Panama  remains near the bottom of the class when it comes to English language proficiency making the improvement of teaching essential to maintain its competitiveness and strengthen its human capital.

According to the English Proficiency Index, - carried out by Education First (EF) an international education body  Panama occupies the 64th position of 100 economies that were evaluated worldwide.

The country obtained a rating of 49.6 and is located in the group with low English skills in a labor market that demands the command of the English language for 75% of the places.

In Latin America it is 15^th out of 19  listed countries. 

To obtain the results of the survey, a sample of 2.3 million people was taken. "In order to evaluate a country, at least 400 people had to take the test," said Leonor Martínez, general manager of EF Panama.

"In a country like Panama - Hub of the Americas and its strategic location - we are surprised by the results," said the executive.

The low command of the English language among Panamanians reduces the competitiveness of the country, which  is  a largely service and transit economy, the study points out.