Top 10 countries Brits rarely visit because they 'don't speak English'

British holidaymakers often steer clear of countries with the "worst" English proficiency in the world. A study by language school EF Education First revealed the 10 countries that do not have a proper grasp of the English language – and that is likely to influence many Brits' decisions on where to travel abroad.

EF's English Proficiency Index ranked 116 countries based on the results of 2.1 million EF Standard English Tests, with up to 800 points up for grabs to the countries that speak the best English.

The Netherlands topped the list with a score of 636, ahead of Norway (610) and Singapore (609). The country with the worst English skills in the world is Yemen, although the country has been ravaged by a deadly civil war since 2014. The top 10 worst countries are listed below, along with official travel advice.

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The scores don't reflect the English skills of everyone in a country, but rather they give an idea of how popular English is. According to EF, countries with better English proficiency tend to have more human capital, global innovation, talent competitiveness and productivity.

However, EF did warn that the number of people speaking English worldwide did drop considerably, with 60 per cent of countries scoring lower scores in the 2024 index (the most recent available) compared to 2023. It added: "Although almost all of these national score changes are small, the downward trend appears to indicate a slackening of interest in developing English proficiency beyond current levels in many parts of the world."

For most Brits, considering the amount of English spoken in the country you're thinking of visiting is crucial. One fifth of the UK population (20 per cent) said they can speak a second language fluently, according to a recent YouGov poll.

Remarkably, only 18 per cent of adults were adamant they did not want to learn a second language. When asked why, 28 per cent said it was a case of "feeling that they do not need to know any other language", while 12 per cent explicitly stated "English is the only language you need".

In 2016, Britain was given the infamous title of "worst language learning nation in Europe". More than a third (35 per cent) of people polled by the language learning app Memrise found it to be the worst country to communicate in any other language apart from their mother tongue.

Despite this, experts recommended this crucial travel tip: bone up on another language and stop expecting the world to speak English. Travel writer Caterina Hrysomallis once told Lonely Planet warned: "Making absolutely no effort to learn another country's language while travelling has the potential to create greater divisions. Travelling should be about forming new connections and creating positive experiences, not ignorance and entitlement."

Top 10 countries with little or no English

10. Iraq (414/800 points)

Out of 800, the Middle Eastern country scored 414 points in EF's Proficiency Index. An escalation in tensions between the West and the Middle East resulted in travel restrictions in the region. Iraq is no exception, with the UK Foreign Office advising against all travel for most of the country, while some regions and cities including the capital Baghdad remain open only to essential travel.

9. Benin (413/800 points)

Considered as the birthplace of the spiritual practice of Vodou, the African country is described as having "luscious natural surroundings, beautiful beaches and unique markets". Most of the country is generally considered safe to travel in, except for the northern border region with Burkina Faso and Niger, where the Foreign Office warned of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.

8. Tajikistan (412/800 points)

Despite its low English proficiency, the central Asian country is a haven for hikers and mountain climbers, with its snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring rock formations and vast lakes making for a jaw dropping expedition. The Foreign Office has no travel warnings for Tajikistan, but did say its borders with neighbouring countries "can close without notice and some borders may not be open to foreign travellers".

7. Angola (409/800 points)

The west African nation is one of the continent's biggest oil producers, but it appears off limits to all but the boldest travellers due to its strict visa rules. Tourists need a visa that must be used within 60 days of being issued and it grants them a stay of up to 30 days.

6. Cambodia (408/800 points)

The Far Eastern country is a backpacker's paradise, with landmarks such as Angkor Wat and the Royal Palace in the capital Phnom Penh consistently drawing in visitors. It's also considered one of the world's friendliest places. So it's surprising to see Cambodia far down the list of countries with little proficiency in English.

5. Libya (405/800 points)

The north African country has suffered political instability, civil wars and infighting ever since former leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted from power and killed. As a result, the Foreign Office has advised against all travel there, with the cities of Benghazi and Misrata the only exceptions (for essential travel).

4. Rwanda (401/800 points)

The country's recent history has been grim to say the least, with the 1994 genocide killing around 800,000 people in 100 days. Nonetheless, the country is dubbed the "Land of a Thousand Hills" by Lonely Planet, given its beautiful parks – particularly Volcanoes National Park – rolling hills and tea plantations. It's generally considered a safe country, though the Foreign Office advises against travelling to regions near the DR Congo border, where there has been conflict in recent months.

3. Cote d'Ivoire (399/800 points)

Despite the lack of English, this former French colony in Africa boasts "starfish-studded sands, palm-tree forests and roads so orange they resemble strips of bronzing powder", according to Lonely Planet. Most of the country is considered safe to travel, but the Foreign Office urged against going to the regions bordering Mali and Burkina Faso owing to an increased risk of terrorist attacks and kidnaps.

2. Somalia (399/800 points)

An ongoing civil war, high crime rates and piracy has made this country on the Horn of Africa practically unsafe for foreigners. Despite Lonely Planet claiming the capital Mogadishu is experiencing an investment boom to try and lure foreigners back, the Foreign Office urged Brits not to travel to Somalia at all. The only region open is in the north, close to the border with Djibouti and Ethiopia, but only for essential travel.

1. Yemen (394/800 points)

The most tragic case of all, the Middle Eastern country has been decimated by years of civil unrest and conflict, while ongoing tensions between the rebel Houthis, the Yemeni government and US threaten the country's future further. Its infrastructure is almost non-existent with one in four schools being destroyed and two million children out of education, according to Unicef. Foreign Office advice is clear: do not travel to the country at all.