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ZURICH, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EF Education First (EF), a global provider of culturally immersive education, released the 2024 edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) – the largest international survey of English skills by countries, capital cities and regions, published annually since 2011.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Netherlands retained the top spot, Norway came in second, followed by Singapore.
Overall, the 2024 index, calculated from the test results of 2.1 million non-native English speakers, aged 18+, in 116 countries and regions, reports an ongoing softening of worldwide English proficiency where men remain more proficient than women, and young professionals more proficient than students and adults over 40.
"The global landscape of English proficiency is constantly evolving," said EF EPI author Kate Bell. "While the Middle East and Africa have improved this year, on the whole, we see a slow but persistent decline in the level of English among adults elsewhere. This trend supports the impression that in 2024, the expectation in many countries is that everyone speaks English, regardless of the reality, leading to a loss of focus on improving English proficiency in both the education system and the private sector."
Key findings:
- Declining global proficiency: 60 percent of countries are scoring somewhat lower this year than last. On the positive side, the long downward youth proficiency trend in the 18 – 20 cohort halted this year.
- Persistent gender gap: Since last year, women's English proficiency remained stable while men's declined, which has narrowed the gender gap. However, in 40 countries, men's English proficiency is still significantly higher than women's. Africa remains the exception, as the only continent where women have consistently better English skills than men, and women's proficiency improved the most. Worldwide, the gender gap is widest among the youngest cohort and narrows progressively over time.
- Regional developments: Asia's English proficiency declined more than any other region compared to last year, mainly driven by India and, to a lesser extent, China. English proficiency in Europe also declined slightly, with a larger decline within the EU versus outside of it. After years of rising proficiency, Latin America's regional average remained stable, with regional differences. In the Middle East, English proficiency continues to improve slowly, particularly in Saudia Arabia.
The EF EPI trend report is available for download.
EF Education First provides culturally immersive education through language, travel, cultural exchange, and academic programs in over 100 countries. Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF's mission is opening the world through education.
Media contact: Sonja Hildebrandt. Email: mediainquiry@ef.com
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Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2554081/EF_Education_First_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
ZURICH, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EF Education First (EF), a global provider of culturally immersive education, released the 2024 edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) – the largest international survey of English skills by countries, capital cities and regions, published annually since 2011.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Netherlands retained the top spot, Norway came in second, followed by Singapore.
Overall, the 2024 index, calculated from the test results of 2.1 million non-native English speakers, aged 18+, in 116 countries and regions, reports an ongoing softening of worldwide English proficiency where men remain more proficient than women, and young professionals more proficient than students and adults over 40.
"The global landscape of English proficiency is constantly evolving," said EF EPI author Kate Bell. "While the Middle East and Africa have improved this year, on the whole, we see a slow but persistent decline in the level of English among adults elsewhere. This trend supports the impression that in 2024, the expectation in many countries is that everyone speaks English, regardless of the reality, leading to a loss of focus on improving English proficiency in both the education system and the private sector."
Key findings:
- Declining global proficiency: 60 percent of countries are scoring somewhat lower this year than last. On the positive side, the long downward youth proficiency trend in the 18 – 20 cohort halted this year.
- Persistent gender gap: Since last year, women's English proficiency remained stable while men's declined, which has narrowed the gender gap. However, in 40 countries, men's English proficiency is still significantly higher than women's. Africa remains the exception, as the only continent where women have consistently better English skills than men, and women's proficiency improved the most. Worldwide, the gender gap is widest among the youngest cohort and narrows progressively over time.
- Regional developments: Asia's English proficiency declined more than any other region compared to last year, mainly driven by India and, to a lesser extent, China. English proficiency in Europe also declined slightly, with a larger decline within the EU versus outside of it. After years of rising proficiency, Latin America's regional average remained stable, with regional differences. In the Middle East, English proficiency continues to improve slowly, particularly in Saudia Arabia.
The EF EPI trend report is available for download.
EF Education First provides culturally immersive education through language, travel, cultural exchange, and academic programs in over 100 countries. Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF's mission is opening the world through education.
Media contact: Sonja Hildebrandt. Email: mediainquiry@ef.com
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2554082/EF_English_Proficiency_Index_2024.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2554081/EF_Education_First_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Worldwide English Proficiency Index Reports Persistent Global Decline With Weaker Skills in Women and Young adults
SINGAPORE, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore has been awarded the ASEAN MICE Venue Award 2026 in the Meeting Room Category, a prestigious regional recognition under the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (AMVS). The award celebrates venues that meet the highest benchmarks for business meetings across Southeast Asia and was officially presented at the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards Ceremony during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) on 30 January 2026 in Cebu, Philippines.
In 2026, only 41 establishments across all ten ASEAN Member States attained this distinction after undergoing rigorous on-site audits evaluating structural quality, soundproofing, amenities, safety standards and service excellence. Grand Copthorne Waterfront is one of only two hotels in Singapore to receive the award, and one of just three Singapore representatives overall, highlighting its leadership in the regional MICE sector and reinforcing Singapore's standing as a premier MICE destination.
The ASEAN MICE Venue Award – Meeting Room category honours venues that meet rigorous standards in facilities, service, safety and accessibility. This recognition reflects the hotel's commitment to quality and seamless meeting experiences.
Commenting on the achievement, Andrew Tan, General Manager of Grand Copthorne Waterfront, said: "This ASEAN MICE Venue Award is a strong affirmation of our team's dedication to delivering exceptional meeting experiences. It reflects the high standards we uphold across our facilities, service and operations, and reinforces our commitment to continuously innovate and elevate the experience for our clients and partners."
Benedict Ng, Vice President, Operations, Southeast Asia and North America, added:
"Being recognised under the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard places Grand Copthorne Waterfront among the region's most trusted and capable MICE venues. This achievement highlights the strength of our operational excellence and our continued investment in people, infrastructure and technology to support world-class business events."
The accolade follows the hotel's $40 million refurbishment completed at the end of 2023, which significantly enhanced its MICE capabilities. Featuring 6,200 square metres of meetings and events space, including naturally lit meeting rooms and three pillarless ballrooms spanning 1,385 square metres; the hotel is well equipped to support hybrid, in-person and virtual events. Overlooking the Singapore River, its venues offer a distinctive setting paired with state-of-the-art technology and world-class audio-visual facilities, reinforcing its role in elevating regional MICE standards and strengthening Singapore's position as a leading international MICE hub.
Contact:
Claire Chan, Assistant Director of Marketing Communications
Claire.Chan@millenniumhotels.com
Kok Nee Tsu, Assistant Manager of Marketing Communications
neetsu.kok@millenniumhotels.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore Honoured with ASEAN MICE Venue Award 2026
