Union Jack and Belgian flags in a person’s hand on a blue background.
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It’s official – English is now the number one language spoken by young Belgians, leaving the country’s official languages, Dutch and French, eating its linguistic dust.
According to new figures, over six in ten (60.5%) Belgians aged 15 to 34 claim to have a ‘good to very good’ knowledge of English. That’s more than both Dutch (57.1%) and French (56.3%), a dramatic shift in the country’s linguistic landscape.
The rise and rise of English
“This surge of English across generations and borders is pretty striking,” said Jonathan Van Parys, the brainy data cruncher behind the stats, speaking to The Brussels Times. “It’s on track to become Belgium’s most widely-spoken language.”
That’s not just a bit of hyperbole – Belgium is now the only country in Europe where the most spoken language among young people is not an official language. Across all age groups, nearly half (49%) of Belgians can now hold a solid conversation in English.
In Brussels, where the EU’s movers and shakers rub shoulders, the shift has sparked fresh debate: should English become an official language? Many residents of the ‘capital of Europe’ struggle with both Dutch and French, making English the natural go-to for everyday life.
A generational language leap
It’s not just a slow creep – younger generations have embraced English at an unprecedented rate. A look at older groups shows a stark contrast:
- 35-54 year olds: French still reigns supreme (72.8%), with Dutch in second (52.6%).
- Over-55s: The traditional language divide still holds – 67.6% speak French, while 64.8% speak Dutch.
So, what’s behind this rapid English evolution? “I’d say exposure to English-speaking pop culture and social media plays a massive role,” said Van Parys. It’s the language of TikTok, YouTube, Netflix, and global gaming – and Belgian youth are lapping it all up.
Brexit blues? Not for English speakers!
It’s not just Belgium feeling the English boom. Despite Brexit booting the UK out of the EU, English has held firm across the continent. In fact, young Europeans have more than made up for the loss of the UK’s native speakers.
Back in 2012, 39% of the EU population said they spoke English. By 2024, this had dipped slightly to 35.5%, but Van Parys says there’s a hidden twist: “Brexit wiped out some 60 million English speakers from EU stats – yet English among the youth has nearly doubled, almost compensating for an entire country dropping off the charts.”
So, whether you like it or not, the English invasion is well and truly underway in Belgium – and beyond. Is this good? Is it a bit sad? Either way, it might be time to brush up on your ‘bad English’, as former European Green Deal bigwig Frans Timmermans put it. The EU might not have the UK anymore, but it’s clear that English is still top of the chats.
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