Determining the exact number of English speakers in any given country can be difficult due to factors such as the level of proficiency considered, whether the language is spoken as a first or second language, and differences in data collection methods. However, as of my last training data cut-off in September 2021, the following countries in Asia are often cited as having a large number of English speakers:
- India: English is one of the official languages of India, and a significant number of people speak English as a second language. In fact, India has one of the largest populations of English speakers in the world.
- Philippines: English is an official language in the Philippines and is widely taught in schools. It’s used in government, law, print and broadcast media, and business.
- Pakistan: English is one of the official languages of Pakistan and is widely used in government, courts, media, and educational institutions.
- Malaysia: English is widely spoken, particularly in business and urban areas. It’s taught in schools, and proficiency is generally high.
It’s important to note that the prevalence of English speakers doesn’t necessarily correlate with population size. For example, while China has a large population and a growing number of English learners, the percentage of the population that speaks English fluently is lower compared to some other Asian countries.
Please consult more recent sources for the most up-to-date information, as these trends can change over time due to factors such as changes in education policy and population shifts.