Cultural diversity
Proficiency in English
About this topic
Proficiency in English records how well people say they speak English, with the question mainly relevant for people who use a language other than English at home. It is a self-assessed measure of spoken English rather than a formal test.
This topic helps identify where interpreting, translated information, and targeted service communication may be needed. It is most informative when read alongside language used at home, birthplace, and year of arrival.
Interpretation notes
- ABS treats this as a self-assessed indicator of spoken English, not a formal test, so results should be interpreted with care.
- The detailed English-proficiency categories mainly relate to people who use another language at home; people who speak English only are included as a separate category.
Key insight
In 2021, English only was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Ryde (C), accounting for 46.3% (59,738 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 7,573 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Ryde (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Ryde (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ryde (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
59,738
% of total
46.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
59,738
46.3%
-1.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
53,440
% of total
41.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
53,440
41.4%
+2.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
10,567
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
10,567
8.2%
-0.3pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
5,382
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
5,382
4.2%
-0.2pp
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+4,295
-1.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+7,573
+2.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+664
-0.3pp
Total Not Stated
+297
-0.2pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Ryde (C). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 59,738 | 46.3% | 57.3% | 55,443 | 47.7% | 58.4% | +4,295 | -1.4pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 53,440 | 41.4% | 31.3% | 45,867 | 39.4% | 29.3% | +7,573 | +2.0pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 10,567 | 8.2% | 6.4% | 9,903 | 8.5% | 6.5% | +664 | -0.3pp |
| Total Not Stated | 5,382 | 4.2% | 5.0% | 5,085 | 4.4% | 5.8% | +297 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 129,123 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 116,302 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,821 | 0.0pp |