(Yicai Global) Nov. 10 -- The EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) test, in which more than one million people participated from 80 non-English speaking countries, was released on November 8.

The English proficiency of the Dutch ranked first among the 80 surveyed countries and regions. The proficiency level of English in China has steadily risen, ranking 36th place, reaching its highest level since 2011, online news media The Paper reported.

Shanghai's English proficiency level continues to lead the nation. The top three Chinese cities with the highest English language proficiency are Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing.

The report affirms the progress China has made in improving adult English in the past five years. China's overall English proficiency scored 52.45 points this year, ranking 36th place, three places higher than its ranking last year, reaching the highest level since the index was released in 2011, but still at a low proficiency level in general. In terms of regional rankings in the country, Shanghai leads the nation and over 80 percent of provincial and municipalities' English skills have improved over last year, with Fujian entering the mid-proficiency level for the first time. Thanks to the government's pragmatic education reform and active and open international exchanges, China is gradually teaching English with a more communication-oriented approach. The subtle changes in English proficiency also reflect the achievements of education, personnel and investment promotion policies in various regions.

An in-depth analysis of English proficiency in Africa is also given for the first time based on the 2017 EF EPI. In terms of regions, Europe continues to hold the leading position, ranking first, followed by Asia. Latin Americans are catching up with Asia year by year. The Middle East has the lowest English proficiency. In terms of countries, the Netherlands ranked first with 71.45 points, while Sweden and Denmark ranked second and third with 70.40 and 69.93, respectively, the report said.

EF English Proficiency Index develops a series of English tests each year with hundreds of thousands of adults around the world participating. Reports have been compiled from the previous year's results and published regularly every year since 2011. Research shows that the level of English correlates with economic competitiveness, social development and innovation. Countries with high English proficiency have higher average income, quality of life, and research and development investment.

EF English Proficiency Index research reports also include an Enterprise Edition and a Student Edition. The second edition of EF EPI-s was also released, which tested the English proficiency of secondary school students and college students from 26 countries and regions.