English fluency varies dramatically around the globe. A recent ranking spotlights 11 nations where English is spoken with exceptional competence—whether as a first or additional language. These countries combine strong education systems, media access, and cultural emphasis on global communication to produce fluent English speakers.
Here are the 11 leading countries known for high English fluency:
- The Netherlands
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
- Finland
- Singapore
- The Philippines
- Austria
- Belgium
- Germany
- Portugal
These nations outperform many others, especially in regions where English is not the primary language. Their success is largely rooted in quality English language education, widespread media consumption in English, and integration of English into business, media, and daily life.
Europe features heavily on the list, with multiple Nordic and central European nations proving that non-native English speakers can reach very high fluency. In Asia, Singapore and the Philippines stand out thanks to multilingual policies and long histories of English usage.
Across all these countries, the consistent patterns are early English education, exposure through media (film, television, internet), and practical usage in business and academia. These elements together create environments where English becomes a natural, functional part of everyday life—even when it isn’t the mother tongue.
