Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan ranked 98th out of 116 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) for 2024, with a score of 439 points, which is three points lower than the previous year.

As a result, Uzbekistan is categorized among countries with very low English proficiency.

In 2023, Uzbekistan ranked 93rd among 113 countries and regions.

The top countries in the ranking with non-English native populations remain the Netherlands (very high proficiency), followed by Norway, Singapore, Sweden, and Croatia. Yemen holds the lowest position.

Among the former Soviet Union countries, none are in the very high proficiency category. Estonia (20th place) and Lithuania (23rd place) showed a high level of proficiency. Countries with an average level of proficiency include Georgia (34th), Belarus (35th), Armenia (38th), Moldova (39th), Ukraine (40th), and Russia (44th).

Countries with low English proficiency include Azerbaijan (86th) and Kyrgyzstan (88th). In addition to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan (103rd) and Tajikistan (109th) are in the very low proficiency category.

Interestingly, Afghanistan, which ranks 95th, has a higher level of English proficiency than Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has participated in the EF EPI since 2018, when it ranked 86th out of 88 countries. In 2019, it dropped to 95th place out of 100, improved to 88th out of 99 in 2020, and maintained that position in 2021 among 112 countries. In 2022, Uzbekistan dropped to 89th place out of 111 countries, and in 2023, it moved to 93rd out of 113.

Regionally, the highest English proficiency is found in Tashkent region, with Andijan leading among cities, while Tashkent holds second place.

The highest proficiency was observed among people aged 31 to 40.

No significant differences in English proficiency levels were found between men and women.