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Power
These countries project their influence on the world stage. The United States and China head this list.These countries project their influence on the world stage. The United States and China head this list.These countries project their influence on the world stage. The United States and China head this list.
Best Countries for Power
The world’s most powerful countries also are the ones that consistently dominate news headlines, preoccupy policymakers and shape global economic patterns. Their foreign policies and military budgets are tracked religiously. When they make a pledge, at least some in the international community trust they will keep it.
The 2021 Best Countries rankings, formed in partnership with BAV Group, a unit of global marketing communications company VMLY&R, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, are based on a study that surveyed more than 17,000 people from four regions to assess perceptions of 78 countries on 76 different metrics.
The Power subranking is based on an equally weighted average of scores from five country attributes that related to a country's power: a leader, economically influential, politically influential, strong international alliances and strong military. The Power subranking score had a 6.09% weight in the overall Best Countries ranking.
Although there was little change this year in the 10 countries seen as being the most powerful, many shuffled positions. The United States is perceived to be the most powerful country again, and has the world’s largest economy and biggest military budget, spending over $732 billion on military hardware and personnel in 2019. The country is a leader in the so-called war on terror, is by far the largest contributor to NATO and cements alliances by giving out billions of dollars in military aid to nations worldwide. The U.S. spent more than $33 billion in economic aid and about $13 billion in military aid in 2019, the most recent year data is available.
China overtakes Russia to be seen as the second-most powerful country. Both countries are among the world’s top military spenders. Following the top three are Germany, the U.K., Japan and France – countries that have large economies and give out large amounts of international aid, while Japan and France traded positions this year. South Korea and Saudi Arabia each moved up one position this year, to No. 8 and No. 9 respectively. The United Arab Emirates moved to the No. 10 position while Israel fell out of the top 10.
Countries perceived to be less powerful tended to be smaller nations with medium to small economies. Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe, is viewed as the least powerful nation, followed by Slovenia. Baltic countries Latvia and Lithuania and Southeastern Europe’s Bulgaria round out the bottom five.
The Power subranking is based on an equally weighted average of scores from five country attributes that related to a country's power: a leader, economically influential, politically influential, strong international alliances and strong military. The Power subranking score had a 6.09% weight in the overall Best Countries ranking.
Although there was little change this year in the 10 countries seen as being the most powerful, many shuffled positions. The United States is perceived to be the most powerful country again, and has the world’s largest economy and biggest military budget, spending over $732 billion on military hardware and personnel in 2019. The country is a leader in the so-called war on terror, is by far the largest contributor to NATO and cements alliances by giving out billions of dollars in military aid to nations worldwide. The U.S. spent more than $33 billion in economic aid and about $13 billion in military aid in 2019, the most recent year data is available.
China overtakes Russia to be seen as the second-most powerful country. Both countries are among the world’s top military spenders. Following the top three are Germany, the U.K., Japan and France – countries that have large economies and give out large amounts of international aid, while Japan and France traded positions this year. South Korea and Saudi Arabia each moved up one position this year, to No. 8 and No. 9 respectively. The United Arab Emirates moved to the No. 10 position while Israel fell out of the top 10.
Countries perceived to be less powerful tended to be smaller nations with medium to small economies. Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe, is viewed as the least powerful nation, followed by Slovenia. Baltic countries Latvia and Lithuania and Southeastern Europe’s Bulgaria round out the bottom five.
Power Rankings
#1 in Power Rankings
No Change in Rank from 2020
READ MORERead MoreThe United States of America is a North American nation that is the world’s most dominant economic and military power. Likewise, its cultural imprint spans the world, led in large part by its popular culture expressed in music, movies and television. In November 2020 the country elected Joe Biden as its 46th president, removing Donald Trump after one term. The country is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing deep economic recession. And calls for greater social justice reignited in the country following the death of Black American George Floyd at the hands of police in May 2020. Public demands to address racial inequality in the country, expressed in institutions such as the criminal justice system and health care, spurred similar movements in countries around the world.
The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world’s most dominant economic and military power. Likewise, its cultural imprint spans the world, led in large part by its popular culture expressed in music, movies and television. In November 2020 the country elected Joe Biden as its 46th president, removing Donald Trump after one term. The country is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing deep economic recession. And calls for greater social justice reignited in the country following the death of Black American George Floyd at the hands of police in May 2020. Public demands to address racial inequality in the country, expressed in institutions such as the criminal justice system and health care, spurred similar movements in countries around the world.
GDP
$21.4 trillionPopulation
328 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$65,280READ MORE#2 in Power Rankings
#3 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreHome to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China has been ruled by the Communist Party since 1949, when the nation was established as the People’s Republic of China. The country is the world’s most populous and is considered the second-largest by land mass.
Home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China has been ruled by the Communist Party since 1949, when the nation was established as the People’s Republic of China. The country is the world’s most populous and is considered the second-largest by land mass.
GDP
$14.3 trillionPopulation
1.40 billionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$10,217READ MORE#3 in Power Rankings
#2 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreThe scale of Russia is difficult to imagine. It is the world’s largest country by land mass – nearly twice as big as Canada, the world’s second-largest nation – and covers all of northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe. It shares land borders with more than a dozen countries, and shares sea borders with Japan and the United States.
The scale of Russia is difficult to imagine. It is the world’s largest country by land mass – nearly twice as big as Canada, the world’s second-largest nation – and covers all of northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe. It shares land borders with more than a dozen countries, and shares sea borders with Japan and the United States.
