EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Pakistan Edges Ahead of India in English Skills

Pakistan has been ranked above India in the latest EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2025, placing 67th out of 123 countries and regions with a score of 493, compared to India's 74th place and score of 484. Pakistan's score sits above the global average of 488, while India's falls below it. Both countries remain in the 'Low Proficiency' band, but the seven-place gap highlights a modest yet measurable edge for Pakistani test takers.

Pakistan outperformed India across all four measured skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The widest margin was in speaking, where Pakistan led by 17 points — the skill most often associated with accent and verbal fluency. Pakistan's score remained unchanged from the previous edition, while India's dropped by six points year-on-year.

Within South Asia, Pakistan ranked ahead of Sri Lanka (486) and Bhutan (473), but behind Nepal (514) and Bangladesh (506). The index measures how effectively people use English rather than how their accent sounds, so the data does not establish that any accent is superior — only that Pakistani test takers, on average, demonstrate slightly stronger practical command of the language.

The results carry economic weight. English proficiency is a key asset in freelancing, call-centre operations, IT exports and overseas employment — sectors where Pakistan and India often compete for the same international clients. According to the index, Pakistani professionals working in IT scored 504 and those in operations scored 515, while customer service workers recorded 486.

The findings are likely to be noted by policymakers and the technology sector, where English fluency is closely tied to export earnings and remote-work opportunities. While the overall proficiency band remains low, the comparative advantage over a major regional competitor offers a useful data point for workforce development and skills training discussions.