With a population of around 4 million and an area of ​​56,594 km2, Croatia consistently outranks much larger and more economically developed countries.

Bilingualism, even multilingualism, is common in Croatian society. A recent poll found that 80% of Croatians are multilingual, with 81% of them speaking English, according to the Rewind Dubovnik Foundation.

Up to 95% of people aged 15-34 speak at least one foreign language, with English being the most popular foreign language.

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About 80% of Croatians are multilingual, of which 81% speak English.

According to the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2023, Croatia ranks 11th in the world with 603 points and is rated as "very high proficiency".

Factors such as culture, education system and socio-economic dynamics have converged to create a country where multilingualism is the norm and English proficiency is an important common asset.

Early language education

One of the main factors contributing to Croatia's high English proficiency is the introduction of language education into schools early.

The teaching of foreign languages ​​in Croatia is regulated by the Primary and Secondary Education Act (2008). Accordingly, the curriculum stipulates that the first foreign language is compulsory from grade 1 of primary school, while the second foreign language can be studied as an elective subject from grade 4.

According to the curriculum, the first foreign language is taught 2 hours/week from grades 1 to 4 and 3 hours/week from grades 5 to 8. The second foreign language (elective) is taught 2 hours/week from grades 4 to 8.

In fact, English (and sometimes French or German) is often taught as early as kindergarten. English is often the first foreign language taught in grade 1 (age 7) in primary school. The most common second foreign language is German, followed by Italian and French.

In secondary school, Russian and Spanish are sometimes taught as a second or third foreign language. This early start is important because it allows children to develop skills at a stage when they are most receptive to learning new languages.

Latin and Ancient Greek are taught in all schools with a classical curriculum (focusing on traditional subjects). Latin is compulsory in all humanities secondary schools. Minority language education is available from kindergarten to high school and is funded by the Croatian government for the Serbian, Czech, Hungarian and Italian minorities.

Although Croatian remains the official language used in education, there is a growing trend for science and engineering courses to be taught in English.

Croatia also makes no secret of its “ambition” to spread its national language beyond national borders. Under Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Croatia is taking steps to promote Croatian across Europe through the adoption of a new Croatian Language Act.

The law aims to ensure Croatian is used as an official language in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU, and to promote the study of Croatian abroad, according to Euractiv.

Tourism and economic development: Practical drivers

Croatia's booming tourism industry also plays a major role in boosting the country's high English proficiency.

The ability to speak English is essential for anyone who wants to work in the tourism industry, from hotel and restaurant staff to tour guides.

As one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, Croatia attracts millions of international visitors each year.

In 2023, Croatia will see some 20.6 million tourists (more than five times its population) and 108 million overnight stays, according to the eVisitor system. International tourist spending accounts for nearly 20% of the country’s GDP—the largest share in the EU, according to a study by the European Commission.

Many Croatians, especially those living in tourist hotspots like Dubrovnik, Split and the capital Zagreb, have seized the opportunity for economic growth. For them, fluency in English is a must-have skill.

This need for English proficiency is not limited to the tourism industry but also affects other areas of the economy such as international trade and finance.

Media promotes everyday contact

Another important factor contributing to Croatia's success with English is its extensive exposure to English-language media.

Research by Dr. Sara Brodarić Šegvić at the University of Split (Croatia) emphasizes the importance of learning English naturally and incidentally. This means that students learn English through exposure to media rather than relying solely on formal education.

Specifically, the study found that Croatian high school students are regularly exposed to English-language media, such as movies, music, and online content. This exposure helps them practice and improve their English skills outside the classroom.

Many Croatian students prefer to watch English movies without subtitles or with English subtitles instead of Croatian subtitles.

Although students also learn other foreign languages ​​such as Italian, research shows that English-language media is much more popular and influential.

Research by Dr. Sara Brodarić Šegvić concluded that Croatian students' English proficiency is closely related to their exposure to and consumption of English-language media products.

This constant exposure reinforces the language skills learned in school and makes English a part of everyday life for many Croatians.

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