Northern European countries have again topped the EF English Proficiency Index in 2020, while the worldwide average English proficiency score remains stable.

The Netherlands has overtaken Sweden to come out on top of this year’s EF English Proficiency Index, while Singapore has become the first Asian country to enter the top 10.

Government-backed initiatives in Latin America are paying off as the region improves its results in the latest English Proficiency Index from EF. Worldwide, however, Europe still claims the highest level of English as a second language.

An English Proficiency Index (EPI) compiled annually by EF, published today, has revealed that Sweden is now considered to be the best in the world in terms of English, usurping Norway to take the title and zooming up from fourth position. Meanwhile, southern European countries hit by the eurozone crisis are stagnating at mid-ranking echelons.