Malaysia’s overall English proficiency continues to improve, with many regions showing strong command of the language. According to the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2024, an international ranking that assesses the English skills of adults in over 100 countries, Malaysia is making steady progress in its English-speaking abilities.
Interestingly, the state of Perak has emerged as the leader in English proficiency within Malaysia. Perak achieved the highest score in the country with 585 points, making it the top state where the population is most proficient in English.
Photo via Info Pelajar
Following closely behind is Kedah, which scored 583, placing it second in the nation. Meanwhile, Penang also scored 583, securing third place.
Other states with notable scores include Pahang and Sarawak (both at 580), Selangor (575), Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan (570 each), Terengganu (562), Johor (559), Sabah (553), and Melaka (550).
Looking at city rankings, Shah Alam leads the pack with an impressive score of 598, followed by Kota Bharu at 585 and the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, at 584.
These results highlight the diverse levels of English proficiency across Malaysia, reflecting both regional education efforts and exposure to the language. It also shows promising progress as the country continues to strengthen its English communication skills on the global stage.