Worldwide English Proficiency Index Reports Persistent Global Decline With Weaker Skills in Women and Young adults

ZURICH,Nov. 13, 2024/PRNewswire/ -- EF Education First (EF), a global provider of culturally immersive education, released the 2024 edition of itsEF English Proficiency Index(EF EPI) – the largest international survey of English skills by countries, capital cities and regions, published annually since 2011.

For the sixth consecutive year,the Netherlandsretained the top spot,Norwaycame in second, followed bySingapore.

Overall, the 2024 index, calculated from the test results of 2.1 million non-native English speakers, aged 18+, in 116 countries and regions, reports an ongoing softening of worldwide English proficiency where men remain more proficient than women, and young professionals more proficient than students and adults over 40.

"The global landscape of English proficiency is constantly evolving,"said EF EPI authorKate Bell."While theMiddle EastandAfricahave improved this year, on the whole, we see a slow but persistent decline in the level of English among adults elsewhere. This trend supports the impression that in 2024, the expectation in many countries is that everyone speaks English, regardless of the reality, leading to a loss of focus on improving English proficiency in both the education system and the private sector."

Key findings:

• Declining global proficiency:60 percent of countries are scoring somewhat lower this year than last. On the positive side, the long downwardyouth proficiency trendin the 18 – 20 cohort halted this year.
• Persistent gender gap:Since last year, women's English proficiency remained stable while men's declined, which has narrowed the gender gap. However, in 40 countries, men's English proficiency is still significantly higher than women's.Africaremains the exception, as the only continent where women have consistently better English skills than men, and women's proficiency improved the most. Worldwide, the gender gap is widest among theyoungest cohortand narrows progressively over time.
• Regional developments:Asia'sEnglish proficiency declined more than any other region compared to last year, mainly driven byIndiaand, to a lesser extent,China. English proficiency inEuropealso declined slightly, with a larger decline within the EU versus outside of it. After years of rising proficiency,Latin America'sregional average remained stable, with regional differences. In theMiddle East,English proficiency continues to improve slowly, particularly inSaudia Arabia.

The EF EPI trend report isavailable for download.

EF Education Firstprovides culturally immersive education through language, travel, cultural exchange, and academic programs in over 100 countries. Founded inSwedenin 1965, EF's mission is opening the world through education. 

Media contact:Sonja Hildebrandt. Email:mediainquiry@ef.com 

SOURCE EF Education First (EF)