For British tourists, language can be a key factor when choosing travel destinations.
While the world offers plenty of English-friendly countries, there are some places where monolingual travellers will face a real challenge.
According to a map from The Telegraph and data from the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI), certain countries are particularly difficult for those who rely solely on English.
Although 45 countries boast populations where at least half speak English, including Australia, Ireland, and unexpected places like the Philippines and Estonia, some nations remain largely inaccessible to English speakers.
For travellers seeking destinations where they can truly immerse themselves in a foreign culture these five countries rank among the toughest due to their low levels of English proficiency according to Babel.
1. China
Though China ranks 36th on the EF English Proficiency Index, less than 1% of the population speaks English fluently.
While major cities like Beijing and Shanghai may offer some English signage or menus, venturing outside these hubs into smaller towns presents a true linguistic challenge.
Most Chinese citizens, particularly older generations, do not speak English, and the use of the Mandarin language and non-Latin script adds further complexity.
2. Russia
The Foreign Office advises against all foreign travel to Russia due to the ongoing Ukraine war, but the country previously attracted lots of tourists to the likes of Moscow and St Petersburg. With only about 5.48% of the Russian population speaking English, Russia ranks just below China in terms of English accessibility.
The country also uses the Cyrillic alphabet, making it difficult for non-native speakers to navigate.
Major cities are more accustomed to English-speaking tourists, but outside these major cities, language barriers can be significant.
Russia‘s EPI ranking places it at 38th globally, indicating a moderate proficiency in English that is concentrated in urban centres.
3. Colombia
Colombia, ranked 51st on the EF EPI, is one of the least English-friendly destinations in Latin America.
Despite its increasing popularity as a tourist destination, English speakers will find it challenging to get by without a basic grasp of Spanish.
While tourist areas like Cartagena may cater to English-speaking visitors, larger cities such as Bogotá and MedellÃn require more reliance on Spanish to navigate daily life.
4. Brazil
Brazil ranks 41st on the EF EPI, and only about 5% of its population speaks English.
Portuguese is spoken by nearly 99% of the population, making it essential for visitors to pick up some Portuguese phrases.
English proficiency is generally limited to business and tourist areas, but outside of the major cities, it can be tough to find English speakers.
5. Laos
Bringing up the rear of the EF EPI list, Laos is a small Southeast Asian country where English is seldom spoken.
Regional dialects of Lao dominate, along with minority languages such as Khmu and Hmong.
Laos is considered one of the least English-friendly countries in Asia, with limited English speakers even in the capital, Vientiane.
For a truly immersive experience, visitors should be prepared to navigate using basic Lao or French, which still has some influence in certain areas.