What percentage of the British speak English as a second language?

It's difficult to give a precise percentage of British people who speak English as a second language. There isn't a single, reliable source that tracks this information specifically.

Here's why:

* No Official Data: There are no official censuses or surveys that specifically ask about "second language" status.

* Definition of "Second Language": It's unclear how we define "second language." Does it include:

* People who learned English as a child in a multilingual household?

* People who immigrated to the UK and learned English as an adult?

* People with a high level of English proficiency but learned it later in life?

* Regional Variation: The percentage would likely vary significantly across different regions of the UK.

However, we can offer some estimates:

* Immigrant Population: The UK has a large and diverse immigrant population. According to the 2021 Census, 13.6% of the UK population was born outside of the UK. While not all immigrants would speak English as a second language, it's safe to assume a significant portion do.

* Multilingual Households: The UK has a growing number of multilingual households, particularly in urban areas.

In conclusion: While we don't have a definitive percentage, it's safe to say that a substantial number of British people speak English as a second language, particularly considering the country's immigrant population and growing multilingual households.