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Countries With Highest English Proficiency:  English is one of the most-spoken languages across the globe. From international business and education to cultural exchange, English has truly shaped world dynamics. The English language proficiency has become a crucial skill in a global world. Here is a list of the top 10 countries with the highest English proficiency, with India’s rank in comparison to find out more. The list is as per the EF English Proficiency Index, which is the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills.

List Of Top 10 Countries With Highest English Proficiency:

Rank Country EF EPI Score Proficiency Band
1 Netherlands 636 Very High
2 Norway 610 Very High
3 Singapore 609 Very High
4 Sweden 608 Very High
5 Croatia 607 Very High
6 Portugal 605 Very High
7 Denmark 603 Very High
8 Greece 602 Very High
9 Austria 600 Very High
10 Germany 598 Very High

Which Country Has The Highest English Proficiency?

  1. The Netherlands has consistently ranked at the top of the list of countries with the highest English proficiency. All credit for the nation’s language choices goes to its Dutch education system, which puts firm emphasis on multilingualism from an early age. English is widely spoken in business, academia, and daily life in the Netherlands, even after being a non-native English-speaking country.

  2. In Norway, citizens benefit highly from a strong public education system and a massive exposure to English media. English is a compulsory subject in schools, which makes most Norwegians fluent in the language by adulthood.

  • Singapore, as a former British colony, has English as one of its official languages and the main medium of instruction in schools. Additionally, the city-state’s multicultural environment influences English usage in daily life and business.

  • Sweden is one of the countries with the highest English proficiency and is widely acknowledged for its near-native fluency.  The language is introduced early in Swedish schools. Additionally, the cultural influence, media influence and global engagement gave rise to the language in the country.

  • Croatia is famous worldwide for its tourism-driven economy. The integration with the European Union has also strongly influenced English education, especially among the younger generations.

  • Portugal is thriving on the list, with most citizens speaking English, especially in urban centres and among the youth. The prime reason for all of it is growing international business and tourism.

  • In Denmark, English is taught from the first years of school and is prevalent in Danish media. Denmark people are highly comfortable switching languages between Danish and English in professional and social settings.

  • Greece is driven by tourism, and the country’s major desire is to flourish in the global economy, for which the English language is a necessity. English is a core subject in Greek schools, and proficiency levels have risen steadily in recent years.

  • Austria’s central European location and strong educational policies ensure that English is a key part of the school and college curriculum, with high fluency rates among young adults.

  • Germany is Europe’s largest economy, and it highly prioritises English proficiency for international business and academic collaboration. English is widely spoken in the country, especially in urban areas and among professionals.

    • Where India Ranks On The List?

    Despite being one of the largest English-speaking populations in the world, India does not rank among the top 10 countries for English proficiency. According to the EF EPI, India is classified under the ‘low’ proficiency band, with a 69th rank and score of 490. The reason for low ranking of India is due to regional demographics, as India is a secular country with way too many local languages spoken across the nation of billions. 

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