But tech companies don't have profits here because of their tax optimizations. So, I guess it's not difficult where they got their sauce from.
Edit: (downvotes not agreeing with the term "most")
> robinson7d mentioned 38% as second language, 13 % as first language. So => 51% (or, "most")
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_Europe#Oth...
Just pointing out that's not true. The number is around 38% who have a working knowledge, second place is tied with German and French at 14% [1].
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_Europe#Oth...
Those numbers also don't have a correct representation of English speaking business owners and English speakers ( first language). Since your numbers mention "English as foreign language".
Same wiki :
The language is also a required subject in most European countries.[3] Thus, the percentage of English speakers is expected to rise.
The number of English speakers has been steadily increasing for quite a while already, at least in Germany. Mere 10 years ago speaking English was a skill which wasn't that common and thus quite a bit valued, nowadays most modern (and especially IT-centric) companies expect you to know English, it's nothing really special anymore, at this point it's rather expected.
English as a first language accounts for 13%, which when added to the 38% leaves you with 51% (or, "most")
http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/archives/e... (Cited at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_European_Unio...)
The language is also a required subject in most European countries.[3] Thus, the percentage of English speakers is expected to rise.
Added a quote from robinson7d:
> That citation is for "English as a foreign language", and if you read the end of the paragraph you see they are excluding UK and Ireland. English as a first language accounts for 13%, which when added to the 38% leaves you with 51% (or, "most")
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_European_Unio...