Language Learning Statistics 2026: 35+ Facts on ESL, Apps & Market Growth
Comprehensive language learning statistics for 2026 including ESL enrollment data, language app market size, Duolingo user metrics, and global language education trends.
Key Statistics 2026
The global language learning market reached $122 billion in 2024, with Duolingo leading at 116.7 million monthly active users
- $122B global language learning market (2024)
- 116.7M Duolingo monthly active users
- 5.3M ELL students in U.S. public schools
- 1.5B people learning English worldwide
The global language learning market was valued at $122 billion in 2024
See more key statistics below
The language learning market is projected to reach $337 billion by 2032
Grand View Research, 2024
Duolingo has 116.7 million monthly active users
Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings, 2025
5.3 million English Language Learners are enrolled in U.S. public schools
National Center for Education Statistics, 2024
Key Findings at a Glance
Summary of the most important statistics
| Metric | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Market Size | $122B | 2024 | Grand View Research |
| Market Projection (2032) | $337B | 2024–2032 | Grand View Research |
| Behavior | 116.7M | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
| Demographics | 5.3M | 2024 | National Center for Education Statistics |
| Demographics | 1.5B | 2024 | British Council |
| Behavior | 38% | 2024 | Preply Language Learning Report |
All statistics independently verified. See methodology for details.
Key Language Learning Statistics
The most important statistics you need to know about the tutoring industry.
The global language learning market was valued at $122 billion in 2024
The language learning market is projected to reach $337 billion by 2032
2024 → 2032 projection
Duolingo has 116.7 million monthly active users
5.3 million English Language Learners are enrolled in U.S. public schools
38% of serious language learners supplement apps with human tutors
Language Learning Market Size & Growth
Global and regional market data for the language learning industry.
The global language learning market was valued at $122 billion in 2024
The language learning market is projected to reach $337 billion by 2032
2024 → 2032 projection
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
The digital language learning market size reached $76.5 billion in 2024 | $76.5B | 2024 | Statista |
The U.S. ESL market is valued at $3.2 billion annually | $3.2B | 2024 | IBISWorld |
Corporate language training represents $18.4 billion of the global market | $18.4B | 2024 | Research and Markets |
Corporate language training represents $18.4 billion of the global market
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Language Learning Apps & Platforms
User statistics and metrics for major language learning platforms.
Duolingo has 116.7 million monthly active users
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Duolingo averages 37.2 million daily active users | 37.2M | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Duolingo has 9.1 million paid subscribers | 9.1M | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Duolingo generated $748 million in revenue in 2024 | $748M | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Babbel has over 10 million active subscribers worldwide | 10M+ | 2024 | Babbel Company Data |
All statistics are verified from original sources.
ESL & English Language Learners
Statistics on ELL programs, enrollment, and teacher supply in the United States.
5.3 million English Language Learners are enrolled in U.S. public schools
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
ELL enrollment in U.S. schools has increased 28% over the past decade | 28% | 2024 | National Center for Education Statistics |
32% of schools report difficulty filling ESL teacher positions | 32% | 2024 | U.S. Department of Education |
1.6 million adults are enrolled in adult ESL programs in the U.S. | 1.6M | 2024 | American Institutes for Research |
ELL enrollment in U.S. schools has increased 28% over the past decade
1.6 million adults are enrolled in adult ESL programs in the U.S.
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Global Language Learner Demographics
Worldwide statistics on language learners by target language.
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
22 million people are learning Spanish as a foreign language | 22M | 2024 | Instituto Cervantes |
40 million people are studying Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language | 40M | 2024 | Confucius Institute |
120 million people are currently studying French | 120M | 2024 | Organisation internationale de la Francophonie |
120 million people are currently studying French
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Language Learning Behavior & Habits
How people learn languages: study time, platform preferences, and tutoring habits.
38% of serious language learners supplement apps with human tutors
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
72% of language learners prefer mobile apps for study | 72% | 2024 | Research and Markets |
45% of online language learners have used AI-powered conversation tutors | 45% | 2024 | Duolingo Research |
Language app users study an average of 17 minutes per day | 17 min | 2024 | Duolingo Efficacy Study |
Only 8% of language app users complete a full course | 8% | 2024 | EdSurge Research |
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Regional Language Learning Patterns
Language learning market share and proficiency rates by global region.
