Increase in Welsh Language Learners
The number of individuals learning Welsh has risen by 12% over the past year, reaching over 20,000 for the first time, according to recent data.
Statistics from The National Centre for Learning Welsh (NCLW) indicate a continued upward trend in the number of people completing Welsh language courses. This growth has been observed almost every year since the NCLW began releasing figures in 2017/18. However, these figures do not account for those learning Welsh through alternative methods such as language apps like Duolingo.
Nearly 40% of current learners engage in Welsh courses through their workplace. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in young learners and those from minority ethnic backgrounds participating in these courses.
Personal Experience: Emma Winter
Emma Winter, a singer and primary school teacher from Troed-y-rhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, has observed a significant change in young people's attitudes towards learning Welsh.
Having studied Welsh for two years, Emma, who competed on Y Llais — S4C's version of The Voice — describes the lessons as both accessible and enjoyable.
"I thought the classroom would be full of teachers, but there are people younger and older than I am, from all sorts of backgrounds,"
"It is tricky to learn as an adult, but I'm now pursuing music more seriously and wouldn't have done so without Welsh.
"I just want to carry on, and show others that they can do it too."
Funding and Government Targets
The NCLW receives funding from the Welsh government as part of its ambition to achieve one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Welsh government statistics suggest that approximately 28% of the population speaks Welsh. This figure is higher than the 17.8% recorded in the 2021 Census and has been subject to scrutiny by statisticians.
Course Completion and Levels
In the 2024/25 period, 20,445 individuals completed Welsh-language courses through the NCLW, with 61% studying at the entry level. The NCLW offers courses reviewed by Estyn at foundation, intermediate, advanced, and proficiency levels.
In 2023/24, around 18,000 people completed courses, marking a 61% increase compared to the 12,500 learners in 2017/18.
Almost half of the learners participated via face-to-face and virtual community learning, 39% studied through workplace courses, and 5% engaged in a scheme designed for families.
Demographics of Learners
Over 4,000 learners were aged between 16 and 24 years, representing a 56% increase from the previous year and six times the number recorded in 2018/19.
The NCLW also reported that nearly three-quarters of learners disclosed their ethnicity, with 5% identifying as belonging to 'diverse ethnicities' and 95% as 'white'. This marks an increase from the previous year's report, which showed only 1% of learners from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Official Response
"We're delighted with the latest figures, which shows a steady and sustained growth in the number of Welsh learners," said Dona Lewis, NCLW chief executive.
