English proficiency among U.S. immigrants, 1980-2018
% of foreign-born population ages 5 and older who are English proficient
| Year | % of immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 57.2% |
| 1990 | 53.0% |
| 2000 | 49.0% |
| 2010 | 48.4% |
| 2013 | 50.4% |
| 2014 | 50.4% |
| 2015 | 50.9% |
| 2016 | 51.0% |
| 2017 | 52.2% |
| 2018 | 53.2% |
Note: English proficient are those who speak only English at home or, if they speak a non-English language at home, they indicate they can speak English at least “very well.”
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of 1980-2000 decennial censuses and 2010, 2013-2018 American Community Surveys (IPUMS).
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
