Surprising results as U.S. falls out of top three
This week, the renowned “U.S. News and World Report” unveiled its list of the globe’s best nations. Collaborating with global marketing firm WPP and the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, they polled over 17,000 individuals globally.
Countries were evaluated based on:
- Adventure;
- Agility;
- Cultural Influence;
- Entrepreneurship;
- Heritage;
- Movers;
- Open for Business;
- Power;
- Quality of Life;
- Social Purpose.
While the U.S. missed a spot in the top three, it secured the 5th place, sliding down from the 4th in the previous year.
Switzerland Stands Tall
Holding its crown, Switzerland was deemed the world’s best nation for the consecutive year, a title it had secured from 2017 to 2020, only interrupted by Canada in 2021. A global financial hub, Switzerland boasts a high per capita GDP, as noted by its Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Cities like Zürich, Geneva, and Basel are recognized for their outstanding quality of life, as a 2019 Deutsche Bank study highlighted. However, the Swiss also bear a high cost of living, approximately 56.5% more than Americans. Additionally, Swiss rents surpass U.S. rates by an average of 6.5%.
Top 10 Nations on the Globe
- Switzerland
- Canada
- Sweden
- Australia
- United States
- Japan
- Germany
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
Canada & Sweden: Close Contenders
Positioned as the world’s second-best, Canada is vast in size and has a GDP of $2.14 trillion. Living in Canada is generally cheaper, with costs around 11.2% less than the U.S., and significantly lower rents. Additionally, Canada scores high on quality of life, known for its excellent educational and health services.
Sweden completes the top trio. Known for its universal healthcare and tuition-free college, the Swedes enjoy one of the longest life spans worldwide, averaging 82.8 years. Renowned for their generosity, Swedes donate about 1% of their GDP to global humanitarian projects annually. A champion of social policies, Sweden offers a generous 480 days of paid parental leave per child. In terms of living expenses, Sweden is around 20.9% cheaper than the U.S., and renting is a whopping 57.5% less.