"Best country in the world" crowned for the third year in a row
The best countries in the world have been ranked according to a new survey, with Switzerland taking out the top spot for the third year in a row.
According to new data released by US News & World's report in its annual Best Countries rankings, the small European nation has been dubbed the "best country in the world" for 2024.
Among the top 25 list, 15 European countries nabbed spots, east and southeast Asia claimed four spots, and the Middle East took two spots, with North America and Oceania taking two spots each.
The ranking was made based on the views of 17,000 people, who assessed how well each nation ranked on categories including power, openness for business and cultural influence.
At the top of the ranking was Switzerland, which has been at the top of the table nearly every year since 2017, with the report saying the country was "bolstered by notable performances in three of the heaviest-weighted subrankings: quality of life, entrepreneurship and social purpose."
Japan claimed second spot on the list for the first time, climbing four spots from last year's ranking, for its high rankings in the entrepreneurship and movers categories.
Australia came in fifth place this year (down from fourth in 2023), ranking high in quality of life and social purpose, while New Zealand came in ninth place (down from eighth in 2023).
Check out the top 25 best countries list below.
1. Switzerland
2. Japan
3. United Stated of America
4. Canada
5. Australia
6. Sweden
7. Germany
8. United Kingdom
9. New Zealand
10. Denmark
11. Norway
12. France
13. The Netherlands
14. Singapore
15. Italy
16. China
17. United Arab Emirates
18. South Korea
19. Spain
20. Finland
21. Austria
22. Iceland
23. Belgium
24. Ireland
25. Qatar
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