Over 20,000 learning Welsh as course numbers increase

The number of Welsh learners has increased by 12% in a year, and is now over 20,000 for the first time, according to latest figures.

Data from The National Centre for Learning Welsh (NCLW) showed another increase last year in those who had completed language courses.

Numbers have risen almost every year since the NCLW began publishing figures in 2017/18, but doesn't include those who learn Welsh via other methods, including apps such as Duolingo.

Almost 40% of those who study the courses now do so through their workplace, while there has also been an increase in young learners and those from minority backgrounds.

Emma Winter, a singer and primary school teacher from Troed-y-rhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, says she has seen "a big shift in young people's attitudes recently".

Emma, who competed on Y Llais - S4C's version of The Voice - has been learning Welsh for two years and says lessons are 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," she said.

"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."

The NCLW receives funding from the Welsh government as part of its target to achieve a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Welsh government statistics indicate that around 28% of people speak Welsh, although this figure is higher than the 17.8% recorded in the 2021 Census, and has been questioned by statisticians.

In 2024/25, there were 20,445 individuals who completed Welsh-language courses with the NCLW, with 61% of those studying at entry level.

The NCLW, whose courses are reviewed by Estyn, also offer courses at foundation, intermediate, advanced, and proficiency levels.

Around 18,000 people completed courses in 2023/24, while the latest figures are a 61% increase on the 12,500 who were learning Welsh in 2017/18.

Almost half the learners did so via face-to-face and virtual community learning, while 39% attended course through their work, and 5% used a specific scheme aimed at families.

Over 4,000 of the Welsh learners were between 16-24 years old, an increase of 56% on the previous year, and six times as many as there were in 2018/19.

The NCLW also said that almost three quarters of their learners noted their ethnicity, with 5% saying they were of 'diverse ethnicities', while 95% were 'white'.

The previous year's report had showed only 1% of learners were from 'diverse ethnicities'.

"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.