The data comes from the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) report - which analyses data from more than 2.1 million non-native English speakers in 116 countries and regions.

EF data also reveals a new trend among Portuguese people over 50: travelling abroad to learn English.

“The oldest person to travel with EF to learn English, in 2024, was an 85-year-old woman. We also had a couple who were both over eighty. In general, students over 50 years old either travel alone or with a group of friends. There are people who prefer to go to London, others to Malta, others to Rome, others to New York... This new reality can be explained by the growing desire of the Portuguese to enjoy new experiences and invest in their personal development”, explains Constança Oliveira e Sousa, director of EF in Portugal.

According to the language school, the demand for English study programs among adults over 50 has increased significantly in recent years in Portugal. “Last year, 4% of interested students were in this age group, while in 2018, before the pandemic, they represented much less. This continuous growth represents an increase of 152% since 2018 and 33% compared to the previous year”, says the head of EF in Portugal.

Portugal rises in the “ranking” of speaking English

In Portugal, adults aged 21 to 30 are those who best master the English language, while proficiency among adults over 41 registered a slight drop, in 2024, according to data from the EF EPI, launched this week.

The annual English Proficiency Report reveals a global downward trend in English proficiency around the world, highlighting gaps especially among men and young adults. However, on the world stage, Portugal appears as an exception, reaching a new record position in this year's index.

Braga is the city and district where English is best spoken. The capital of Minho receives this double distinction for the first time, after last year coming in second place, behind Coimbra.

The student city occupies second place this year, followed by Lisbon, which this year returns to the top three Portuguese cities where English is spoken best.

Portugal occupies 6th place in the world ranking of English proficiency, showing the national commitment to mastering English. An achievement that represents the country's best performance in the English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), and which shows a continuous pattern of learning among the Portuguese.