KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has secured the third spot among Asian countries with high English proficiency, as revealed by the 2023 EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI).
The index evaluates 113 countries and regions where English is not the primary language, categorising proficiency levels from very high to very low.
Malaysia achieved the second-highest proficiency level in this ranking, placing it in the 3rd position for English proficiency in Asia.
Singapore claims the top spot, followed by the Philippines. Globally, Malaysia is ranked 25th on the list.
In the EF EPI 2023 City score, only Kuala Lumpur made the list, mirroring the national ranking with a category of high proficiency.
Malaysia scored 568 in the 2023 index, a marginal decrease of six points from the previous year. Kuala Lumpur scored 564, while the global average stands at 502.
The 2023 EF EPI further identifies Perak as the top region in Malaysia for English proficiency, scoring 587, and Kuantan as the leading city with a score of 603.
Notably, individuals aged between 26 and 30 demonstrate the highest mastery of English in the country, boasting an average score of 582.
The EF EPI utilises the EF Standard English Test (SET), a standardised, objectively scored test designed to assess language abilities according to the six levels in the European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
The 2023 edition is the result of over 2.2 million participants from 113 countries worldwide who took the EF SET in 2022.