Japan’s English Proficiency Hits Record Low: Exam Focus and Lack of Early Immersion to Blame
Japan’s 2024 English proficiency ranking plummeted to a record low of 92nd out of 116 countries, marking a continued decline since 2011. This drop, based on EF Education First’s index using data from 2.1 million test-takers, reveals stagnant English skills among Japanese youth compared to global growth. The Netherlands led the rankings, highlighting a significant gap between Japan and other high-performing nations, particularly in Europe. The representative suggested that Japan’s relative decline may stem from a failure to keep pace with global improvements rather than an absolute decrease in proficiency.
John Q. Hosedrinker