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French language knowledge in European Union

Go to: European Union · French

language knowledge /eu publishes the latest language knowledge statistics for French in European Union using European Commission data published in 2024. Compare native with foreign speakers, and compare age groups to understand whether French is gaining or losing popularity.

Ages
Speakers
20.3%
of the population in European Union speaks French in 2024 (All)
3rd
French is the 3rd language
in European Union in 2024 (All)

Knowledge by Age Cohort

Speakers
Year
All
20.3%
55+
19.7%
35-54
20.0%
15-34
21.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of people speak French in European Union?

According to European Commission Eurobarometer survey data (2024), 20.3% of the population in European Union speaks French (14.4% native speakers and 5.9% foreign speakers).

How many people in European Union speak French as a native vs foreign language?

In European Union, 14.4% of the population speaks French as a native language, and 5.9% speaks it as a foreign language.

How does French knowledge in European Union differ between age groups?

In European Union, 21.5% of 15–34 year olds speak French, compared to 19.7% of residents aged 55 and over.