The Swiss speak worse English than most in Europe, writes the Sonntagszeitung newspaper.

Switzerland came only 23rd in Europe last year in the English Proficiency Index of EF language school. Young people are less proficient than older people, women less than men, it found. Top of the ranking is the Netherlands, followed by Singapore and Austria. Scandinavian countries also do well.

Out of 111 countries worldwide Switzerland came 29th, directly behind Serbia and Nigeria, just ahead of Argentina and Hong Kong.