S'pore ranks 3rd in world for English proficiency, still top in Asia: Survey

Singapore has come in third in the world’s largest ranking for English proficiency.

The survey by EF Education First, a Swedish education company, analysed the test results of 2.1 million adult non-native English speakers across 116 countries and regions.

The results were from EF SET English tests taken by participants in 2023.

3rd in the world

In the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2024, Singapore came in third with 609 points out of a maximum of 800.

This score placed it in the "very high proficiency" band.

However, Singapore was beaten to the top two spots by the Netherlands (636 points) and Norway (610 points).

In 2022 and 2023, Singapore had come in second in the overall rankings with 642 and 631 points, respectively.

Top in Asia

Singapore's score in the 2024 survey made it the highest-ranking Asian country.

The Philippines (ranked 22nd) took second place in Asia with 570 points.

Malaysia was third in Asia with an overall 26th place.

The survey report noted that the worldwide level of English proficiency has declined for the fourth year running.

Some 60 percent of countries in the index scored lower in 2024 than 2023.

The report also suggested that the downward trend appears to show "a slackening of interest in developing English proficiency beyond current levels" in many parts of the world.

Background

Countries and regions in the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index list are ranked based on a score.

This was calculated when participants take an online, adaptive English test for reading and listening skills called EF SET.

EF stated that the test is a "standardised, objectively scored test designed to classify test takers’ language abilities into one of the six levels established by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)".

It is also available to any internet user for free.

However, the sample of test takers is self-selected and "not guaranteed to be representative", EF said, noting that it tends to draw respondents keen to learn English or curious about their English skills.

EF said, "In addition, because the tests are online, people without internet access or the ability to complete online applications are automatically excluded. In countries/ regions where Internet usage is low, we expect the impact of this exclusion to be the strongest."

Nonetheless, EF stated that the sample is evenly balanced between male and female respondents.

More information can be found here.

Top image via Google Maps