* Officially: There are 20 countries where English is an official language. This means it's used in government, education, and legal proceedings. These include:
* North America: Canada, the United States, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.
* Europe: Ireland, the United Kingdom.
* Africa: Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
* Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
* Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
* De facto: There are many more countries where English is widely spoken, even if it's not officially recognized as a first language. This is due to historical reasons, such as colonialism, or due to its use in business and education. Examples include:
* South Asia: Many people in countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia speak English fluently.
* Africa: In many former British colonies, English is still used extensively.
So, to answer your question:
* 20 countries have English as an official language.
* There are many more countries where English is a commonly spoken language, even if not officially recognized as their "first" language.
It's worth noting that even within countries where English is official, there are often multiple languages spoken.