Growing up in Europe, I’ve experienced firsthand how humbling it is to live with people with English as their second language. As I’ve clumsily stringed together broken sentences in their native tongue, they’ve replied in near-perfect English — a clear indication that I should give up and stop embarrassing myself. It’s the same in other places I’ve lived around the world. From Asia to South America, people have better language skills than us native English speakers. And sure, this is in part because many need to learn our language, but that argument only goes so far. I’ve sat at tables with friends who have bounced from German, French, Dutch, to Spanish, and back to English (mainly for my benefit.) Most of us English speakers are inherently lazy with our language skills, and even if you’re going to dust off your schoolbook for your next European vacation, there are certain European cities where the population’s proficiency will stop you in your tracks before you can mumble, “hallo.”
Europe’s 10 Capital Cities Where Residents Might Speak Better English Than You
Every year, global education company Education First (EF) publishes a report ranking the top (and bottom) countries in terms of English proficiency in its English Proficiency Index (EPI).
Analyzing the results of 2.1 million non-native English speakers who took EF’s Standard English Tests in 2023, each country is ranked out of 800 points. This year, the results showed a general decline in English proficiency, with women and students having the weakest skills.
Looking at this data, Matador has complied with the top ten European capital cities, where you will be best understood. These are the findings:
- 1. Amsterdam
- 2. Oslo
- 3. Stockholm
- 4. Zagreb
- 5. Lisbon
- 6. Copenhagen
- 7. Athens
- 8. Vienna
- 9. Berlin
- 10. Bucharest
In the 2024 results, nine out of 10 of the most English-proficient countries in the world are European. Singapore took third place, which is hardly surprising if you’ve ever visited.
The Netherlands again took the top spot with 636 points, having the best second-language English skills in Europe and among 116 countries globally.
But there are plenty of other European places where you’ll likely be understood if you need to communicate in English.
Also among the top countries with “very high proficiency” rating were Norway, which scored second place globally with 610 points, and Sweden, which took fourth place with 608 points. Croatia, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, and Austria made up the rest of the top-level category.
Some of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, however, only have “moderate proficiency” in English.
France has slipped down the list since 2021, when it sat in the “high proficiency” category in 31st place globally. In 2022, it dropped to “moderate proficiency” with 541 points, placing it 34th. Last year, it fell to 43rd place globally and 34th in Europe, with 531 points. In 2024, it has dropped still further to 49th place globally with 524 points — the lowest of all Northern European countries included in the study.
Italy only comes in a few places above France in 46th with 528 points, while Spain sits at 36th with 538 points. They were surprisingly beaten by Georgia and Belarus, in 34th and 35th place globally. 