Skills gap widespread; gender gap narrowing; youth proficiency low

ZURICH, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EF (Education First), a global provider of culturally immersive education, released the 2025 edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), the world’s most comprehensive annual ranking of adult English skills across 123 countries and regions.

“English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication. In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever,” said Kate Bell, EF EPI author.

The EF English Proficiency Index is an annual ranking of countries, regions and capital cities by English skills.

The EF EPI 2025 is based on data from 2.2 million EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET) test takers worldwide. EF SET is the world’s largest free English test for individuals and organizations – making robust language evaluation accessible to millions.

This year, for the first time, speaking and writing skills are evaluated using proprietary AI technology developed by Efekta Education Group, a tech company within EF focused on improving learning outcomes at scale.

“Thanks to Efekta’s advanced technology, we can now assess not only what people understand through listening and reading, but also how well they express themselves through speaking and writing – essential for building understanding across borders and cultures,” added Bell. “This richer, more complete view of English proficiency reveals how skills vary across individuals and groups. AI-powered assessment enables us to do this with unprecedented scale, speed, and consistency worldwide.”

Key Findings:

• Top performers: The Netherlands remains #1, followed by Croatia and Austria – which improved their rankings. Germany climbed to #4 with one of the biggest gains in Europe.
• Speaking remains a global challenge: In over half of the countries measured, speaking is the weakest English skill.
• Skill gaps are widespread: Most countries show significant differences between English skills, especially those with higher overall proficiency. However, which skill ranks strongest, or weakest, varies by country – suggesting no skill is inherently more difficult than others.
• Gender gap narrows: The gender gap is narrowing in most parts of the world, although it widened slightly in the Middle East.
• Youth proficiency falls short: Contrary to expectations, adults under 25 are not rebounding post-pandemic. In many countries, they score lower than older age groups.
• Regional highlights: Europe plateaued; Asia showed the narrowest skill gap; Latin America posted the widest age disparity; Africa remained the most varied.

Beyond rankings, the EF EPI examines how English proficiency relates to innovation, economic opportunity, and global collaboration. As AI reshapes work and life, English remains essential for accessing and influencing the future, especially since leading AI tools are developed mainly in English.

Full report: ef.com/epi

Founded in 1965, EF is a global association of education companies dedicated to opening the world through language, academic, cultural exchange, and travel programs.

Efekta is an innovative Tech company and the world’s leading provider of AI-powered learning technology – focused on improving educational outcomes at scale in high schools, universities, and global companies.

Contact:
mediainquiry@ef.com

PASAY CITY, Philippines, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments) reported a consolidated net income of PHP64.4 billion in the nine months of 2025, up 6% from PHP60.9 billion in the same period last year. 

Consolidated revenues likewise increased by 4% to PHP482.3 billion, compared with PHP462.5 billion a year ago.

“The third quarter performance remained within our expectations. Despite the challenges brought about by adverse weather and flooding, we continued to see resilient financial performance across our businesses,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer, SM Investments. “While external factors may temper overall economic growth, we maintain an optimistic outlook as we move into the fourth quarter.”

Banking accounted for the largest share of SM Investments’ net income at 50%, followed by property (28%), retail (15%), and portfolio investments (7%).

Retail

SM Retail reported net income stood at PHP12.2 billion, from PHP12.8 billion in the previous period.

Retail revenues, on the other hand, grew 5% to PHP318.1 billion from PHP301.8 billion in the previous period.

“The earlier school opening in June this year pushed some spending from the third to the second quarter. Despite this shift, specialty retail spending grew in the health and beauty, fashion and kids categories while essential spending continued to prop up growth for food retail,” Mr. DyBuncio observed.

Department store revenues grew 3% in the fashion and kids segments while food retail revenues increased 7% supported by a strong market base and store expansions.

Specialty retail revenues rose 4% driven by growth in the kids and home categories.  

Banking

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) recorded a net income of PHP63.1 billion, an increase by 4% from PHP60.6 billion last year due to sustained performance of its core business segments. 

Net interest income grew by 8% as gross customer loans climbed by 14% to PHP3.5 trillion on broad-based growth across all market segments. Deposits expanded by 10%, with a Current Account/Savings Account (CASA) ratio of 67%. 

Asset quality remained stable, with Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio at 1.77%, and NPL coverage at 134%.

China Banking Corporation posted a net income of PHP20.2 billion for the first nine months of 2025, up 10% year-on-year with core businesses delivering robust results. Net interest income grew by 15% to PHP53.5 billion. 

Non-performing loan (NPL) cover was 123%, higher than the industry average. Gross loans rose 14% to PHP994.0 billion on strong demand from both the corporate and consumer segments.

Deposits also rose by 9% to PHP1.4 trillion, securing a stable funding base, driven by 12% year-on-year growth in checking and savings accounts.

Property

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) reported nine-month profit to PHP37.2 billion, up 10% from PHP33.9 billion a year earlier. The growth was driven by higher contributions from the mall and convention center segments.

Total revenues rose 4% to PHP103.4 billion from PHP99.8 billion. Malls accounted for 59% of revenues, increasing 7% to PHP61.0 billion from PHP57.3 billion due to the addition of leasable space and tenants.

