The 25 Best Countries in the World
Based on global opinion, these 25 nations are the world's best.
Explore the Best 25 Countries
These countries, which range from Austria to South Korea, performed the best overall in the 2017 Best Countries rankings.
The rankings, formed in partnership with Y&R’s brand strategy firm, BAV Consulting, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, aim to gauge global perceptions of the world’s biggest economies.
No. 25: India
No. 24: Portugal
Portugal, ranked No. 24 overall, is considered to be one of the best countries to travel alone. It also ranks highly as one of the best countries to retire comfortably, at No. 5.
No. 23: South Korea
South Korea ranks No. 23 overall. The country is the No. 3 most forward-looking country and the No. 11 best country in which to start a business.
No. 22: United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, one of the most liberal of the Gulf states, ranks No. 22 overall. It is No. 1 in Movers and No. 10 in Power.
No. 21: Ireland
Ireland ranks No. 21 overall. The Emerald Isle also places No. 15 in Citizenship and No. 14 in Open for Business.
No. 20: China
China, the world’s most populous country, ranks No. 20 overall. It is considered to be the third most powerful nation and the second best country in which to start a business.
No. 19: Spain
Spain, ranked No. 19 overall, is also one of the top countries for Adventure. It ranks No. 2 for Heritage and No.1 in Best Countries to Travel Alone.
No. 18: Austria
Austria is the No. 18 Best Country overall. The European country is No. 9 in the Best Countries for Women and No. 13 in the Best Countries for Green Living.
No. 17: Luxembourg
Luxembourg ranks No. 17 overall. Despite stricter tax code regulations that hit the European Union in 2015, the country ranks No. 2 in Open for Business. It also ranks as the No. 12 most transparent nation.
No. 16: Italy
Italy ranks No. 16 overall. Known for its many historical cities, world-renown cuisine and geographic beauty, the country takes top spots in Heritage and Cultural Influence.
No. 15: Singapore
Singapore, ranked No. 15 overall, boasts one of the highest gross domestic products per capita. Considered one of Asia’s four economic tigers, the country ranks No. 2 in Movers, No. 2 in Best Countries to Invest In and No. 6 in Best Countries to Start a Business.
No. 14: New Zealand
New Zealand is the No. 14 Best Country overall. The country’s education expenditures as a percent of gross domestic product are some of the highest in the world, and it ranks No. 9 in terms of citizenship. It is also considered the No. 1 country to retire comfortably.
No. 13: Finland
Finland ranks No. 13 overall. The country ranks No. 5 in both Citizenship and Open for Business, and is considered the No. 3 country in terms of green living and No. 7 in terms of Quality of Life.
No. 12: Denmark
Finland’s Nordic neighbor, Denmark, ranks No. 12 overall. It is No. 2 in terms of Best Countries for Women and Best Countries to Raise Kids and No. 4 in terms of transparency.
No. 11: Netherlands
The Netherlands is the No. 11 Best Country overall. The Dutch were the first to legalize same-sex marriage, and national stances on drugs, prostitution, euthanasia and abortion are liberal; their country ranks No. 8 in Quality of Life.
No. 10: Norway
Norway, which has twice rejected European Union membership, ranks No. 10 overall. The country takes the No. 1 spot in Citizenship and the No. 2 spot in Most Transparent.
No. 9: France
France, one of the most visited countries in the world, ranks No. 9 overall. It is No. 2 in Cultural Influence and No. 6 in Power.
No. 8: Australia
Australia is the No. 8 Best Country overall. The Land Down Under – No. 4 in Quality of Life and No. 9 in Adventure – also ranks in the top 10 in terms of education, where to headquarter a corporation and others.
No. 7: United States
The United States ranks No. 7 overall. The country with the largest economy in the world is also considered the most powerful. It ranks No. 3 in Entrepreneurship and No. 3 in Cultural Influence, as well.
No. 6: Sweden
Sweden, one of the most generous countries in terms of contributing funds to humanitarian aid, ranks No. 6 overall. The country is No. 2 in Citizenship and No. 1 in Best Countries for Green Living.
No. 5: Japan
Japan, ranked No. 5 overall, is the top performing Asian country. It ranks No. 5 in Movers and No. 1 as the most forward-looking country.
No. 4: Germany
Germany, which has seen its role in the international community grow steadily since reunification, ranks No. 4 overall. Despite contention around the country’s open-door policy toward immigration, the nation ranks No. 10 in Citizenship. It is also No. 1 in Entrepreneurship and No. 3 in Best Countries for Education.
No. 3: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom ranks No. 3 overall. It ranks No. 4 in Power and No. 5 in Cultural Influence, rather strong positions for a country that recently voted to leave the European Union.
No. 2: Canada
Canada, the second largest country in the world in terms of landmass, ranks No. 2 overall. It takes top spots in Quality of Life and Best Countries for Education.
No. 1: Switzerland
Switzerland debuts as the No. 1 Best Country in 2017. The country, well-known for its history of neutrality, ranks No. 3 in Open for Business and No. 3 in Citizenship.
Learn More About Best Countries
Don't see your country here? See the full list of the 2017 Best Countries and explore how nations did in areas like Power, Citizenship and Quality of Life.
You May Also Like
Best Countries 2021: Canada No. 1
The U.S. moves up one position overall but is seen as less politically stable in a report that also weighs countries' commitments to racial equality, social justice and climate goals.
Photos: Best Countries Around the World
From Canada to Vietnam: Scenes from nations examined in U.S. News' Best Countries 2021 report.
The 25 Best Countries
Based on global opinion, these 25 nations are the world's best.
US Condemns Suspension of Romanian Judge Over TikTok Posts
A well-known judge in Romania has been suspended from his position over videos he posted on the social media platform TikTok.