Morocco continues to lag behind globally when it comes to English proficiency, according to the 2025 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index. With a score of 492, the country ranks 68th in the world, placing it in the “low proficiency” category. Although Morocco has improved slightly—climbing 13 points compared to the previous year—that gain hasn’t been enough to catch up with Africa’s more English-fluent nations like South Africa or Zambia, which remain significantly ahead.
Beneath the overall score, regional and skill-based disparities paint a more nuanced picture. Reading comprehension in Morocco is relatively stronger at 532, but listening skills fall short at just 460. Writing and speaking abilities hover around 491, indicating a persistent struggle when it comes to actively using the language. This suggests that while passive understanding is improving, active communication remains a major hurdle.
Within Africa, Morocco ranks tenth and holds the second spot in North Africa, behind Tunisia. Domestically, the Fès-Meknès region leads with a score of 502, followed by Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra. Marrakech-Safi takes fifth place, while Drâa-Tafilalet comes in last.
At the city level, Rabat stands out as a leader with a score of 517, outperforming both Fès and Benguerir. Casablanca, often viewed as the country’s economic hub, lands squarely in the national average at 503—well below the top-performing capitals on the continent. Meanwhile, Nador and Ouarzazate recorded the weakest results.
The report also highlights notable differences across professions. Human resources, IT, and research and development professionals posted the highest scores, well above the national average. On the other end of the spectrum, technicians, accountants, marketers, and even teachers ranked among the lowest, raising questions about how English is integrated into professional training and daily work environments.
Perhaps most concerning is the performance of students. Their average score of just 473 reveals deep-rooted issues within the education system, especially in preparing young people for a labor market where English proficiency is increasingly non-negotiable. The gap is not only academic—it could have long-term economic implications if left unaddressed.
Globally, the Netherlands once again tops the proficiency index, followed by Austria, Germany, Norway, and Portugal. The vast distance between Morocco and these top-tier countries underscores just how far the nation still has to go to meet international benchmarks.
One of the key shortcomings identified in the study is the lack of focus on speaking skills, which are still excluded from Morocco’s national exams. The report calls for a sweeping overhaul of English education across the country. Among the proposed solutions: investing in continuous teacher training, modernizing teaching methods, and placing greater emphasis on real-world language use over rote memorization.
