* Defining "European": There's no strict definition of who counts as "European." Do we include people born in Europe who now live elsewhere? What about people with European ancestry but born outside Europe?
* Defining "Second Language": What counts as a second language? Does it have to be spoken fluently? Does it include languages learned at school but not used in daily life?
* Data Availability: While there are some surveys and estimates, there's no comprehensive global database tracking language proficiency for everyone with European heritage.
However, we can make some observations:
* High Rates in Europe: Europeans tend to have higher rates of multilingualism compared to many other regions. This is due to historical factors, proximity to other languages, and educational systems.
* Migration: Many Europeans have migrated to other continents, bringing their native languages with them. This contributes to the number of Europeans speaking a second language globally.
* Language Learning: Learning foreign languages is common in Europe, further increasing the potential number of Europeans speaking a second language.
Instead of a specific number, think of it this way: A significant portion of the European population likely speaks at least one language besides their native tongue.
If you're interested in specific data, you could look for surveys or research studies focusing on multilingualism in specific European countries or regions.