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Asia-Pacific represents 45% of the global language learning market | 45% | 2024 | Grand View Research |
65% of European Union citizens speak at least one foreign language | 65% | 2024 | European Commission |
Only 22% of Americans speak a language other than English | 22% | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau |
Only 12% of Latin Americans speak English proficiently | 12% | 2024 | EF English Proficiency Index |
All statistics are verified from original sources.
K-12 Language Education
Statistics on foreign language instruction in American schools.
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Only 20% of U.S. K-12 students study a foreign language | 20% | 2024 | American Councils for International Education |
Spanish is studied by 70% of U.S. K-12 language students | 70% | 2024 | Modern Language Association |
Dual language immersion programs have grown 250% in the past decade | 250% | 2024 | Center for Applied Linguistics |
Only 20% of U.S. K-12 students study a foreign language
Dual language immersion programs have grown 250% in the past decade
All statistics are verified from original sources.
All 35 Statistics
Complete list of verified statistics with sources.
| Statistic | Value | Category | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The global language learning market was valued at $122 billion in 2024 | $122B | Market Size | 2024 | Grand View Research |
The language learning market is projected to reach $337 billion by 2032 | $337B | Growth | 2024→ 2032 | Grand View Research |
The digital language learning market size reached $76.5 billion in 2024 | $76.5B | Market Size | 2024 | Statista |
The U.S. ESL market is valued at $3.2 billion annually | $3.2B | Market Size | 2024 | IBISWorld |
Corporate language training represents $18.4 billion of the global market | $18.4B | Market Size | 2024 | Research and Markets |
Duolingo has 116.7 million monthly active users | 116.7M | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Duolingo averages 37.2 million daily active users | 37.2M | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Duolingo has 9.1 million paid subscribers | 9.1M | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Duolingo generated $748 million in revenue in 2024 | $748M | Market Size | 2024 | Duolingo Q4 2024 Earnings |
Babbel has over 10 million active subscribers worldwide | 10M+ | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Babbel Company Data |
5.3 million English Language Learners are enrolled in U.S. public schools | 5.3M | Demographics | 2024 | National Center for Education Statistics |
ELL enrollment in U.S. schools has increased 28% over the past decade | 28% | Growth | 2024 | National Center for Education Statistics |
32% of schools report difficulty filling ESL teacher positions | 32% | Operations | 2024 | U.S. Department of Education |
1.6 million adults are enrolled in adult ESL programs in the U.S. | 1.6M | Demographics | 2024 | American Institutes for Research |
1.5 billion people are learning English worldwide | 1.5B | Demographics | 2024 | British Council |
22 million people are learning Spanish as a foreign language | 22M | Demographics | 2024 | Instituto Cervantes |
40 million people are studying Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language | 40M | Demographics | 2024 | Confucius Institute |
120 million people are currently studying French | 120M | Demographics | 2024 | Organisation internationale de la Francophonie |
72% of language learners prefer mobile apps for study | 72% | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Research and Markets |
45% of online language learners have used AI-powered conversation tutors | 45% | Technology | 2024 | Duolingo Research |
Language app users study an average of 17 minutes per day | 17 min | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Duolingo Efficacy Study |
Only 8% of language app users complete a full course | 8% | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | EdSurge Research |
38% of serious language learners supplement apps with human tutors | 38% | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Preply Language Learning Report |
Students with human tutors progress 2.4x faster than app-only learners | 2.4× | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Journal of Language Teaching |
Reaching B2 proficiency in Spanish takes approximately 480 hours of study | 480 hrs | Operations | 2024 | Foreign Service Institute |
Immersion programs are 5x more effective than traditional classroom instruction | 5× | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages |
Asia-Pacific represents 45% of the global language learning market | 45% | Regional | 2024 | Grand View Research |
65% of European Union citizens speak at least one foreign language | 65% | Regional | 2024 | European Commission |
Only 22% of Americans speak a language other than English | 22% | Regional | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau |
Only 12% of Latin Americans speak English proficiently | 12% | Regional | 2024 | EF English Proficiency Index |
Only 20% of U.S. K-12 students study a foreign language | 20% | Demographics | 2024 | American Councils for International Education |
Spanish is studied by 70% of U.S. K-12 language students | 70% | Demographics | 2024 | Modern Language Association |
Dual language immersion programs have grown 250% in the past decade | 250% | Growth | 2024 | Center for Applied Linguistics |
AI translation tools achieve 95% accuracy for common language pairs | 95% | Technology | 2024 | Google AI Research |
85% of language learning apps now include speech recognition | 85% | Technology | 2024 | TechCrunch |
The global language learning market was valued at $122 billion in 2024
The language learning market is projected to reach $337 billion by 2032
The digital language learning market size reached $76.5 billion in 2024
Corporate language training represents $18.4 billion of the global market
Duolingo averages 37.2 million daily active users
5.3 million English Language Learners are enrolled in U.S. public schools
ELL enrollment in U.S. schools has increased 28% over the past decade
32% of schools report difficulty filling ESL teacher positions
1.6 million adults are enrolled in adult ESL programs in the U.S.
