In a recent research by Swiss-based international education company, EF Education First (EF), on the level of English proficiency, Malaysia was ranked as the highest in the entire Asian region.  Malaysia was ranked at No.11, while Singapore came in at No.12.  Malaysia was ranked at No.13 last year.

Based on the survey, Malaysia scored 58.99 points while Singapore scored 58.92 points. Malaysia, Singapore, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Belgium, Germany, Latvia, Switzerland and Portugal were placed under the “High Proficiency” category.

Sitting at No.1 is Sweden, while Norway and the Netherlands came in at No.2 and No.3 respectively.

The results of the survey were revealed in a press release entitled “The World’s Top 60 Countries in English According to The EF English Proficiency Index,” which was posted on EF’s website. The results from this year’s rankings were based on tests performed on 750,000 adults from 60 countries last year.

Based on the survey, the top seven countries with the strongest English proficiency were smaller European nations. According to EF, this was probably because the “size of the nation compelled them to adopt an international outlook.”

The survey also found that some Asian countries, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, have improved their English proficiency over a six-year period.  Countries such as Japan and South Korea have declined slightly, but China, although minimal, has shown improvement. The survey also found that the Middle East and North Africa were the weakest with Iraq coming in last at No.60.

To check out the full list of countries, click here.

P/S: Expat Go Malaysia would like to point out that not all countries were included in this survey. For instance, the Philippines, Brunei and more.

Story from: The New Straits Times and The Wall Street Journal

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