EF Education First (EF) has launched the 2023 edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), the largest international survey on English skills for adults. The index, calculated from the test results of 2.2 million non-native English speakers in 113 countries and regions, reveals a concerning decline in English proficiency among young people over the past five years and a growing gender disparity.
“This year’s index portrays an illusion of global stability – where everyone’s English remains virtually the same, but the truth is that gains in certain countries and regions are being offset by losses in others,” says Kate Bell, author of the EF EPI.
“Language is essential for sharing perspectives and fostering understanding; and as a bridge language, English is in a unique position to connect people across borders,” she adds.
The key findings of the test include:
• Young people’s English proficiency continues to decline (-89 points for those aged 18 to 20 since 2015), driven by some large countries, including India and Indonesia. Several other countries recorded pandemic-related declines, accelerating the global trend.
• Workforce proficiency is increasing. Globally, these gains were made during the pandemic period (+20 points for adults over 30 between 2020 and 2021). Many national trends indicate a steady improvement since 2015.
• The gender disparity is increasing, with men’s English improving (+14 points) and women’s declining (-19 points since 2014). The gender disparity is not uniform. In about 63 countries, there is gender parity.
• Proficiency by regions: Proficiency in East Asia has decreased for four consecutive years, accelerated this year by Japan and China. Proficiency in the Middle East is stagnant. English is steadily improving in Latin America, but the region’s progress is hindered by declining proficiency in Mexico and a slower pace in Brazil. Despite dominating the top of the index, Europe stagnated this year. Finally, English proficiency in Africa is largely stable, except in Tunisia and Algeria, both improving rapidly.
The ten countries with the best English:
1. Netherlands
2. Singapore
3. Austria
4. Denmark
5. Norway
6. Sweden
7. Belgium
8. Portugal
9. South Africa
10. Germany
Brazil is in 70th place among countries with low English proficiency.
Source: ef.edu