Last Update: 25th of December 2024
The 2024 Duolingo Language Report is out, and it’s packed with fresh insights into how the world is learning languages. Building on the trends we covered in last year’s report, 2024 reveals exciting shifts, continued dominance by certain languages, and new innovations from Duolingo. If you enjoyed the 2023 breakdown I did last year, you might find this year’s update just as interesting. Let’s look into what’s changed—and what’s stayed the same.
📈 English’s Global Takeover Expands
Last year, we saw English as the top language in 122 countries. This year? 135 countries list English as their most studied language, an increase of over 10%. This growth reflects how English continues to dominate as the world’s lingua franca, with countries like Albania, Eritrea, Iran, Malaysia, and Mongolia making significant strides in English learning.
What’s New Since 2023?
• 2023: English led globally but was competing with languages like Spanish and French in various regions.
• 2024: English surged further ahead, solidifying its lead, even in countries that previously leaned toward local languages.
👉 Insight: English’s dominance shows no sign of slowing down, but Duolingo is adapting with advanced English courses for more experienced learners—a feature that wasn’t highlighted in 2023’s report.
🌏 East Asian Language Popularity: A Tight Race
In 2023, we noted that Japanese, Korean, and Chinese were consistently in the top 10 most studied languages globally, driven by pop culture, travel, and professional interest. This year, the trend continues but with some reshuffling:
• Italian jumped ahead of Korean, reclaiming the sixth spot.
• Chinese rose from ninth to eighth place, reflecting growing interest.
• Japanese maintained its fifth-place ranking for the third year in a row.
What’s Changed Since 2023?
• 2023: Korean surged to new heights, surpassing Italian.
• 2024: Italian fought back, pushing Korean down to seventh place.
👉 Insight: While the excitement around Korean culture (thanks to K-dramas and K-pop) remains strong, learners are rediscovering Italian, perhaps influenced by travel and cultural curiosity.
🇯🇵 Japan Overtakes Belarus in Study Time
Last year, Belarus led the world in time spent learning on Duolingo. In the 2024 Duolingo Language Report, Japan takes the crown, reflecting a national focus on education and self-improvement.
What’s Different from 2023?
• 2023: Belarus was the leader, with Japan ranking high but not at the top.
• 2024: Japan’s shift into first place signals growing dedication to language learning across Asia.
👉 Insight: Japan’s rise highlights the increasing importance of language learning for both professional and personal growth in the region.
🇫🇮 Finland Returns as the Polyglot Champion
Finland reclaimed its title as the country with the highest percentage of learners studying three or more languages. This comes after Germany took the lead in 2023.
Comparison to 2023:
• 2023: Germany led the way, with Finland close behind.
• 2024: Finland is back on top, followed by the UK, Estonia, and Germany, suggesting that Nordic and Baltic countries continue to champion multilingualism.
👉 Insight: The race for polyglot status shifts yearly, but Finland’s return to the top signals consistent enthusiasm for diverse language learning.
🎮 Learning for Fun Still a Driving Force
A key takeaway from 2023’s report was how entertainment, travel, and pop culture drive language learning. This year reinforces that trend:
• In China, 32% of learners study Japanese for fun—up from 28% in 2023.
• In Japan, 29% of learners study Korean out of personal interest.
• Argentina saw Portuguese overtake Italian as the second most popular language, driven by travel interests.
How This Compares to 2023:
• 2023: Pop culture heavily influenced learners in East Asia, with Korean leading the charge.
• 2024: Japanese continues to dominate in China, reflecting sustained interest in anime and J-culture.
👉 Insight: Entertainment-driven learning isn’t slowing down. In fact, more learners are motivated by fun than ever before.
🏫 Duolingo English Test (DET): Rapid Expansion
In 2023, we highlighted the growing popularity of the Duolingo English Test (DET), especially as an affordable alternative to traditional exams. This year, the DET hit a new milestone—accepted by over 5,500 programs globally, doubling since 2020.
What’s New Since 2023?
• 2023: DET was already expanding but had fewer than 5,000 programs onboard.
• 2024: DET acceptance skyrocketed, driven by remote accessibility and reduced costs.
New features introduced this year include:
• Interactive writing tasks using AI.
• Individual Subscores for more detailed feedback.
• A two-camera security system to prevent cheating.
👉 Insight: DET continues to disrupt traditional testing, making language certification more equitable and accessible.
🌍 Addressing Global Educational Inequality
Duolingo’s commitment to refugee education and equity was highlighted last year, and 2024 brings further progress. The company continues to support the UNHCR’s 15by30 pledge to increase refugee enrollment in higher education.
Comparing 2023 and 2024:
• 2023: Early involvement in refugee programs.
• 2024: Expanded workshops, including a refugee education initiative in Uganda, and continued engagement in immigration summits globally.
👉 Insight: Duolingo’s role in addressing educational inequality is growing, making it not just a language learning app, but a social impact leader.
🇩🇰 Trends in Denmark
In 2024, Denmark continues to reflect strong multilingual trends, with English, German, and Spanish remaining popular choices among Duolingo learners. While English dominates as the most studied language, German consistently ranks as a top choice, driven by Denmark’s close economic ties and geographical proximity to Germany.
Interestingly, Spanish is gaining traction among Danes, likely fueled by a combination of travel, cultural curiosity, and the global reach of Spanish-language media. This mirrors a broader Scandinavian trend, where practical language acquisition aligns with both professional needs and personal interests.
As a Danish translator and localization expert, I see these trends play out not just in app data but in daily life. Danes’ enthusiasm for language learning reflects our collective focus on cross-border collaboration and cultural exploration. Whether for work, study, or leisure, the desire to engage with the world through multiple languages continues to shape Denmark’s evolving linguistic landscape.
The country’s commitment to multilingual education ensures that Danes stay well-equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected world – an advantage I regularly witness when working on localization projects and bridging languages across various sectors.
🚀 Final Thoughts
The 2024 Duolingo Language Report reflects growth, innovation, and a stronger focus on accessibility. Compared to last year, we’re seeing English’s dominance expand, East Asian languages jockey for position, and the DET gain ground globally.
As language learning evolves, one thing remains clear – Duolingo is shaping the future of global education.
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