The Best Countries To Study, Work & Live In

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ELITE?

The Best Countries ranking is derived from data collected a survey administered to “more than 21,000 business leaders, informed elites and general citizens.” According to U.S. News, the respondents hailed from 36 nations – far fewer than the 80 countries ranked. In addition, “12,114 were informed elites and 6,016 were business decision-makers. Some respondents were considered both informed elites and business decision-makers.” Hardly scientific – with a respondent pool who’d merit low marks for transparency in the survey’s own methodology – the survey is an exercise in perception says David Reibstein, professor of marketing at the Wharton School. “The Best Countries report speaks to the effect a nation’s brand can have on its economic prosperity and perceived standing in the world.”

The survey featured 9 categories and 75 subcategory attributes total, with each category carrying a different weight. For example, the highest weights were accorded to entrepreneurship (17.42%), citizenship (16.95%), quality of life (16.89%), and open for business (11.99%).

Along with surveying respondents about countries, U.S. News also took their temperature on hot button global issues. A third of respondents pegged terrorism as the biggest threat to global security, which was followed by income inequality (25%) and climate change (16%). Immigration was another hot button, with just 54% agreeing that their home country should be more open to immigration. The irony? 87% placed high value on diversity and tolerance.

TRUMP FAILS THE LEADERSHIP TEST

It was also a pessimistic group. Three quarters viewed the world as worse off over the previous year. 73% considered technology to be a danger to displacing jobs. Another 60% trusted private companies more than government to tend to their private needs. Another 38% didn’t see women receiving the same opportunities as men. That was a crucial point, as 75% tied gender equality to national stability and happiness. The sample was also more inward-looking, with just 52% considering themselves “citizens of the world vs. their country,” a six point drop in just one year.

That said, the group had definite opinions on leadership. 81% associated it with transparency and trustworthiness. For them, the global leaders who best exemplified global leadership were Germany’s Angela Merkel and Canada’s Justin Thoreau. The worst? You guessed it: Donald Trump with a 58% disapproval rating. Among business leaders, Google’s Eric Schmidt won the highest approval from respondents.

See the top performing countries in each of the nine categories below.

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Adventure

Relates to tourism, which is measured by physical activity and cultural exchange.

1) Brazil

2) Italy

3) Spain

4) Thailand

5) Greece

Citizenship

Based on human rights, gender equality, and religious freedom.

1) Norway

2) Switzerland

3) Denmark

4) Canada

5) Sweden

Cultural Influence

Relates to countries with the greatest cultural influence according to variables ranging from museum visitors to entertainment.

1) Italy

2) France

3) United States

4) Spain

5) United Kingdom

Entrepreneurship

Relates to measures such as transparent business practices, well-developed legal frameworks, access to capital and skilled labor.

1) Germany

2) Japan

3) United States

4) United Kingdom

5) Switzerland

Heritage

Relates to country’s contribution to culture and history. 

1)  Italy

2) Spain

3) Greece

4) France

5) Mexico

Movers

Relates to national branding.

1) United Arab Emirates

2) India

3) Singapore

4) China

5) Japan

Open for Business

Relates to levels of bureaucracy, corruption, taxes, and transparent government practices.

1) Luxembourg

2) Switzerland

3) Panama

4) Denmark

5) Sweden

Power

Relates to economic and political influence and strength of international and economic alliances.

1) United States

2) Russia

3) China

4) Germany

5) United Kingdom

Quality of Life

Relates to affordable living, economic and political stability, and strong healthcare and education systems.

1) Canada

2) Denmark

3) Sweden

4) Norway

5) Australia