Belgians are world's 11th best non-native English speakers, report shows

According to the sixth edition of the Education First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) released today, adults in the Netherlands are the best non-native English speakers in the world, followed by the Danes and Swedes. Iraq, Laos and Libya are at the bottom of the list. Belgium places 11th out of 72 countries, moving up six spots from last year's result. The EF EPI is the world's largest ranking of countries by English skills.

Each year, the EF EPI tests millions of adults around the world and ranks the countries according to their English proficiency. The index has become the global reference for measuring a country's knowledge of English.

The research also reveals a correlation between high levels of English proficiency and higher incomes, better quality of life, easier business and more innovation. “Knowledge of the English language is one of the skills that generates the most opportunities and reinforces employability,” according to Minh Tran, EF's director of research.