Cambodia Hits Lowest Rank in Global English Index, Malaysia leads the Asia region
Cambodia has been ranked bottom of the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, placing 123rd out of 123 countries with a score of 390. The Netherlands topped the table with 624 points, underscoring the gulf between nations at the highest and lowest ends of the scale.
The report shows Cambodia’s strongest skills were in writing (394) and listening (393), while reading proved the weakest area at 368. Speaking scored 386. Despite global demand for English remaining steady, the study noted that progress in Cambodia has stalled.
Across Asia, Malaysia led the region at 24th place with 581 points, followed by the Philippines (28th, 569) and Hong Kong (39th, 538). By contrast, Cambodia joined Thailand, Myanmar and Afghanistan in the “very low proficiency” category.
Pa Chanroeun, President of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, said the results were unsurprising given the lack of improvement in national exam scores over the past decade. He highlighted widespread failures in English exams, with some centres recording near-total failure rates. “Only a small percentage of high school students can use their English knowledge for daily practice,” he said, attributing the problem to poor teaching quality.
Chanroeun noted a growing trend of students enrolling in private part-time classes, but urged systemic reform. “Cambodia should score English as a second language. This is the best way to develop human resources,” he said, pointing to Vietnam’s plan to prioritise English from 2035.
A study by the Cambodia Education Forum added that Chinese is often valued more highly than English due to stronger job prospects, particularly in the garment sector. It also cited shortages of basic teaching tools and low teacher pay as barriers to progress.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has pledged reforms under its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, promising quality, equitable and inclusive education. Whether these measures will lift Cambodia from the bottom of the global rankings remains to be seen.
source: https://aseannow.com/topic/1380589-cambodia-hits-lowest-rank-in-global-english-index/
