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Spain Stalls Near EU's Bottom in English as EF 2025 Ranks It 36th

The latest EF report underscores a persistent speaking gap that blunts on-the-job use of English in Spain.

Overview

  • Spain scores 540 in EF’s 2025 English Proficiency Index, placing it in the moderate band and ahead of only France, Cyprus and Italy within the EU.
  • Progress has largely flatlined since a 2014 peak of 550 points, with only slight improvement noted over the past two years.
  • Regional results vary widely: Galicia leads at 563, with La Rioja and Madrid close behind, while Castilla-La Mancha posts the lowest score at 509 alongside other trailing regions such as Extremadura, Andalucía and Murcia.
  • Adults aged 26–30 perform best at 575, whereas 18–25-year-olds have not recovered pre‑pandemic proficiency levels, according to the report.
  • The index reflects voluntary EF test-takers rather than the general population, and for the first time includes AI-based evaluation of speaking and writing.