The residential segment, covering both core and leisure projects, contributed over 31% of total revenues, easing 2% to PHP32.6 billion from PHP33.1 billion due to slower revenue recognition from mid-segment developments.

Hotels and Convention Centers, which pitched in 6% to revenues, registered the strongest growth at 9%, rising to PHP6.0 billion from PHP5.5 billion on the back of higher MICE bookings.

Revenues from Offices and Warehouses, which represented almost 4% of the total, remained steady at PHP4.0 billion.

Portfolio Investments

The portfolio investments’ performance was driven by Philippine Geothermal Production Company which contributed 30% of total portfolio income, followed by NEO with 26% and 2GO with 12%. 2GO revenues increased 6% and net income by 65% supported by the strong performance of its travel and logistics businesses.

Balance Sheet

The total assets of SM Investments increased 4% to PHP1.8 trillion. Gearing ratio remained conservative with 31% net debt to 69% equity.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) today announced the winners of the 2025 SMARTIES™ Awards Philippines, honoring the country’s most outstanding marketing campaigns and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional creativity, strategic innovation, and measurable business impact.

The awards recognized 71 winning entries spanning 13 Gold, 24 Silver, 21 Bronze, and 13 Industry awards, celebrating the Philippine marketing community’s ability to blend emotional storytelling with data-driven performance.

“Filipino marketers are redefining what’s possible when creativity meets commercial impact,” said Rohit Dadwal, CEO, APAC & Global Head of SMARTIES™ Worldwide, Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA). “These winning campaigns prove that the most powerful marketing doesn’t choose between art and science; it harmonizes both. What we’re seeing from the Philippines is a new blueprint for success that balances emotional resonance with business impacts.”

Philippines SMARTIES™ 2025 Winners:

The Best in Show was presented to “Beat the Invisible Game”. 

Unilever was recognized as Advertiser of the Year. McDonald’s celebrated as Brand of the Year, and The Juror’s Choice Award went to “Flight Patterns: Weaving Heritage into Travel”. 

Publicis Groupe was recognized as Holding Agency Company of the Year. OMD won Media Agency of the Year, Ogilvy secured Creative Agency of the Year, Near Creative named Specialist Agency of the Year, and GIGIL took home Independent Agency of the Year, while Intersections Communications, Inc. claimed Digital Agency of the Year. Globe Telecom earned recognition as Most Resilient Brand of the Year, and Grab was honored as Publisher of the Year. Silverpush was recognized as Enabling Technology Company of the Year. 

For the complete list of winners and more information about the 2025 SMARTIES™ Awards Philippines, please visit HERE.

About the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA)

The Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) is the global, non-profit community of Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing leaders advancing marketers’ ability to create value. Led by CMOs and supported by the entire ecosystem at the governance level — including brands, media, agencies, consultancies, AdTech, and MarTech — MMA develops evidence-based models, frameworks, and tools validated through multi-year, multi-million-dollar Think Tanks and Labs.

Headquartered in New York City, with operations in 16 countries across APAC, Europe, MEA, LATAM, and North America, MMA has more than 825 corporate members who gather at 62+ MMA conferences worldwide, and flagship gatherings in the APAC, including MMA Innovate, CEO&CMO Summit, MMA Executive Dialogues, SMARTIES Unplugged, MMA IMPACT and MMA SMARTIES. Learn more at https://mmaglobal.com/

The Marketing + Media includes the world’s most influential marketers and partners, including Unilever, P&G, Grab, McDonalds, Coca Coala, Google, TikTok, Facebook, Diageo, Mondelez, Heineken, Pepsi, Perfetti, Affle, Emtek Group Indonesia, GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, Mayora, Godrej, Reliance – and many more.

About SMARTIES™

SMARTIES™ is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA Global, recognizing excellence in marketing effectiveness and innovation. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate campaigns that push creative boundaries while delivering measurable business impact.

BANGKOK, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 18 November 2025: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB, unveiled at IBTM World 2025 “Meet Well in Thailand“, a landmark campaign that showcases the power of collaboration between government agencies and the private sector across Thailand’s thriving MICE ecosystem. Rolling out across the country throughout 2026, the campaign unites more than 130 Thai service providers nationwide to deliver enhanced values and enriched experiences for MICE planners and business travellers.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, President of TCEB, said, “The ‘Meet Well in Thailand‘ campaign reflects how far our MICE ecosystem has evolved. Built on strong collaboration, it leverages the expertise and resources of diverse stakeholders for maximising event outcomes and return on investment. The initiative not only creates unprecedented value for MICE planners and travellers but also strengthens the positioning of Thailand, showcasing our world-class products and hospitality and highlighting the country’s unique offerings. It empowers planners to deliver outcomes that go far beyond a successful business event.”

Set to roll out in 2026, the campaign is designed by bringing together more than 130 Thai service providers across the country. It offers the widest range of privileges and special deals ever, spanning wellness programs, accommodations, dining, off-site venues, transportation, shopping, workshops, localised experiences, low-carbon activities and cultural attractions.