GDP
$1.69 trillionPopulation
144 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$11,498READ MORE#4 in Power Rankings
No Change in Rank from 2020
READ MORERead MoreGermany, the most populous nation in the European Union, possesses one of the largest economies in the world and has seen its role in the international community grow steadily since reunification. The Central European country borders nine nations, and its landscape varies, from the northern plains that reach to the North and Baltic seas to the Bavarian Alps in the south.
Germany, the most populous nation in the European Union, possesses one of the largest economies in the world and has seen its role in the international community grow steadily since reunification. The Central European country borders nine nations, and its landscape varies, from the northern plains that reach to the North and Baltic seas to the Bavarian Alps in the south.
GDP
$3.86 trillionPopulation
83.1 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$46,468READ MORE#5 in Power Rankings
No Change in Rank from 2020
READ MORERead MoreThe United Kingdom is a highly developed nation that exerts considerable international economic, political, scientific and cultural influence. Located off the northwest corner of Europe, the country includes the island of Great Britain – which contains England, Scotland and Wales – and the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The country’s role on the global stage faces new questions as the nation withdrew from the European Union. , as well as the policies supporting the eurozone.
The United Kingdom is a highly developed nation that exerts considerable international economic, political, scientific and cultural influence. Located off the northwest corner of Europe, the country includes the island of Great Britain – which contains England, Scotland and Wales – and the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The country’s role on the global stage faces new questions as the nation withdrew from the European Union. , as well as the policies supporting the eurozone.
GDP
$2.83 trillionPopulation
66.8 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$42,354READ MORE#6 in Power Rankings
#7 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreJapan, one of the world’s most literate and technically advanced nations, is an East Asian country made up of four main islands. While most of Japan is covered by mountains and heavily wooded areas, the country’s roughly 126 million people lead a distinctly urban lifestyle. Long culturally influenced by its neighbors, today the country blends its ancient traditions with aspects of Western life.
Japan, one of the world’s most literate and technically advanced nations, is an East Asian country made up of four main islands. While most of Japan is covered by mountains and heavily wooded areas, the country’s roughly 126 million people lead a distinctly urban lifestyle. Long culturally influenced by its neighbors, today the country blends its ancient traditions with aspects of Western life.
GDP
$5.06 trillionPopulation
126 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$40,113READ MORE#7 in Power Rankings
#6 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreIt is difficult to overstate the influence France has on the world, both in the past and today. Located in Western Europe, France is one of the world’s oldest countries, and its reach extends around the globe through science, politics, economics and perhaps above all, culture. Starting in the Middle Ages, France evolved through kingdom, empire and finally, into a republic. It was one of the first nations to champion the rights of the individual.
It is difficult to overstate the influence France has on the world, both in the past and today. Located in Western Europe, France is one of the world’s oldest countries, and its reach extends around the globe through science, politics, economics and perhaps above all, culture. Starting in the Middle Ages, France evolved through kingdom, empire and finally, into a republic. It was one of the first nations to champion the rights of the individual.
GDP
$2.72 trillionPopulation
67.2 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$40,380READ MORE#8 in Power Rankings
#9 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreSouth Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a nation in eastern Asia with a long history of conflict that occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. Liberated from Japan in 1945 at the end of World War II, South Korea was invaded by communist forces in North Korea a few years later. Aid requested by the United Nations helped end the three-year war and support the south on its way to democracy. A critical divide between the two nations along the center of the peninsula remains.
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a nation in eastern Asia with a long history of conflict that occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. Liberated from Japan in 1945 at the end of World War II, South Korea was invaded by communist forces in North Korea a few years later. Aid requested by the United Nations helped end the three-year war and support the south on its way to democracy. A critical divide between the two nations along the center of the peninsula remains.
GDP
$1.65 trillionPopulation
51.7 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$31,846READ MORE#9 in Power Rankings
#10 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreSaudi Arabia is the giant of the Middle East, with both the vast majority of land and wealth of the Arabian Peninsula falling within its borders. Millions of devout Muslims from around the world participate in a pilgrimage to Mecca each year, believed to be the birthplace of the Muslim prophet Mohammed and the cradle of Islam. A fierce religious identity dominates the Sunni-majority nation, with principles of the Koran, conservative Sunni teachings known as Wahhabism and strict Islamic Shariah law present in all aspects of life.
Saudi Arabia is the giant of the Middle East, with both the vast majority of land and wealth of the Arabian Peninsula falling within its borders. Millions of devout Muslims from around the world participate in a pilgrimage to Mecca each year, believed to be the birthplace of the Muslim prophet Mohammed and the cradle of Islam. A fierce religious identity dominates the Sunni-majority nation, with principles of the Koran, conservative Sunni teachings known as Wahhabism and strict Islamic Shariah law present in all aspects of life.
GDP
$793 billionPopulation
34.3 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$23,140READ MORE#10 in Power Rankings
#11 out of 73 in 2020
READ MORERead MoreThe United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is a federation of seven emirates on the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula. The country, wedged between between Oman and Saudi Arabia, has rocky desert, wetlands, waterless mountains and coastlines that stretch along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The emirates that currently comprise the UAE were known as the Trucial States in the 19th century as a result of a series of agreements with Great Britain. In 1971, six of these states merged to form the UAE; a seventh joined in 1972.
The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is a federation of seven emirates on the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula. The country, wedged between between Oman and Saudi Arabia, has rocky desert, wetlands, waterless mountains and coastlines that stretch along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The emirates that currently comprise the UAE were known as the Trucial States in the 19th century as a result of a series of agreements with Great Britain. In 1971, six of these states merged to form the UAE; a seventh joined in 1972.
GDP
$421 billionPopulation
9.77 millionGDP PC, PPP
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$43,103READ MORE