Portugal Ranks in Top 10 for English Proficiency Among Non-Native Speakers

This study was conducted by the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), analysing 2.2 million individuals from 113 countries globally in its 2023 report. With high participation, it reveals notable trends in English language proficiency worldwide.

Portugal's language proficiency has been commendable, consistently ranking high in various surveys. In the latest survey conducted in 2023, Portugal managed to secure 8th place, attaining a high proficiency level. Interestingly, among the southern European countries, Portugal is the only one to achieve this feat. Other countries such as Greece, Spain, France, and Italy lagged far behind Portugal in terms of language proficiency. It is worth noting that Greece was the only other southern European country to reach a high proficiency level, trailing Portugal.

Portugal's ability to attract expats is bolstered by several factors, including its high English proficiency, welcoming culture, and smooth transition process. For those considering living in Portugal, the Passive Income Visa offers a viable option.

The top 10 countries in the 2023 report are as follows:

1. Netherlands
2. Singapore
3. Austria
4. Denmark
5. Norway
6. Sweden
7. Belgium
8. Portugal
9. South Africa
10. Germany

Additionally, the report ranks cities with sufficient data, and the top three Portuguese cities for English proficiency are Coimbra, Braga, and Guimarães. Coimbra stands out as the most English-proficient city in Portugal, on par with European capitals Vienna, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. This marks a significant shift compared to previous years, with neither Lisbon nor Porto, the two largest Portuguese cities, ranking in the top three, despite maintaining high proficiency levels. Notably, Coimbra's prominence is attributed to its status as a university town.

Another noteworthy finding is the global trend of the youngest age group (18 to 20 years) experiencing a slight decrease in proficiency, while in Portugal they gain some proficiency. The age group that reached higher results in Portugal was 20-25 years old. Globally the most proficient age group was 26-30 years old and 31-40 years old tied in the top. 

Regarding gender, males are exhibiting higher gains in English proficiency compared to females, consistent with observations since 2019.

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