Surabaya: The City with the Most English-Proficient Citizens

According to the Education First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), Surabaya is the city with the highest English proficiency among its citizens in Indonesia.

Surabaya achieved the highest English proficiency index score in Indonesia, scoring 546 points in the 2022 EF EPI.

Jakarta ranked second with a score of 523 points, followed by Balikpapan and Bandung with 514 and 508 points respectively.

The EF EPI score is calculated based on the results of English proficiency tests from respondents in each city. The test uses the EF Standard English Test (EF SET) system, which is freely accessible via efset.org.

"Only cities, regions, and countries with a minimum of 400 test participants are included in the index. However, in many cases, the number of test participants is much larger," stated the EF team in their report.

"Although the EF EPI test participant sample is biased, in terms of respondents interested in language learning and respondents of young adult age, this sample is overall balanced between male and female respondents and can represent adult language learners from various age ranges," said EF.

The maximum EF SET score is 800. This score achievement is divided into five English proficiency levels: very high (600-800 points), high (550-599), medium (500-549), low (450-499), and very low (<450).

The following is a complete list of the top 10 Indonesian cities with the highest English proficiency levels according to the 2022 EF EPI:

1. Surabaya: 546 points
2. Jakarta: 523 points
3. Balikpapan: 514 points
4. Bandung: 508 points
5. Pontianak: 504 points
6. Yogyakarta: 504 points
7. Malang: 490 points
8. Manado: 485 points
9. Bandar Lampung: 484 points
10. Denpasar: 482 points

Nationally, Indonesia's 2022 EF EPI score reached only 469, falling into the low proficiency category. This score placed Indonesia 81st out of 111 participating countries.

The Netherlands ranked first globally with an EF EPI score of 661 points and fell into the very high proficiency category.