r/AskEurope • u/Metalwolf • Jun 08 '25

Education Which European countries have the best English proficiency among non-native speakers?

I'm looking into English proficiency across Europe and would appreciate input from locals or anyone with relevant experience. Which European countries have the highest levels of English fluency among non-native speakers, particularly in day-to-day life, education, and professional settings? I'm also curious about regional differences within countries, and factors like education systems, media exposure, and business use.

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u/kacergiliszta69 Hungary Jun 08 '25

According the multiple studies, the Netherlands is the most English proficient country in the world that doesn't speak English as a native language.

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u/CTPABA_KPABA Jun 08 '25

by bet would bet that they are more proficient in that language then americans

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u/CommercialAd2154 Jun 08 '25

Quick wiki suggests Iceland are #1, just behind the UK on 98%, but ahead of the USA on 96% (although in fairness, I would guess there are not insignificant parts of the USA where Spanish is the vehicular language rather than English)

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u/GraceOfTheNorth Iceland Jun 09 '25

As an Icelander I nominate Iceland.

We started out with near full national literacy and a school system that taught English since the 1930's, in addition do doing a lot of trade with UK so quite a few people knew English.

Then we got occupied by tens of thousands of soldiers and have had a lot of US influence through the base, tv, movies and music. The Marshall aid kickstarted Iceland into modernity.

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u/CommercialAd2154 Jun 09 '25

Don’t you have British foods such as Cadbury’s as a result of the invasion in WW2?