EF English Proficiency Index

1 EF EPI. EF English Proficiency Index A Ranking of 112 Countries and Regions by English Skills EF SET. EF Standard English Test Take the free test at 2021. 2 Participate in the EF EPI: take the free EF SET at Table of Contents 04 Executive Summary 06 EF EPI 2021 Ranking of Countries and Regions 08 EF EPI 2021 City Scores 10 EF EPI Facts and Figures 12 English and the Economy 13 English and Innovation 14 English and Work 16 English and Society 17 English and the Future 18 Europe 20 Asia 22 Latin America 24 Africa 26 Middle East 28 Conclusions 30 Recommendations 32 Appendix A: About the Index 34 Appendix B: EF EPI Proficiency Bands 35 Appendix C: CEFR Levels and Can-Do Statements 36 Appendix D: EF EPI Country and Region Rankings 38 Appendix E: Selected References 3. Executive Summary Speaking English gives people access to a wider range of information, a more diverse network and more job opportunities than ever before.

2 In a globalized world, the adoption Our key findings are: English increases economic of a common language is inevitable. competitiveness Communication enables connection, Adult English Proficiency continues English is by far the most common accelerates innovation and facilitates to improve slowly language of information exchange across understanding. In short, we need a shared The worldwide average has not changed borders, making it a key component for language to work together. English is not significantly since last year. However, 16 accessing knowledge and expertise. We find the only option. At the risk of stating the countries moved up a Proficiency band, strong and consistent correlations between obvious, cross-border trade in Latin America while only one moved down, and none English and various measures of innovation is largely conducted in Spanish and the experienced a significant decline in score and competitiveness.

3 This finding resonates Middle East trades mostly in Arabic, but a (more than -20 points on an 800-point with research showing that companies with worldwide lingua franca is still necessary. scale). The addition of 12 countries which an international management team earn This explains the estimated billion were not in last year's Index , as well as the more revenue from innovation than their English speakers, of which only about 400 high score density in the middle of less diverse competitors. English -speaking million were born into the language. People the Index , caused a larger-than-usual workplaces are able to attract more diverse are learning English because it is useful reshuffling in the rankings. Although rank talent and draw on ideas and information to them. changes tend to be highly-reported, these from a larger pool. They are also more likely are relative rather than absolute measures to collaborate internationally with partners For adults, English skills can be a driver of English Proficiency .

4 And within their own organizations. for inclusion, enabling participation in professional development and leveling Men have embraced English In the workplace, English follows the playing field for those who come from Worldwide, men's English Proficiency has job function different circumstances and backgrounds. It outpaced women's for the first time since There is strong evidence that English allows for international talent management we began measuring it in 2014. This closing is increasingly a job requirement in all and progression at an advanced level. of the global gender gap has been driven by industries and at all seniority levels. The rising Proficiency among men. Every region English skill gap between the highest and This report investigates how and where except Asia has the same trend: women's lowest Proficiency industries has narrowed English Proficiency is developing around the English remains stable as men's English by 20% since 2012, and there is no longer world.

5 To create the 2021 edition of the EF improves. Africa is the only place where any real Proficiency difference between English Proficiency Index , we have analyzed women are still ahead, but the gap is closing executives, managers, and staff. However, the results of two million adults who took there too. Of all the indicators pointing to the gap in English skills between those in our English tests in 2020. the rising status of English in the world, this clerical and maintenance roles and those is perhaps the most telling. in marketing, strategy, and legal ones is as large as ever. Of course, not all jobs require Adults over 30 are improving fastest the same level of English , but people do not Since 2015, adults in their 30's have usually want to stay in the same job forever. improved their English three times as And when things change, professional much as those aged 21-25.

6 This year, the mobility is a key determinant of resilience for worldwide average for adults over 40 places individuals, companies and economies. them in the Moderate Proficiency band for the first time. These trends run contrary to the perceived wisdom that there is a golden (youthful) age to learn languages after which progress becomes impossible. When adults are motivated by social and economic gains, and are regularly exposed to English in a variety of practical situations, they too can improve their skills. 4 People in cities have better English English Proficiency is high and In Africa, English Proficiency runs English Proficiency is higher in almost rising in Europe the gamut every large city than in its surrounding English Proficiency in Europe remains For the first time this year, we have region and capitals outperform their country higher than in any other region and has a more complete map of English Proficiency as a whole.

7 The economy is the most likely risen significantly since 2011. However, in Africa. The picture that emerges is of driver of this urban/rural divide. More the gap between the average level in a highly diverse range of English skills, the jobs and better salaries draw ambitious France, Spain and Italy, three of Europe's most diverse of any region, in fact, when individuals from the countryside. Once in largest economies, and the EU average, measuring the gap between high and low the city, office jobs and a more international is remarkably stable. Despite a significant scorers. North Africa stands out for its pace environment expose them to English more improvement in the past decade in these of change. Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia all frequently. Although closing this gap is three countries, none is improving fast moved up a Proficiency band this year, and unlikely, countries can avoid deepening it by enough to catch up to their neighbors.

8 Algeria's score rose year-on-year by more ensuring English instruction in rural schools than any other country in the world. is at least as good as in urban ones. Contradictory trends in Asia The regional average in Asia has not Progress is slow in the Middle East Places with higher English Proficiency changed since last year, but in such a vast Adult English Proficiency remains far lower are fairer and more open zone, a regional average may not be the in the Middle East than in other regions. There is an increasingly clear relationship best indicator. Central Asia has made the Although there has been a small amount of between a society's connectedness to the clearest progress, gaining an average of progress in the past decade, adults under 25. world, its level of equality and freedom, and eight points a year since it entered the have not improved at all, which is worrisome its level of English .

9 The simplest relationship Index in 2018. East Asia is also trending up given the region's youthful population. In to explain is between a country's level (and over a longer period) despite Japan's addition, women's English Proficiency is not of outward focus and its English . It is a steady decline in English Proficiency . South keeping pace with men's. The workplace virtuous cycle. Places that engage heavily Asia and the ASEAN countries have mixed is key in building adult English Proficiency with the world (economically, scientifically, trends, with declining population-weighted both through direct training and through diplomatically, etc.) need English , so English averages despite several member countries exposure. When women are left out of the becomes a priority. And through their improving their English . workforce, their skills do not develop. engagement with the world, adults have more exposure to English , which in turn Latin America continues to Languages connect people.

10 They are raises Proficiency . improve, mostly the way we share ideas, preserve Almost all countries in Latin America have knowledge, and create culture. And The more complex relationship is between improved their adult English Proficiency over languages with many speakers have an English and fairness, and yet we find strong the past decade, and although progress inherent magnetism: learning them opens and consistent correlations between English has not always been dramatic, it has been doors. English has the potential to be a and gender equality, social mobility, and regular. In order to consolidate these powerful driver of diversity and inclusion freedom. Inequality appears to dampen gains, women's English Proficiency must over the coming decade, if only everyone English Proficiency , perhaps by leaving a be raised to the same level as men's. The gets an equal shot at learning it.