Why the level of English in your country is so important
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English skills matter because they give people access to a wider range of information, a more diverse, international network, and more job opportunities than ever before. They also matter at the national level because they can tell us a lot about a country's level of innovation, competitiveness, and future prospects.
The rise of automated translation and now AI raises the question of whether learning other languages, and particularly English, will remain relevant.
We think the answer is yes.
In EF Education First's 2025 English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), we compiled test data from 2.2 million adults and used this data to rank nations, regions, and capital cities according to their English skills.
Key findings from the EF EPI 2025:
The Netherlands remains in the top position for English skills in the world, followed by Croatia and Austria — both of which improved their rankings. Germany climbed to fourth position with one of the biggest gains in Europe.
In over half of the countries measured, speaking English is the weakest skill reported, compared to other skills like reading, writing, comprehension, etc.
The gender gap is narrowing in most parts of the world, although it widened slightly in the Middle East.
Young people under 25 are not rebounding in their English proficiency post-pandemic. In many countries, they score lower than older age groups.
There are regional differences in English proficiency — Europe has plateaued, Asia showed the narrowest skill gap, Latin America posted the widest age disparity, and Africa remained the most varied.
How AI is changing English learning
For the first time since the launch of the EF EPI, this year’s index was assessed using AI technology developed by Efekta Education Group, a tech company within EF, focused on improving learning outcomes at scale.
Additional learnings from this year’s index show that artificial intelligence is reshaping how the world uses English, presenting both opportunities and challenges in English language education and adoption.
The critical importance of English
Although the findings of the EF EPI do not tell the whole story, they do tell an important one: high English proficiency levels are part and parcel of a future that is prosperous, connected, and healthy.
They also underscore the critical importance of skills that make individuals, companies, and societies more internationally connected and adaptable in the face of ever-accelerating technological change.
“English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication. In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever”, said Kate Bell, author of the EF EPI and EF’s Head of Assessment.
For full national rankings and analysis of the relationship between your country’s English skills and its economy, level of innovation, and connectivity, go to www.ef.com/epi.