Belgium, formerly among the ten best-performing European countries in English, is falling out of the top 10 this year, reveals the annual ranking of Education First (EF) published this Wednesday. This fall, marked by a general decline in the level of proficiency in English, places Belgium in 11th place in Europe, thus threatening its economic competitiveness in an increasingly demanding international context.
The English Proficiency Index (EPI) released by Education First (EF) this Wednesday shows a marked decline in the level of English proficiency in Belgium. Started in recent years, the fall is accelerating. Our country falls from the 6th at 11th place in Europe. The study, which analyzes the performance of more than 2.1 million participants in EF Standard English Test (EF SET) in 116 different countries, points to significant disparities nationally and globally.
Flanders, which has long displayed superior mastery of English, has seen its level drop by 7 points, according to the Index. Despite this, the Flemings remain in the lead compared to the Walloons, whose level is lower. However, some improvements are emerging: Antwerp, the only city making progress, ranks first, while Hainaut displays the best French-speaking performance, gaining 5 points. On the other hand, the province of Luxembourg recorded a worrying drop of 25 points, placing it in last national rank. The English proficiency gap between Wallonia and Flanders remains significant, now exceeding 125 points.
The level of young people aged 18 to 20 is in free fall
The results of the ranking carried out by the EF, specializing in language stays, also highlight a pronounced decline in the level of English among young Belgians, particularly in the 18-20 year old group, which has lost 27 points since 2021. This weakening could be a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, having limited immersive learning opportunities and disrupted language teaching. This deficit among young people could pose a serious problem for the future, because they form the next generation of professionals likely to participate in international dynamics.
However, one positive point emerges from the study: the English proficiency gap between men and women has narrowed, with both groups now displaying similar scores. Among those over 41, women obtain a better score than men, while among those aged 21-25, the gap remains marginal. These results reflect progress in terms of skills equality, although overall levels remain worrying.
A challenge for innovation and the Belgian economy
This decline in English proficiency could affect key sectors of our country, such as research, technology, and international trade, warns Education First (EF). Kate Bell, head of evaluation at the organization, emphasizes: “Innovation and research rely on the rapid flow of ideas and information. With English as the dominant global language, low levels of English proficiency can become a real barrier to career progression and a country’s economic performance. »