The service providers joining the campaign are in 14 city destinations in all four key regions of the country: five established MICE Cities and nine high-potential destinations. It features world-class and award-winning service providers, including 40 five-star hotels and resorts, four wellness establishments, and four leading shopping malls. Highlights of the special deals include up to 20 per cent off wellness programs, 40-80 per cent discounts on shopping, and special group rates for every 15 rooms booked, offering planners and visitors exceptional value and opportunities to maximise return on experience from Thailand’s hospitality and local cultural diversity.

The launch of Meet Well in Thailand campaign marks a milestone in TCEB’s initiative to build a stronger and more connected MICE ecosystem to deliver greater values. The special deals offered in a vast number of city destinations are reinforced by the fact that a series of flagship international events in 2026 are scheduled to take place not only in Bangkok but also in other regional cities. These include Global Sustainable Tourism Conference, Global Wellness Summit and InterPride’s 2026 General Meeting & World Conference in Phuket, the Spartan SUPER World Championship in Chiang Rai and Tough Mudder in Pattaya.

“This is the opportunity for those attending global events in cities across Thailand can maximise privileges under the campaign. For planners, Thailand now has a solid foundation of more capable cities for future events. They have a wider range of destination options that can be tailored to their agendas and interests or combined with scheduled flagship events in each host city, creating more value and flexibility for every MICE program,” said Mrs. Supawan.

For more information, contact TCEB at: pr@tceb.or.th

About TCEB

A LEADING AGENCY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAILAND’S MICE INDUSTRY

Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB – the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister – has been assigned a role to promote, support and develop business events industry – corporate meetings, incentive trips, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps deliver creative ideas and solutions to bring success and fulfill the requirements of business events. The overarching goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country’s strategic industries and national economy.

From Ingredient Supplementation to Gene Regulation: BIOVOZ and the University of Auckland Pioneer a New Era in Beauty Science

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Leading beauty brand BIOVOZ has announced a strategic research partnership with the University of Auckland, marking a significant leap forward in the scientific exploration of skin brightening and anti-aging. By harnessing cutting-edge biotechnology, this collaboration aims to deliver personalized, science-driven skincare solutions for women worldwide.

Empowering Research Through Collaboration

As New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious public research university, the University of Auckland has long stood as a global leader in life sciences and biotechnology. Professor Jun Lu from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute — a distinguished scholar in functional foods and natural bioactive compounds — has published over 150 SCI papers and serves on the editorial boards of multiple top-tier scientific journals.

BIOVOZ, a premium New Zealand skincare brand, is guided by the philosophy of “Science Meets Nature: Unlocking Genetic Aesthetics.” The brand is dedicated to advancing global research in genetic anti-aging and epigenetics, integrating natural essences with state-of-the-art science to redefine beauty at the genetic level. As BIOVOZ’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Lu plays a pivotal role in steering the brand’s scientific development.

This collaboration represents a powerful synergy of academic excellence and market innovation. The University of Auckland contributes world-class expertise in bioengineering, while BIOVOZ brings pioneering technologies in gene regulation and plant-based formulations. Together, they seek to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying skin aging and pigmentation — laying the groundwork for major scientific breakthroughs in beauty and wellness.

From Supplementation to Gene Regulation: Shaping the Future of Beauty

With its unique “Cell-Level Targeted Formulation and Natural Essence” system, BIOVOZ has transformed skincare solutions from mere nutritional supplementation to the realm of gene regulation. Driven by precise, evidence-based innovation, the brand develops products that awaken the skin’s inherent vitality — offering consumers the perfect balance between scientific rigor and natural wisdom.

Among its flagship innovations, the BIOVOZ Bright Diamond Drink and Clearly Brightening Dark Spot-Targeting Serum deliver a dual-path brightening effect through “internal and external” synergy. The Bright Diamond Drink, powered by Melan-erase™ — a Nobel Prize-inspired gene technology — inhibits melanin formation at the dermal layer. Combined with double-patented White Tomato Extract and a 4D Antioxidant Complex, it supports a three-phase brightening process, targeting the surface, mid-layer, and root causes of dullness.

The Clearly Brightening Dark Spot-Targeting Serum, enriched with four signature New Zealand botanicals — Licorice Root, Red Algae, Black Fern, and Centella Asiatica — provides comprehensive care by protecting the skin during the day and repairing it at night. Layer by layer, it helps reduce pigmentation, even out skin tone, and reveal a naturally translucent glow.

The BIOVOZ L-Ergothioneine Capsules feature three powerhouse ingredients — L-Ergothioneine, PQQ, and AKG — delivering triple anti-aging benefits from genes and cellular functions to the skin surface, revitalizing skin from within. Meanwhile, the BIOVOZ Women’s Multivitamin contains 56 essential nutrients that comprehensively supplement the body’s daily dietary requirements, offering women an all-in-one nutritional solution.

Looking ahead, BIOVOZ and the University of Auckland will deepen their collaboration, translating advanced genetic research into groundbreaking skincare innovations. Together, they aim to usher in a new era of Genetic Aesthetics, setting a global benchmark for precision-driven anti-aging and skin-brightening solutions.