An infographic published on the Instagram page of Europe magazine shows the ranking of European countries by English language proficiency. According to the English Proficiency Index, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Croatia, and Portugal are among the top five countries with the best English skills. Turkey ranks last. The index is based on testing over 2.1 million adult participants during 2023. European countries that use English as an official or de facto national language are not included in the ranking. This index provides a key reference point for understanding English language proficiency across Europe.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the importance of English proficiency as a tool for social mobility and international cooperation within Europe. They highlight the benefits of multilingualism and the need for inclusive language education policies that support all citizens in gaining English skills, while also respecting local languages and cultures.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the English Proficiency Index as a factual ranking, focusing on the data and methodology. They present the rankings as useful for understanding educational outcomes and economic competitiveness in Europe, without strong political bias or additional commentary.
Right: Right-leaning sources may emphasize national pride in countries ranking high on the index, such as Croatia, and may critique countries with lower rankings like Turkey. They might also discuss the importance of English proficiency for economic competitiveness and national security, while sometimes expressing concerns about cultural preservation and the dominance of English.
