Relationship between English proficiency and socioeconomic status in Asia: Quantitative cross‐national analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between English language proficiency and socioeconomic status (ELP–SES relationship) through a quantitative cross‐national analysis of 30 jurisdictions in Asia. It aims to uncover the degrees and patterns of the ELP–SES relationship by analysing AsiaBarometer surveys conducted in the mid‐2000s. Specifically, it assesses how English proficiency correlates with seven demographic and SES factors: generation, gender, education, occupational status (employment status and job categories), economic status, and residential location. Through cross‐tabulation and hierarchical cluster analyses, it was found that although a clear and close connection between English proficiency and SES exists in most parts of Asia, the extent and pattern of this connection significantly vary across jurisdictions. The most pronounced correlations, or English divides, were observed in former British and American territories and in less developed countries, while Central Asia and Japan showed relatively smaller correlations. Additionally, the degree and pattern observed did not always align with previous findings from case studies.