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.

 

-2025-12-03

Cambodia may be bottom, but Thailand with all its TEFL teachers just above at 116th!

 

• 113Benin(406)
• 115Saudi Arabia(404)
• 116Thailand(402)
• 117Yemen(402)
• 118Democratic Republic of Congo(400)
• 119Somalia(398)
• 120Togo(397)
• 121Libya(395)
• 122Côte d'Ivoire(393)
• 123Cambodia(390)

But what sets Cambodia apart from Thailand is that those businesses that cater to tourists do actually hire staff with adequate English language skills.

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

But what sets Cambodia apart from Thailand is that those businesses that cater to tourists do actually hire staff with adequate English language skills.

 

Very much so, and thanks.

 

There are many ads for Cambodian staff here on Facebook, especially in the tourist hotel, catering and travel industries, where not only are the ads in English but ädvantage to understand some English" is usually quoted, along with salary according to experience. 

 

Living in Cambodia for 6 years now, positions in tables are of no relevence to me, however from experience, what I will say is the generations of young Cambodians are far more fluent in English than their Thai counterparts and are often eager to speak some English words to you. Nothing like that during my 20 years living in Thailand.

My landlord has 3 children and they can all speak English, one fluently. They were taught in private schools by English language KHMER teachers - none of those ex-pat TEFL fraudsters!

maybe, but the kids there always impressed me with their english skills when i had to do a cambodia visa trip,

better than any other kids i encountered

On 12/3/2025 at 8:59 AM, geovalin said:

Cambodia has been ranked bottom of the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, placing 123rd out of 123 countries with a score of 390. 

 

Not my experience at all.

13 minutes ago, mordothailand said:

maybe, but the kids there always impressed me with their english skills when i had to do a cambodia visa trip,

better than any other kids i encountered

 

Not only they, but also some old geezers, striking up a conversation in good and easy to understand English... Personally, based on my experience, I would rank Cambodia ahead of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

52 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Living in Cambodia for 6 years now, positions in tables are of no relevence to me, however from experience, what I will say is the generations of young Cambodians are far more fluent in English than their Thai counterparts and are often eager to speak some English words to you.

 

That's been my experience from frequently visiting Cambodia as well. I've always thought competent English speakers are much rarer in Thailand than in Cambodia.