Foreign languages among Europeans lower than expected

It seems the idea that the majority of Europeans have the ability to speak multiple languages is a myth. Perhaps still more than in other parts of the world, a new study reveals that among the 28 EU member states one in four Europeans say they never bothered to learn a second language. Three out of four with foreign language skills is still not bad, but another 44% say they have no intention to improve their language skills.

Although not the most multilingual in Europe, Belgium finished high on the list with 72 percent of citizens able to converse in another language. Luxemburg took top honours with 98%.

Refusal to learn foreign languages does not appear to be determined by region, as Hungary sits at the bottom with 65% without a second language, followed by Italy (38%) and the UK (39%) to name only a few.

Both the Irish and the British have it easy as the two countries most welcomed in their own language in the rest of Europe, making the need of languages skills low on the list of priorities.