The ability to speak multiple languages has become an increasingly valuable skill for UK professionals.
Recent research conducted by City Lit has shed light on the heightened demand for multilingual workers across various industries, with European languages such as German, French, and Spanish emerging as the most sought-after.
The study analysed job advertisements across the UK, revealing that German tops the list of in-demand languages, appearing in 25 percent of multilingual job postings. French closely follows at 24 percent, with Spanish rounding out the top three at 15 percent. The demand for these languages is particularly pronounced in sectors like Management, Sales, and Technology.
Top 5 Languages in Demand
| Rank | Language | Percentage of Jobs Available |
| 1 | German | 25% |
| 2 | French | 24% |
| 3 | Spanish | 15% |
| 4 | Turkish | 13% |
| 5 | Mandarin | 6% |
The research highlights that German is especially sought after in Management, with over 1,035 job openings, while French is in high demand across Marketing, Education, and Recruitment, with 1,080 positions in Management alone. Spanish, widely spoken worldwide, is crucial in sectors such as Management, Recruitment, and Sales, where proficiency in the language can unlock significant career opportunities in international markets.
Industries with High Demand for Multilingual Skills
City Lit’s research also identified the industries where multilingualism is most valued. Management, Recruitment, and Technology emerged as the top three sectors, collectively offering thousands of job opportunities to professionals fluent in multiple languages.
| Rank | Industry | Percentage of Jobs Available |
| 1 | Management | 13.2% |
| 2 | Recruitment | 6.1% |
| 3 | Technology | 5.2% |
| 4 | Sales | 5.0% |
| 5 | Marketing | 4.5% |
| 6 | Education | 4.1% |
| 7 | Insurance | 3.5% |
| 8 | Finance | 3.3% |
| 9 | Banking | 3.3% |
| 10 | Engineering | 2.6% |
Management leads the way, with over 4,308 positions requiring multilingual proficiency, particularly in languages like French, German, and Spanish. Recruitment follows with 1,992 job openings, where language skills are critical for engaging with diverse talent pools. The Technology sector also shows significant demand, with 1,722 positions, especially for professionals fluent in European languages.
Claudio Guasti, Head of School Culture and Communication at City Lit, emphasised the findings, stating, “Our research clearly shows the growing importance of language skills in today’s global economy. At City Lit, we recognise that being multilingual is no longer just an asset but a necessity in many industries. Whether in Management, Technology, Sales, or Education, the ability to communicate in multiple languages opens a wealth of opportunities.”
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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