The latest EF Education Survey shows that English proficiency levels overall haven’t changed, but some emerging trends are worth noting. Declines in English proficiency among the youths align with the COVID-19 pandemic. The gender gap amongst those aged 18–25 is larger than among working adults.
In the 2023 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index, it was good news for The Netherlands, Singapore and Austria, who retained the top three places in the largest international survey of its kind.
Argentina, South Africa and Israel were also found to be the best English speakers in their respective regions of South America, Africa and the Middle East.
But the index, calculated from test results by 2.2 million non-native English speakers in 113 countries and regions, also revealed that overall, worldwide English proficiency levels haven’t changed. “This year’s index portrays an illusion of global stability — where everyone’s English stays about the same, but the truth is that gains in certain countries and regions are being offset by losses in others,” claims EF EPI author Kate Bell.
Those losses were most stark amongst 18–20 year olds, the youngest age group partaking in the survey. However, the survey states that “this is a case where what looks like a worldwide trend is actually only a trend in a few large countries. In most places, youth proficiency has been stable, or if it has declined, that drop aligns neatly with the interruption of education systems during the (COVID) pandemic.”
Other key findings included a major rise in English proficiency amongst the workforce, gains in usage in Latin America, and a decline for four years running in Japan and China, with the latter dropping 20 places to #82 in the rankings.
In addition, the worldwide gender gap appears to be widening, with men’s English improving while women’s usage has been declining over the past decade. “The gender gap amongst those aged 18–25 is three times as wide as among working adults, claims the survey report. Indicating a problem engendered by educational systems themselves or a societal problem schools are failing to address.”
Only global cities, regions, and countries with a minimum of 400 test takers were included in the index. 99% of the participants were between the ages of 18 and 60, with a 55 percent female and 45 percent female split. The participants’ average age was 26. A high proficiency in English use was defined as using appropriate language in social situations, reading advanced texts with ease and being able to negotiate a contract with a native English speaker.
Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF Education First provides immersive education via language, travel, cultural and academic programs in over 100 countries.