40 million people are studying Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language
120 million people are currently studying French
45% of online language learners have used AI-powered conversation tutors
Language app users study an average of 17 minutes per day
38% of serious language learners supplement apps with human tutors
Students with human tutors progress 2.4x faster than app-only learners
Reaching B2 proficiency in Spanish takes approximately 480 hours of study
Immersion programs are 5x more effective than traditional classroom instruction
Asia-Pacific represents 45% of the global language learning market
65% of European Union citizens speak at least one foreign language
Only 20% of U.S. K-12 students study a foreign language
Spanish is studied by 70% of U.S. K-12 language students
Dual language immersion programs have grown 250% in the past decade
AI translation tools achieve 95% accuracy for common language pairs
All statistics are verified from original sources. Last updated February 2026.
How We Compiled These Statistics
Our research team curates and verifies statistics from authoritative sources to provide accurate, up-to-date data. Every statistic includes its original source for verification.
35 Statistics
From 28 authoritative sources
Quarterly Updates
Updated Feb 5, 2026
Source Verified
Every stat linked to original
Expert Review
Peer-reviewed before publish
Lead Research Analyst, Tutorbase Research
Amy Ashford leads market research at Tutorbase Research, specializing in education technology and tutoring industry analysis. Her methodology combines data from recognized market research firms, government publications, and peer-reviewed academic sources.
Data Sources
Published: February 1, 2026
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Next review: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about language learning and this data.
The global language learning market was valued at $122 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $337 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%. Digital learning platforms account for over 62% of this market.
Duolingo has 116.7 million monthly active users and 37.2 million daily active users as of Q4 2024. The platform has 9.1 million paid subscribers and generated $748 million in revenue in 2024.
5.3 million English Language Learners (ELLs) are enrolled in U.S. public schools, representing 10.6% of total K-12 enrollment. Spanish speakers comprise approximately 75% of the ELL population.
Approximately 1.5 billion people are learning English worldwide, making it the most studied foreign language globally. Demand is driven by business, education, entertainment, and international communication.
Research shows that language learning apps can build foundational vocabulary and grammar, but only 8% of users complete full courses. Students who supplement apps with human tutors progress 2.4 times faster than app-only learners.
The Foreign Service Institute estimates 480 hours to reach B2 proficiency in Spanish for English speakers, and 2,200+ hours for languages like Mandarin or Arabic. Immersion programs can be 5 times more effective than traditional classroom instruction.
Only 22% of Americans speak a language other than English, compared to 65% of EU citizens who speak at least one foreign language. Only 20% of U.S. K-12 students study a foreign language.
Spanish is by far the most studied language in the U.S., with 70% of K-12 language students choosing Spanish. French (12%), German (4%), and Mandarin (3%) follow at much lower rates.
Yes, 32% of schools report difficulty filling ESL teacher positions. Teacher shortages in ESL are more severe than in general education, creating demand for tutoring and supplemental services.
AI is transforming language learning through conversation tutors (used by 45% of online learners), speech recognition (in 85% of apps), and translation tools (95% accurate for common language pairs).
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