How Good Is Your English?

English is the most widely spoken language globally, with approximately 1.5 billion speakers either as their native or second language. Mastery of English opens doors to numerous benefits, including fostering business growth, broadening educational opportunities, and boosting local tourism.

This widespread appeal drives increasing numbers of people to learn English, as reflected in the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI). The index annually assesses English proficiency levels across 113 countries by testing 2.2 million adults whose first language isn’t English.

The Netherlands Tops the EF English Proficiency Index

The Netherlands holds the top spot on the EF English Proficiency Index, achieving an impressive score of 647, classified as very high proficiency. This underscores the country’s strong emphasis on English as a critical tool for global communication.

Notably, Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital, showcased exceptional English skills in the previous year, earning a city-specific score of 683, further highlighting the nation’s linguistic prowess.

Singapore: Asia’s English Proficiency Leader

Singapore emerges as the highest-ranking Asian country on the index, achieving a score of 631, also classified as very high proficiency. This underscores Singapore’s commitment to English as a key language for education, commerce, and international engagement.

The country's strong performance emphasizes its role as a bridge between East and West, with English proficiency serving as a vital asset in its global competitiveness.