Top 20 non-English speaking countries whose residents speak excellent English

English plays a dominant role in today's interconnected world. According to a British Council report, English is the most widely spoken language in the world, with around 1,75 billion speakers. Yahoo learned which non-English speaking countries speak English best.

Photo: IStock

The Internet is also dominated by English, with 54% of all content presented in English. More than 50% of scientific and technical periodicals are written in English, which emphasizes its role as a key language in academic and professional fields.

The English language learning market is projected to grow to $2029 billion by 69,62, posting a strong annual growth rate of 9,5% from 2022.

On the subject: Ten online services that will help you finally speak English

To rank the 20 non-English speaking countries that speak English best, experts used two key indices: World's Best Non-Native English Speaking Countries Index, according to Ceoworld.biz and English Proficiency Index Education First (EF EPI) 2023. They ranked countries based on their average scores in ascending order. The higher the score, the higher the professionalism.

Index EF EPI Based on test data from more than 2 participants worldwide who took the EF English Standard Test (EF SET) or one of the EF EPI English Placement Tests in 100.

20. Luxembourg

• Average English proficiency score: 319,5.

Luxembourg's multilingual population, about 50% of which are foreigners, speaks English well, making it one of the best non-English speaking countries in Europe. The language is widely used in the business and banking sectors.

19. Kenya

• Average English proficiency score: 322,2.

In Kenya, English is the official language and is widely used in government, business and education. A book called "The Mouton World Atlas of Variation in English" suggests that 40% of the Kenyan population speaks English.

18 Slovakia

• Average English proficiency score: 323.

According to the EF English Proficiency Index 2023, Slovakia ranks 18th among the countries with the highest level of English proficiency. According to a report by Englishraven.com, about 26% of the country's population speaks English. Slovakia is also one of the best retirement destinations in Europe for English speakers.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

17. Bulgaria

• Average English proficiency score: 324.

Bulgaria ranks 16th in the EF EPI 2023, indicating an increase in English language proficiency, especially in large cities and among younger generations. This improvement can be attributed to the country's educational system and its increasing integration into global markets.

16. Hungary

• Average English proficiency score: 325.

English is widely spoken in Hungary, especially in its capital Budapest. The younger population and urban residents tend to have better English language skills compared to the older population and those living in rural areas.

15 Romania

• Average English proficiency score: 329.

Romania's rising English proficiency levels are a result of its educational policies and growing global involvement. The EF EPI ranks Romania as the 13th best English language country in Europe out of 35 European countries.

14 Poland

• Average English proficiency score: 330,9.

English is most popular among the younger population of Poland, especially among people aged 21-25. According to the EF EPI index, Poznań ranks first in Poland in terms of English language proficiency.

13. Greece

• Average English proficiency score: 331,0.

Greece is one of those countries where English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Many young Greeks speak English well, making communication easier for travelers.

12 Finland

• Average English proficiency score: 331,2.

English is one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in Finland, especially in its capital Helsinki. It is estimated that about 70% of the Finnish population speaks English fluently.

11 Croatia

• Average English proficiency score: 333,0.

Croatia, a favorite tourist destination, boasts a significant level of English language proficiency. This is especially true in coastal regions where English is commonly spoken in tourism and services.

10. Germany

• Average English proficiency score: 334,0.

The EF EPI 2023 ranks Germany as having a “very high level of English proficiency”. Statistics show that between 56% and 58% of the country's residents speak English.

9. Portugal

• Average English proficiency score: 335,0.

According to the EF EPI 2023, Portugal ranks 8th in the world for English language proficiency. It is estimated that around 60% of the Portuguese population speaks English, especially in major cities including Coimbra.

8. South Africa

• Average English proficiency score: 335,2.

In South Africa, English is one of the official languages ​​and is widely used in business, government and the media.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read all this on ForumDaily New York.

Its prevalence highlights the country's diverse linguistic landscape. According to the EF EPI 2023, the country is recognized as having the highest English proficiency in Africa and is among the top 10 countries for English proficiency. Approximately 8% of the population are native English speakers.

7. Belgium

• Average English proficiency score: 335,5.

Belgium, known as a multilingual country, demonstrates a strong command of the English language, especially in the Flemish region. English is widely spoken, especially in urban areas and in the business sector. In the EF EPI 2023 ranking it ranks 7th among 113 countries. Ghent and Leuven are among the best English-speaking cities in Belgium.

6 Sweden

• Average English proficiency score: 339,0.

Sweden, ranked 6th in the EF EPI 2023, uses English widely in its education system, starting from an early age in schools. English is also widely used in the media and everyday life, making it easier for visitors to communicate. About 86% of the population, especially young people, can speak English.

4 Norway

• Average English proficiency score: 341,0.

The impressive English language proficiency among Norwegians is largely due to their high-quality education system, where English is widely used in universities and the media. In Norway, people are often fluent in English, using it fluently both at work and in everyday life. In particular, the capital Oslo is known for having a large population of people who speak good English.

3 Denmark

• Average English proficiency score: 341,4.

Known for its robust education system, Denmark places special emphasis on early learning of the English language. This approach has resulted in the country having very good English proficiency and ranking 4th in the EF EPI rankings. This knowledge of English strengthens Denmark's reputation as a hospitable and tourist-friendly country. According to Education.com, about 86% of the Danish population can speak English as a second language.

2. Singapore

• Average English proficiency score: 349,0.

Singapore, ranked 2nd out of 133 countries in the EF EPI 2023, demonstrates high levels of English language proficiency. As one of the official languages, English is widely used in education, government and business, demonstrating Singapore's strong global ties. The 2020 report shows that approximately 48,3% of Singaporeans aged 5 years and above speak English.

1 The Netherlands

• Average English proficiency score: 358,6.

The Netherlands is ranked first in the EF EPI 2023 as the country with the highest English proficiency in the world. This impressive ranking is due to the strong emphasis on language education in the Netherlands, where the Dutch have an excellent command of English. Proficiency in English makes the Netherlands a very hospitable country for English-speaking tourists and business professionals. It is also known as one of the best countries where people speak the purest English.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Five steps to help you choose the best health insurance plan

A girl with Down syndrome, adopted by a US couple in Ukraine, became a Hollywood star

In South Korea, a crime movie fan brutally murdered a woman out of curiosity.

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.