English Proficiency Test Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (IELTS, TOEFL, others), By Application (Academic institutions, immigration, job seekers) And Regional Forecast to 2034

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ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST MARKET OVERVIEW

The global english proficiency test market is anticipated to witness consistent growth at USD 2.46 billion in 2025, reaching USD 4.12 billion by 2034 at CAGR 5.89% during the forecast period.

The market for English Proficiency Tests is a thriving international industry dedicated to measuring individuals' capacity to communicate in English. Such tests, common ones being IELTS and TOEFL, have numerous purposes, such as academic admissions, immigration needs, and employment qualifications. With English remaining the leading language for overseas business, education, and tourism, the need for these proficiency tests is gradually building up globally. Technological innovations and digitalization have also contributed to how these tests are made accessible and delivered, with online test platforms increasingly in use. This has facilitated participation from test-takers across various regions, driving the market growth. Additionally, populous nations seeking to study or work abroad, particularly in areas such as Asia, are among the primary drivers of increased volumes of tests. The market has challenges in ensuring test security and fairness in diverse cultural settings. Providers, though, innovate continually through adding fresh test formats and preparation aids to accommodate changing user requirements. Regional variation is significant, with North America and Europe being mature markets, and the fastest-growing region being Asia due to growing education and immigration needs. In total, the English Proficiency Test market will continue to go in a positive direction as globalization increases and the demand for authenticated language skills gets more and more important across industries.

GLOBAL CRISIS IMPACTING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MARKET

US TARIFF IMPACT

Primary Impact on the English Proficiency Market with Focus on its Relation to US Tariffs

Although the United States’ tariffs may not specifically concern the English Proficiency Test Market, their impact on the economy may still influence the domain in a number of ways. For example, tariffs placed on educational resources such as digital technologies or their components may lead to increased operational costs for institutions and test providers. This, in turn, may force them to charge higher test fees, which makes them less accessible to candidates. Additionally, vis-a-vis trade conflicts, there is the possibility of increased restrictions on visa policies or international students enrolling in US institutions, which may lead to reduced demand for English proficiency tests—usually mandated for study or work overseas. This may also lead to shifting preference towards other English-speaking countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia, which do not alter global demand but redistribute it. Furthermore, increased costs of maintaining a digital infrastructure may lead to slower expansion of online testing platforms, decreasing access in some areas. In conclusion, it can be said that US Tariffs are not an immediate or primary factor influencing the English Proficiency Test Market, but are capable of Primary factors impacting pricing, accessibility, and regional focus tend to be overshadowed by these secondary influences.

LATEST TREND

AI Integration Revolutionizing the English Proficiency Test Market

The usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in English proficiency testing is well covered by various industry market research and academic bodies. As indicated in Technavio reports, the market for English digital language learning is set to expand considerably due to AI adaptive testing, along with automated scoring systems, which offer quicker and more accurate evaluations. AI is now being used by organizations like ETS (Educational Testing Service), which administers TOEFL, and Pearson, which provides PTE, to facilitate acceleration in test accuracy and delivery. Additionally, there are efficiency gains in AI chatbot assessment delivery used in places like South Australia. The combination of AI with language testing has been identified as an advancing force changing the scope of technologies employed for teaching and assessing languages around the world, and these claims are backed by market reports and trends from companies like Technavio, ETS, and Pearson.

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ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST MARKET SEGMENTATION

Based On Types

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): IELTS is a widely accepted test of English ability globally with extensive applications in educational admissions, immigration, and professional licensure. It measures four fundamental language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—and is valued for its balanced testing system of real-world English ability to communicate. It comes in academic and general training modules, and it is versatile to meet the requirements of different candidates.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): TOEFL is internationally accepted by universities, particularly in North America, as a measure of academic English proficiency. It is targeting academic English and is favored by foreign higher education-seeking students. The internet-based test mode (TOEFL iBT) permits standardized, steady measurement of listening, reading, writing, and speaking ability and provides rich information about academic preparedness.

• Other Tests (e.g., Cambridge English Exams, Duolingo English Test): It provides a portfolio of proficiency tests by purposes and markets. Cambridge English Exams are well known for their wide scope of testing and lifetime value of certification. Duolingo English Test, which is high in its potential to be completely online and low in cost, is increasing very rapidly in use by remote test takers and institutions adopting digital solutions. It addresses niche segments like flexible schedules for tests and next-generation digital delivery.

Based On Applications

• Academic Institutions: The sector has a heavy dependence on English skill tests as an important requirement for school, college, and university admissions, especially among non-native speakers. IELTS and TOEFL tests are relied upon by academic institutions globally to check a student's potential for comprehending and participating in scholarly classwork in English. This application focuses on general language skills geared towards classroom needs.

