List Of Countries And Territories Where English Is An Official Language

As of 2020^[update], there were 58 sovereign states and 28 non-sovereign entities where English was an official language.^{[citation needed]} Many administrative divisions have declared English an official language at the local or regional level.

Most states where English is an official language are former territories of the British Empire. Exceptions include Rwanda and Burundi, which were formerly German and then Belgian colonies; Cameroon, where only part of national territory was under British mandate; and Liberia, the Philippines, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, which were American territories. English is the sole official language of the Commonwealth of Nations and of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). English is one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Caribbean Community, the Union of South American Nations, and many other international organisations. Although English is not de jure an official language at the national level in the United States, most states and territories within the United States have English as an official language, and only Puerto Rico uses a language other than English as a primary working language.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, where the overwhelming majority of native English speakers reside, do not have English as an official language de jure, but English is considered their de facto official language because it dominates in these countries.^{[citation needed]}

English is a de jure official language

English is a predominant language

In these countries, English is conventionally spoken by both the government and main population, despite it having no de jure official status at national level.

English is a de facto working language

In these countries, English is spoken in government or education, but it is not recognised as de jure official, nor a primary language spoken by the main population

English is a de jure official language

English is a de facto official language

English is a de facto official, but not a primary language

In these country subdivisions, English has de jure official status, but English is not official in their respective countries at the national level.

• English-only movement
• Anglo-America
• Commonwealth of Nations
  • Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations
• British Overseas Territories
• English-speaking world
• List of countries by English-speaking population
• List of languages by total number of speakers
• British Empire