Global Powerhouses: The Top 10 Countries to Watch in 2024

• Switzerland is once again in the top position in the US News & World Report ranking of the best countries in the world.
• The ranking ranked 89 countries in terms of cultural heritage, national strength, and entrepreneurship.
• European countries tend to have a high quality of life, while the United States ranks high in national strength and agility.

Switzerland has been named the “best country in the world” for the third year in a row.

US News & World ReportThe 2024 edition of the “World’s Best Countries” ranking, produced annually in partnership with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and others, was published on September 10th.

Switzerland was number one between 2017 and 2020, but lost the top spot to Canada in 2021. However, it has been at the top again since 2022. Canada has dropped to fourth place this year.

In this site, 17,000 people who took part in the online survey evaluated the characteristics of each country from 73 points of view. They were then scored and assessed in 10 categories, including quality of life, entrepreneurship, openness to business, power and agility.

David Reibstein, professor of marketing at the Wharton School, said in a statement:

“The World’s Best Countries report shows the importance of having a strong global image as countries compete for trade, tourism and socio-economic influence. This ranking is more than just a ‘beauty pageant’. No. We need for world leaders to recognize how countries are perceived to affect their economies through important components of GDP, such as tourism, foreign direct investment, and trade.

Below, we present the top 10 overall rankings of “World’s Best Countries” according to US News & World Report, as well as the categories and sub-rankings in which each country excels.

Population data for each country was obtained from the US Census Bureau, and GDP information was obtained from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Denmark is 10th

Population: 6 million

GDP: 400.1 billion dollars (about 56.58 trillion yen)

Denmark, which includes a peninsula jutting out from continental Europe and more than 400 islands in the North Sea, was ranked 13th overall in 2023. In the 2024 rankings, it took first in the categories ” quality of life” and “social purpose”, but came 10th overall. The “Social Purposes” category emphasizes human rights, the environment, and equality. Denmark is“The best country to raise children”It was also number one in the sub-ranking of “racially equal countries”.

New Zealand in 9th

Population: 5.2 million

GDP: 242.1 billion dollars (about 34.28 trillion yen)

A small island nation in the Pacific OceanNew Zealandit fell one place in the overall ranking from 2023, but remained in the top 10 this year. The country was placed 5th in the sub-ranking for “the best country to live a comfortable retirement,” and 2nd in “the country most active in terms of social goals.” However, it was not in the top 20 in the categories of “cultural influence” or “national power.”

8th place in the UK

Population: 68.5 million

GDP: 3.2 trillion dollars (about 453.72 trillion yen)

EnglandDespite leaving the EU in 2020, it remains a popular country to live in. It was 9th overall in the 2023 rankings, but this year it rose slightly to 8th. The highest positions in the category were “Entrepreneurship” and “National Strength,” which was fourth, “Elements of Adventure,” which was less prominent, and “Cultural Heritage,” which was in 15th place.

7th place Germany

Population: 84.1 million

GDP: 4 trillion dollars (about 570.62 trillion yen)

Germany was in 7th place overall, the same as in 2023. 1st place in the category “Entrepreneurship”, and sub-ranking“The best country to start your career”I came in second place. However, it was not in the top 20 in the sub-rankings of “best countries to live a comfortable retirement” and “best countries for solo travellers.”

Sweden’s 6th place

Population: 10.6 million

GDP: 590 billion dollars (about 83.94 trillion yen)

Sweden fell from third place overall in 2023 to sixth place this year. However, some categories were highly regarded, including second place for “quality of life” and “social purpose.” Also, sub-ranking“The best country for women”It ranks first in the list of “environmentally friendly countries.” However, it was not in the top 20 in the “national power” category.

Australia 5th

Population: 26.8 million

GDP: 1.7 trillion dollars (about 241.92 trillion yen)

Australiait fell from 4th place overall in 2023 to 5th place this year. His third place in the “Agility” category boosted his overall ranking. It came 8th in the “quality of life” and “adventure elements” categories, and 9th in the “social purpose” category. In the sub-rankings, Japan came 4th for “the best country to live a comfortable retirement” and 3rd for “the best country to set up a company headquarters.”

4th place Canada

Population: 38.8 million

GDP: 1.7 trillion dollars (about 241.55 trillion yen)

Canada fell from second place overall in 2023 to fourth place this year, but in the top five in the categories of “quality of life,” “social purpose,” and “agility,” and sixth in “entrepreneurship.” In the sub-ranking“The best country to live a comfortable retirement”It was in the top 10 for “best countries to raise children” and “best countries for education,” 15th for “countries open to business,” and 14th for “influential countries.”

3rd place America

Population: 336 million people

GDP: 27.4 trillion dollars (about 3,885 trillion 810 billion yen)

The United States moved from fifth overall in 2023 to third this year, its highest position since the rankings began nine years ago. He placed first in the categories “agility” and “national strength” and second in “entrepreneurial spirit.” In terms of “cultural influence,” it was third after Italy and France. In the sub-rankings, it came first in the categories “Most Influential Country” and “Country with the Best Education” but,“Quality of life”It was not in the top 20 in the “adventurous element” and “openness to business” categories. Even in the sub-ranking of the “best countries to live a comfortable retirement,” the country was not in the top 20, and many Americans seek an inexpensive and comfortable retirement lifestyle.move abroadIt reflects what you do.

2nd place Japan

Population: 123.2 million people

GDP: 4.3 trillion dollars (about 608.47 trillion yen)

Japanjumped from 6th place overall in 2023 to 2nd place this year. He came third in the “Entrepreneurship” category and fifth in “Cultural Influence.” He is eighth in the list of “resilient movers” considered “to watch” by US News, showing his “strength national,” “agility,” and its potential economic strength. It was also high in sub-rankings related to business and career, such as “Country for the Future,” “Best Country to Invest in,” and “Best Country to Start a Career.” however, it was not in the top 20 for “openness for business,” “best country to visit,” and “social purpose.”

Switzerland’s 1st place

Population: 8.9 million

GDP: $819 billion (about 115.83 trillion yen)

Many of the criteria US News emphasizesSwitzerlandalways loud. It came third in “quality of life,” fifth in “entrepreneurship,” and second in “openness to business.” It also came first in the categories “the best country to live a comfortable retirement” and the “best country to start a career” On the other hand, the rank of “resilient countries (movers)” is slightly lower in the 19th place. Furthermore, it was not in the top 20 for “cultural heritage,” which evaluates tradition.