• Immigration: English language proficiency scores are utilized by governments of nations like Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand in immigration and visa procedures. Such a type is interested in the candidate's capacity to perform in public contexts, workplaces, and civic engagements. Immigration tests prioritize general language proficiency compared to academic intensity.

• Job Seekers: English proficiency is the prime condition in terms of a job, namely, multinationals or foreign employment. Employers apply scores from tests to guarantee that the applicants can converse fluently at work. Workplace ability, clarity of communication, and compliance with orders in English are the areas of emphasis in this section.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities, and challenges, stating the market conditions.

Driving Factors

Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Language Testing

Among the major drivers driving the English Proficiency Test Market growth is the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI-scoring platforms—such as those employed by TOEFL and IELTS provide faster, more standardized, and bias-free evaluations of speaking, writing, grammar, and pronunciation. Such innovations not only shorten the time for evaluation (typically less than 48 hours) but also remove human bias. Adaptive testing, made possible through AI, changes the difficulty of questions in real time depending on the test-taker's response, yielding a better measure of competence. AI-based chatbots such as South Australia's EdChat are also revolutionizing learning by cutting by several orders of magnitude the time spent by students in taking tests. Though AI is leading the way with greater accuracy and personalization in language testing, governments and institutions are also quickly embracing these solutions, and AI emerges as a central cornerstone to market development.

Growing Global Mobility for Learning and Work

Globalization and internationalization of education and labor markets are prompting millions to find opportunities overseas, thus generating a demand for English language proficiency certification. English-language schools demand IELTS and TOEFL tests as prerequisites for admission, and also immigration standards in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the UK require proof of language. Multinational corporations are also placing greater emphasis on good English communication skills, particularly in outsourced employees and customer service positions. This increasing mobility across borders for work and study at the skill level is compelling increasing numbers of test-takers from across the globe, notably from growing markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Governments' attempts to upskill citizens as well as increase employability are compelling the industry as well. English certification thus becomes a gateway to global opportunity.

Restraining Factor

High Cost and Limited Accessibility in the Third World

One of the key issues of growth for the English Proficiency Test Market is the extremely high price and low affordability of tests like IELTS and TOEFL, particularly in third-world nations. Sitting for these tests might be anywhere from $150 to $250, which is an economic expense too expensive for students and workers from poor backgrounds. Besides this, the absence of examination centers in rural and remote areas forces most candidates to undertake lengthy voyages at extra cost and organizational hassle. These deter people from demonstrating their English ability as well as reinforce existing socio-economic disadvantages, restricting access to international education and employment opportunities.

AI-Powered Personalization and Remote Testing Enhancement

Opportunity

The fusion of AI and increased remote testing holds enormous promise in the English Proficiency Test Market Share. With the continually advancing AI-based technology, tests like TOEFL and IELTS increasingly rely on machine learning for adaptive testing, scoring, and personalized feedback. It provides candidates with a more tailored and efficient test experience, improving satisfaction and accessibility. In addition, remote proctoring has made it possible for test-takers to sit for tests at home, obviating geography and infrastructure constraints. Aside from being appealing to working professionals and rural students, it also presents new sources of revenue for test providers. Most significantly, increased global English proficiency is needed in academic recruitment, immigration, and global work compels this prospect. With enterprises and learning institutions focusing on digital transformation, AI and online testing can help firms grow their products, access untapped customers, and emerge as leaders in the future English Proficiency Test Market Share.

Guaranteeing Test Security and Integrity in Remote Environments

Challenge

Maintaining the integrity and security of the test in remote locations is a significant concern for the English language test market. The more testing shifts online and into the home, particularly since the pandemic, cheating, impersonation, or abuse of AI technology is more difficult to detect. Remote monitoring and proctoring software have been brought into play, but these are privacy concerns and not always foolproof. This validates the test results, which are typically utilized for high-stakes functions like university admissions, visa issuance, and employment placement. Last but not least, the implementation of fairness among regions with different levels of digital access and internet stability contributes to the complexity. The tension between accessibility and test integrity is a constant burden on testing organizations.

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ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America

North America, and the US in specific, holds great importance in the English Proficiency Test market since it represents a global education as well as an employment hub. The United States English Proficiency Market is controlled by foreign student university admissions, immigration policies, and corporate organization hiring demands. Large test providers handle tests like ETS (TOEFL), Pearson (PTE), and IELTS USA, which handle a large part of their business in the region, particularly in the United States and Canada. Among the major market trends is increased demand for electronic and home-based testing solutions due to the convenience and accessibility factor, especially in a post-pandemic era. Employers and institutions are increasingly turning towards flexible, web-based modes of testing English ability. Furthermore, the government's skilled migration policy continues to create high-level, sustained demand for English language certification. The United States English Proficiency Market is also a premier testing venue for Latin American business professionals and students, which enhances its international significance. North America is also at the forefront of leveraging the use of AI and adaptive testing technologies, hence one of the most technologically advanced and innovation-driven markets in the global English Proficiency Test Market.

