Flemish top survey of world's best non-native English speakers, Walloons make significant progress

Belgium ranks ninth in the English proficiency levels of 123 countries and regions thanks to a strong performance by Flanders, according to global organisation EF (Education First).

The international language learning company compiles the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) rankings each year.

Topping the table in 2025 with 624 points was the Netherlands, ahead of Croatia (2nd with 617 points) and Austria (3rd with 616 points).

Belgium climbed from 13th to 9th place with a score of 608, compared to 592 last year. Its national average was boosted by Flanders, although English proficiency in Wallonia continued to improve compared to 2024.

No other region in the world has a better grasp of English than Flanders, which achieved a score of 654 points. Wallonia scored 543 points, slightly higher than France, and showed significant improvement compared to 2024 (+17 points).

Brussels' score for English proficiency (588 points) placed it 26th in the ranking of capital cities. Copenhagen (644 points), Vienna (634 points) and Stockholm (633 points) occupied the top three spots.

Offering immersive education through academic programs in over 100 countries, EF has published the EF EPI since 2011. This year, 2.2 million adults worldwide took the online EF SET test, including 6,895 Belgians.

Commenting on the English language disparity in the two regions, EF Belgium country director Andrea Oriol said: “It’s a significant difference, but it doesn’t really surprise us. Walloon culture has historically been more oriented towards France; just think of English films dubbed into French.”

While highlighting how English proficiency was less pronounced in education and professional life in the south of the country, the results showed that interest in English was increasing in Wallonia, she said.

“In Flanders, children grow up with English-language series and films, which lays the foundation for better language skills later in life,” pointed out Oriol. In this year’s study, English proficiency was highest in West Flanders (661 points); the province of Antwerp took the honours last year.

Surprisingly, young Belgians aged 18 to 20 achieved the lowest with an average of 593 points. Those aged 21-25 (643 points) and 31-40 (638 points) turned in the best results, a trend that has been consistent for several years.

The study also revealed that Belgians find speaking and writing English slightly more difficult than reading and listening.