EF Education First has released its 2025 English Proficiency Index, ranking 123 countries and regions based on real-world English skills among non-native speakers. The results, drawn from millions of adult test-takers in 2024, show that English fluency remains heavily concentrated in Europe, with several countries shifting positions near the top.
Netherlands Leads for Another Year
According to Yahoo, the Netherlands held the top position among all 123 entries and ranked first among 37 European nations, scoring 624 points in the very high proficiency band. Much of that performance traces back to how Dutch media operates; television and film content is subtitled rather than dubbed, meaning children hear spoken English from an early age. Combined with early school instruction and a business environment that treats English as a working standard, fluency has become routine rather than exceptional.
Croatia climbed to second place, a result that reflects a broader shift among younger generations in the Balkans who pick up English through gaming, streaming, and social media. Tourism along the Adriatic coast also gives Croatians in hospitality and retail consistent real-world practice throughout the year.
Austria followed in third with 616 points, supported by Vienna's role as a seat for international organisations and a school system that introduces foreign language instruction early.
Germany Makes One of Europe's Biggest Gains
Germany's move to fourth place was among the more notable shifts in this year's index. Scoring 615 points, the country benefited from growing investment in bilingual education and the increasing use of English in its tech and finance sectors. Berlin's startup community, in particular, often runs entirely in English regardless of where team members were born.
Norway placed fifth with 613 points, Portugal sixth with 612, and Denmark seventh with 611. All three countries share a tradition of subtitled rather than dubbed television content, which research consistently links to stronger listening skills and informal language exposure from childhood.
Sweden came eighth with 609 points, followed by Belgium in ninth with 608. In Belgium, English frequently serves as neutral ground between the country's Dutch, French, and German-speaking communities, especially in Brussels where EU institutions rely heavily on English as a working language.
Slovakia Tops Central and Eastern Europe
Slovakia rounded out the top ten with 606 points, making it the best-performing country from Central and Eastern Europe in the 2025 index. Slovak schools have prioritised English instruction as a route to better employment, particularly as multinational firms have expanded into the country. Younger Slovaks are seen as the primary drivers of the improvement, having grown up with greater access to English-language media and international travel than previous generations.
The index highlights that English fluency is closely tied to media consumption habits, educational policies, and economic integration. As global English use continues to evolve, these top-performing countries set a benchmark for others aiming to improve their citizens' language skills.
