EF English Proficiency Index 2025 launched: AI-Powered Insights Reveal Global Language Shifts in a Fragmented World

EF (Education First), a global provider of culturally immersive education, released the 2025 edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), the world’s most comprehensive ranking of adult English skills across 123 countries and regions.

“English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication. In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever,” said Kate Bell, author of the EF EPI and EF’s Head of Assessment.

The EF EPI 2025 is based on data from 2.2 million EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET) test takers worldwide. EF SET is the world’s largest free English test for both individuals and organizations – making robust language evaluation accessible to millions.

This year’s index marks a milestone: for the first time speaking and writing skills are evaluated, using proprietary AI technology developed by Efekta Education Group, a tech company within EF focused on improving learning outcomes at scale.

“Thanks to Efekta’s advanced technology, we can now assess not only what people understand through listening and reading, but also how well they express themselves through speaking and writing – essential for building understanding across borders and cultures,” added Bell. “This richer, more complete view of English proficiency reveals how skills vary across individuals and groups. AI-powered assessment enables us to do this with unprecedented scale, speed, and consistency worldwide.”

Key Findings:

• Top performers: The Netherlands remains #1, followed by Croatia and Austria – both of which improved their rankings. Germany climbed to #4 with one of the biggest gains in Europe.

• Speaking remains a global challenge: In over half of the countries measured, speaking is the weakest English skill.

• Skill gaps are widespread: Most countries show significant differences between English skills, especially those with higher overall proficiency. However, which skill ranks strongest, or weakest, varies by country – suggesting that no skill is inherently more difficult than others.

• Gender gap narrows: The gender gap is narrowing in most parts of the world, although it widened slightly in the Middle East.

• Youth proficiency falls short: Contrary to expectations, adults under 25 are not rebounding post-pandemic. In many countries, they score lower than older age groups.

• Regional highlights: Europe plateaued; Asia showed the narrowest skill gap; Latin America posted the widest age disparity; Africa remained the most varied.

More Than a Language:

Beyond rankings, the EF EPI explores how English proficiency correlates with innovation, economic opportunity, and international collaboration. As AI transforms the way we work and live, English remains not just a skill but a foundation for accessing and shaping the future – especially as the most advanced AI tools are developed and released primarily in English.

Download the full report at ef.com/epi