TOKYO -- Japan ranked a record low 92nd in the 2024 English proficiency ranking of 116 countries and regions where English is not the native language, the Japanese subsidiary of a Swiss international education company announced on Nov. 13.

Japan's ranking is the lowest on record, down from the previous year's 87th place. According to the Japanese subsidiary of EF Education First, which operates study abroad programs, the English proficiency of young people in the country is stagnant compared to other countries and regions.

The EF English Proficiency Index is considered the world's largest international index of English skills. The latest ranking is based on the results of the company's tests, which were taken by approximately 2.1 million people in various countries and regions in 2023, with the highest score being 800 points.

The average index for all test takers was 477 points, while Japan's index was 454 points. The ranking of the country has declined every year since the survey began in 2011.

In an analysis by age, the index for those aged 18 to 25 in Japan was much lower than the overall average, compared to those aged 26 and older, who are likely to use English more frequently at work. This is believed to be due to reasons including a decrease in motivation to communicate and learn due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Netherlands topped the ranking for the sixth consecutive year, and with the exception of Singapore, which came in third, the top 10 places were occupied by European countries. Among other Asian countries, the Philippines and Malaysia followed in 22nd and 26th places, respectively.

A representative from the subsidiary speculated that "it may not be that English skills are declining in Japan, but that the country can't keep up with the growth in proficiency in other countries and regions."

(Japanese original by Buntaro Saito, Tokyo City News Department)