The world has become increasingly connected, and English serves as the universal bridge between cultures and nations. While some countries are obvious when it comes to English proficiency, others might genuinely surprise you with their remarkable command of the language. The latest research from the EF English Proficiency Index reveals fascinating patterns that challenge common assumptions about where excellent English skills flourish.
The 2024 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index ranks 113 countries and regions by their English skills, calculated using test data from 2.1 million test takers in 2023. Let’s explore eight countries that consistently outperform expectations and demonstrate that linguistic excellence often emerges in the most unexpected places.
Austria: The Alpine English Excellence
When people think of Austria, they typically picture Mozart, Vienna’s grand palaces, or perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger’s distinctive accent. Few imagine a nation where locals speak English with remarkable fluency. According to the EF EPI test, Austria scored 616, ranking among the top English proficient countries, and Austria ranks 7th in the EF EPI and 1st in TOEFL, making it the top country globally in English proficiency. This remarkable achievement places Austria ahead of many countries where English exposure is far more common.
Vienna was among the top cities for English proficiency when examining individual cities. The Austrian capital demonstrates how strategic investment in education and international business has created an environment where English thrives. Austria’s success story reflects a broader European trend, though its consistent top-tier performance stands out even among highly proficient neighboring nations.
Portugal: Coastal Conversations in Perfect English
Portugal is a very highly English-proficient country scoring an average score of 607 on the EF EPI proficiency test. This score is in line with other European countries, and it follows that the most proficient areas of Portugal are in the central city regions. Portugal’s remarkable English skills often catch visitors off guard, especially given that Portuguese remains dominant in daily life.
The nation’s tourism boom has certainly contributed to this linguistic achievement, though the roots run deeper. Millions of sun-seeking tourists and early-stage language education seem to have had an impact on English standards in Croatia (No.4) and Portugal (No.5), putting both ahead of the usually excellent English spoken in Denmark. Portugal’s education system emphasizes English from an early age, creating generations of confident English speakers who seamlessly switch between languages.
Croatia: Balkan Brilliance
Croatia presents one of the most striking examples of unexpected English mastery. Croatia’s EF English Proficiency score in 2023 was 603 in the ‘very high proficiency’ band, down from 612 the previous year. Despite experiencing a slight decline, Croatia maintains its position among the world’s elite English-speaking nations, ranking consistently in the top fifteen globally.
In 12th place is the Croatian capital Zagreb with 612 points and in the ‘very high proficiency’ band. The city’s exceptional performance reflects broader national trends. Many Croatians speak English. German and Italian are spoken in places too. Croatia’s multilingual culture, combined with its growing tourism industry and EU membership, has created an environment where English proficiency flourishes naturally.
Belgium: Multilingual Marvel
Belgium makes the list to continue the trend that European countries are more proficient in English than other countries. Belgium scored a 608, indicating it has a very high proficiency in English. Belgium’s linguistic landscape is already complex, with Dutch, French, and German serving as official languages, making their English proficiency all the more impressive.
Belgium ranks 7th in the EF EPI and 5th in TOEFL, securing 5th place overall in English proficiency. This dual excellence in both practical and academic English demonstrates the country’s comprehensive approach to language education. Belgium’s position at the heart of European politics and business has undoubtedly influenced this remarkable linguistic achievement.
South Africa: Rainbow Nation’s Linguistic Pride
South Africa might seem like an obvious choice given its colonial history, yet the depth and breadth of English proficiency across the nation often surprises visitors. South Africa ranks 11th in the EF EPI and 11th in TOEFL, placing 11th overall for English proficiency and 1st in Africa. This remarkable achievement places South Africa ahead of many traditionally English-speaking regions.
Although the countries with “very high proficiency” were predominantly European, Singapore and South Africa also scored exceptionally well, with Singapore securing third position and South Africa ranking eleventh. Fourteen countries have been placed in the “very high” category, with the Netherlands being ranked first, followed by Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, South Africa, Finland, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, and Croatia in fourteenth place. South Africa’s consistent high performance reflects the nation’s commitment to English as a unifying language across its diverse population.
Denmark: Nordic Linguistic Excellence
The fourth most English-proficient country is Denmark, scoring a 615. Although lower than other countries, this score still makes the country extremely proficient. Denmark’s remarkable English skills have become legendary among travelers who discover they can communicate effortlessly with locals from teenagers to grandparents.
Denmark ranks 4th in the EF EPI and 6th in TOEFL, placing it 2nd overall and 1st in the Nordic region for English proficiency. The Danish approach to English education, combined with their preference for subtitled rather than dubbed foreign media, has created an environment where English feels almost native. Then there is Norway and Sweden, where dubbing is not developed, and residents of these countries watch most TV series and films in the original language.
Greece: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Language
Greece might conjure images of ancient philosophy and Mediterranean cuisine, but modern Greece surprises visitors with exceptional English proficiency. Croatia, Portugal, Denmark, Greece and Austria made up the rest of the top-level category. Greece consistently ranks among nations with “very high proficiency,” a remarkable achievement that reflects the country’s educational priorities.
The tourism industry certainly plays a role, though Greece’s English excellence extends far beyond hospitality workers. Very high proficiency: Amsterdam 657, Copenhagen 633, Vienna 628, Helsinki 627, Lisbon 626, Zagreb 626, Stockholm 617, Berlin 615, Bern & Oslo 614, Athens 613, Warsaw 612, Budapest 606, Bratislava 604, Bucharest & Sofia 601. Athens ranks impressively among European capitals, demonstrating that Greek English proficiency represents a national achievement rather than isolated pockets of excellence.
Sweden: Scandinavian Superiority
Placing sixth, Sweden achieved an EF EPI score of 609. Notably, Stockholm ranked among the top five cities worldwide for English proficiency, with a score of 637. Sweden’s English mastery has become so pronounced that many visitors report feeling slightly embarrassed by their own language limitations when conversing with seemingly bilingual Swedes.
Sweden ranks 6th in the EF EPI and 18th in TOEFL, putting it 7th overall in global English proficiency and 2nd in the Nordic region. Swedish success stems from early English education, extensive exposure to English media, and a cultural openness to international communication. The combination creates citizens who switch effortlessly between Swedish and English, often within the same conversation.
These eight countries demonstrate that English proficiency excellence emerges through various pathways. Some leverage tourism, others emphasize education, and many combine cultural openness with strategic language policies. What do you think contributes most to a nation’s English success? Tell us in the comments.
