In a globalized world, the adoption of a common language is inevitable.

Communication enables connection, accelerates innovation and facilitates understanding. In short, we need a shared language to work together. English is not the only option. At the risk of stating the obvious, cross-border trade in Latin America is largely conducted in Spanish and the Middle East trades mostly in Arabic, but a worldwide lingua franca is still necessary.

This explains the estimated 2.5 billion English speakers, of which only about 400 million were born into the language. People are learning English because it is useful to them.

For adults, English skills can be a driver for inclusion, enabling participation in professional development and leveling the playing field for those who come from different circumstances and backgrounds. It allows for international talent management and progression at an advanced level.

This report investigates how and where English proficiency is developing around the world. To create the 2021 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index, we have analyzed the results of two million adults who took our English tests in 2020.