Rotterdam comes out tops: best command of English as a second language

Rotterdam’s citizens have the best command of English as a second language in the world. The city earned this leading position in the most recent EF English Proficiency Index, an annual survey of English language proficiency worldwide.

A total of 2.3 million people around the world took part in the survey. EF included exactly 100 countries and over 400 cities and regions across the globe. Of all the countries surveyed, the Netherlands scored highest, with 70.27 out of 100 points – equivalent to proficiency level B2.

The Netherlands has consistently been found in the survey’s Top 3 since 2011. In 2016 and 2017, the Dutch also headed the ranking when it came to speaking English as a second language. This year, Libya brings up the rear, with a score of only 40.87 points out of 100.

The highest-scoring city within the Netherlands is Rotterdam, with 71.68 points. According to local broadcaster RTV Rijnmond, EF has an explanation for this impressive total: “The city on the Maas has been receiving ships from all over the world for centuries, is home to major international firms, and the international degree programmes at Erasmus University contribute to solid English proficiency.” Hot on Rotterdam’s heels are the cities of Amsterdam (71.35) and The Hague (71.27).