in movies. It shows how cultures blend in India.
