<P> The following is a list of territories where English is an official language, that is, a language used in citizen interactions with government officials . In 2015, there were 54 sovereign states and 27 non-sovereign entities where English was an official language . Many country subdivisions have declared English an official language at the local or regional level . </P> <P> The majority of countries where English is an official language are former territories of the British Empire . Notable exceptions include Rwanda, which was formerly a Belgian territory, and Eritrea, which was an Italian colony where the British Empire maintained control only in World War II and shortly after (1941--1952). English is the sole official language of the Commonwealth of Nations . English is one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union and the International Olympic Committee . Although English is not an official language at the national level in the United States, many states and territories within the United States have English as an official language . </P>

Number of countries where english is the official language