In the latest EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), Thailand’s grasp of the English language has been categorized as “very low proficiency,” ranking 101st out of 113 non-native English-speaking countries.
The Index places Thailand at the lower end of the scale both regionally and globally, with a score of 416, significantly below the global average of 502.
The EF EPI, which evaluates English proficiency across the world, revealed Thailand’s position as the lowest among the ASEAN countries tested. This benchmarking highlights a concerning trend in English language skills within the region.
Of particular note is Prachuap Khiri Khan, which recorded the lowest score of the Thai provinces included in the survey. With a score of just 299, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s proficiency level is markedly lower than other provinces, such as Chiang Mai, which top-scored with 464, followed by Bangkok (457), Phuket (456), and Songkhla (437).
The EF EPI bases its rankings on the EF Standard English Test (EF SET), an online test focusing on reading and listening skills. This test is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and is designed to objectively classify language abilities. In 2022, over 2.2 million individuals from 113 countries participated in this assessment.
Globally, the EF EPI sorts countries and territories into five proficiency bands, ranging from Very High to Very Low. The Netherlands claimed the top spot with a score of 647, followed closely by Singapore (631), and Austria (616). Within Asia, Singapore leads the rankings, followed by the Philippines (578), Malaysia (568), Hong Kong (558), and South Korea (525).
The executive summary of the EF EPI report indicated a slight decline in English proficiency levels across South and Southeast Asia, despite some countries in the region showing stable or modest improvements.
It noted the impact of India’s gradually declining proficiency levels and pointed out that the progress Thailand had made until 2020 was significantly set back by the pandemic.
Furthermore, the report observed low and stable proficiency levels in Central Asia, with notable gender gaps favoring men in almost every surveyed country.
This most recent analysis presents a challenging picture for Thailand, particularly for regions like Prachuap Khiri Khan, underscoring the need for enhanced focus on English language education to improve global communication and competitiveness.
You can read the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) in full here.
,%20Thailand's%20grasp%20of%20the%20English%20language%20has%20been%20categorized%20as%20%22very%20low%20proficiency%22.){kind=link}