• Europe

Europe is a significant site for English language capability because of its multilingual environment and emphasis on learning and global mobility. Nations such as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and France have a consistent need for English language capability, primarily from students who wish to learn in universities with English-medium studies and business professionals seeking employment that involves English communication. Even in countries where English is not the native language, employers and institutions view English proficiency as a doorway to career opportunity and global possibilities. The UK is still a center for English testing and language studies, drawing enormous volumes of foreign students each year. Over recent years, internet and computer testing of English has gained widespread popularity across Europe due to ease and greater accessibility, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Immigration policy, specifically post-Brexit UK reforms, has placed an extra strain on the role of English language proficiency as a key criterion for visa applications and high-skilled workers. European programs that foster cross-border mobility of education and labor continue to reinforce the value of English proficiency. As technology is increasingly utilized in language testing and training, Europe is still a vibrant and changing market for English ability.

• Asia

Asia is among the fastest-growing English-speaking regions, driven by its vast pool of population, competitive education sector, and increasing contribution to the international labor force. China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines are all experiencing increased demand for English speakers. In India and China's highly competitive employment sectors, English expertise has emerged as a passport to enhanced career prospects, overseas education, and emigration. English testing is also used as an extra prerequisite for foreign-student applicants hailing from countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Standardized English tests like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are therefore in great demand across the region. Digitalization is changing the methods through which people in Asia are learning and sitting for English exams at a frightening pace. Internet-based learning platforms, computer-based learning programs, and web-based test-taking tools are becoming increasingly popular among youth and technology-endowed groups. South Korean and Japanese governments are also hopping aboard with the incorporation of English testing within education and employment policies, thus supporting the trend further. Apart from that, the Philippines' offshoring and BPO industries increase demand for greater English language capability as foreign customer interactions still top the agenda. The size of the Asian population and its growing acceptability of doing business and learning globally positions it at the frontline and highly dynamic English language capability industry globally.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

The English Proficiency Test industry is fueled by a combination of traditional institutions and Internet-age online platforms competing regionally. The Duolingo and Educational Testing Service (ETS) dominate North America with widely used tests such as TOEFL and AI-driven Duolingo English Test that meet the educational and work requirements of millions. The United Kingdom is at the forefront of Europe's market presence, with heritage organizations like the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, and Pearson ELT establishing world benchmarks in English language assessment and teaching. Other top European participants include SANAKO of Finland, which develops language laboratory technology, and Inlingua International Ltd. of Switzerland, providing multilingual learning services. Asia-Pacific is represented by IDP Education of Australia, a joint owner of the IELTS test and key shareholder in student placement and English testing services worldwide. McGraw-Hill Education and Berlitz Corporation in the U.S. also contribute in the form of education publishing and corporate language training solutions. These players are leaders in innovation in terms of AI integration, online test platforms, remote proctoring solutions, and scalable test designs, serving increasing global demand for accessible, reliable, and standard English language testing.

List Of Top English Proficiency Test Market Companies

• British Council (UK)
• Educational Testing Service (USA)
• Cambridge Assessment English (UK)
• IDP Education (Australia), Duolingo (USA)
• Inlingua International Ltd. (Switzerland)
• McGraw-Hill Education (USA)
• Pearson ELT (UK)
• SANAKO (Finland)
• Berlitz Corporation (USA)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

JUNE 2025: For the first time in the world, South Australia is officially leading the way in to first use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assess students, with the AI utilized solely to determine the English capability of migrant students. The AI was created with Microsoft as part of the EdChat chatbot and can conduct tests in 52 seconds, taking over a traditionally handwritten 30-minute task typically conducted by teachers. This program helps to lighten the workload of teachers and direct their time toward teaching instead of administrative work. The 2022 initiative places South Australia as a national and international leader in education and AI.

REPORT COVERAGE

As the pace of technology advances, increasing global demand for English ability, and ongoing innovations in test delivery, the English Proficiency Test market in the world is transforming at a fundamental level. Modern testing patterns, including AI-powered evaluation and online platforms, are revolutionizing the process of measuring language capability, making tests more accessible, accurate, and tailored. Large players are aggressively investing in new technologies and expanding their footprint, with North America and Europe currently leading as a result of established infrastructure in education and widespread English use. Asia-Pacific is expanding rapidly, fueled by growing student, professional, and corporate demands to compete globally. While opportunities abound, so do challenges in the market to make tests safe, equitable in multicultural populations, and responsive to changing trends in language learning. Growth still has room, though, with artificial intelligence-based scoring, blended test models, and more collaboration between governments and educational institutions. With a more globalized environment, the English Proficiency Test market will continue to grow by bringing in innovation, strategic partnerships, and user experience to address learners' needs globally.