The report and subsequent rankings were based on how people’s perceptions define countries in terms of qualitative characteristics, but which did they include? And why did the 2020 report focus on perceptions of only 73 nations? See the Best Countries full ranking here.
1. Switzerland
2. Canada
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. Australia
6. United Kingdom
7. United States
8. Sweden
9. Netherlands
Regarding Switzerland, the report emphasised that “Switzerland has low unemployment, a skilled labour force and one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world, according to the CIA World Factbook. The country’s strong economy was powered by low corporate tax rates, a highly-developed service sector led by financial services and a high-tech manufacturing industry.”
So I checked Quality of Life. Beyond the essential ideas of broad access to food and housing, to quality education and health care and employment, this measure may also include intangibles such as job security, political stability, individual freedom and environmental quality.
For Quality of Life
2. Canada
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. Australia
6. United Kingdom
7. United States
8. Sweden
9. Netherlands
10. Norway
11. New Zealand
12. France
13. Denmark
14. Finland
11. New Zealand
12. France
13. Denmark
14. Finland
Regarding Switzerland, the report emphasised that “Switzerland has low unemployment, a skilled labour force and one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world, according to the CIA World Factbook. The country’s strong economy was powered by low corporate tax rates, a highly-developed service sector led by financial services and a high-tech manufacturing industry.”
Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Travel Triangle
Key themes from the 2020 Best Countries report include:
Switzerland stayed on top overall. Canada moved up to #2 and Japan was #3. Rounding out the top 5 were Germany and Australia. The UK came in at #6, and the US rose to #7.
Respondents painted a bleak picture when asked about nations’ trustworthiness. While the US was perceived as the most powerful country in the world, data showed it was not perceived as trustworthy. Canada was seen as the most trustworthy country, and has been since the first Best Countries report in 2016. During that same time, perceptions of the US as being trustworthy steadily dropped to a record low of 16.3 on a 100-point scale. The UK also fell in this attribute, while Greece, South Korea and Spain improved.
There was a global consensus about the effect of climate change. 87% agreed that climate change was serious. Of the 36 countries surveyed, people in Russia agreed about climate change the least (71%), and Indonesia agreed the most (97%) along with African nations like Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. But only 60% of respondents agreed their country was effectively addressing its effects.
Global anxiety about technology persisted. 74% of people thought large technology companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon should be limited, and about the same number agreed that technology was displacing jobs. The UK, Canada and Australia agreed most with limiting large technology corporations. In Japan, which was perceived as a technology powerhouse, 31.5% agreed that technology was displacing jobs; 55% agreed that big tech should be limited.
Gender equality was viewed favourably, but there was a gap between perception and reality. 90% of respondents agreed that women should be entitled to the same rights as men. However when asked whether women actually did have the same economic opportunities as men in their countries, only 64% agreed. 69% of people said they view traditional gender roles as important to a functioning society, a perception similar between men (73%) and women (66%).
“This year’s Best Countries rankings continued to show us human rights, diversity, sustainability and free trade were all top of mind for many worldwide, connecting us together. These fundamental topics were vital to a nation’s brand strength and reflected how the quality of life can have a dramatic influence on global perception,” said Michael Sussman, CEO, BAV Group. [I might disagree with these measures being the most important].
Canada's Rideau Canal, C19th,
made up of a chain of lakes, rivers and canals stretching 202 ks from Kingston to Ottawa.
Canadian Tourism Commission
The 2020 Best Countries methodology used data gathered from a proprietary survey of 20,000+ business leaders; college educated individuals that were at least middle class; and general citizens who were representative of their country. The goal of the Best Countries report was to understand how global perceptions are related to investment, foreign trade and tourism of a nation, David Reibstein, professor of marketing at Wharton, correctly noted. But in my opinion, Best Countries should also measure peace for the residents, democracy, universal health care, adequate social housing, unemployment rates, free schooling for all children etc
Respondents painted a bleak picture when asked about nations’ trustworthiness. While the US was perceived as the most powerful country in the world, data showed it was not perceived as trustworthy. Canada was seen as the most trustworthy country, and has been since the first Best Countries report in 2016. During that same time, perceptions of the US as being trustworthy steadily dropped to a record low of 16.3 on a 100-point scale. The UK also fell in this attribute, while Greece, South Korea and Spain improved.
There was a global consensus about the effect of climate change. 87% agreed that climate change was serious. Of the 36 countries surveyed, people in Russia agreed about climate change the least (71%), and Indonesia agreed the most (97%) along with African nations like Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. But only 60% of respondents agreed their country was effectively addressing its effects.
Global anxiety about technology persisted. 74% of people thought large technology companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon should be limited, and about the same number agreed that technology was displacing jobs. The UK, Canada and Australia agreed most with limiting large technology corporations. In Japan, which was perceived as a technology powerhouse, 31.5% agreed that technology was displacing jobs; 55% agreed that big tech should be limited.
Gender equality was viewed favourably, but there was a gap between perception and reality. 90% of respondents agreed that women should be entitled to the same rights as men. However when asked whether women actually did have the same economic opportunities as men in their countries, only 64% agreed. 69% of people said they view traditional gender roles as important to a functioning society, a perception similar between men (73%) and women (66%).
“This year’s Best Countries rankings continued to show us human rights, diversity, sustainability and free trade were all top of mind for many worldwide, connecting us together. These fundamental topics were vital to a nation’s brand strength and reflected how the quality of life can have a dramatic influence on global perception,” said Michael Sussman, CEO, BAV Group. [I might disagree with these measures being the most important].
made up of a chain of lakes, rivers and canals stretching 202 ks from Kingston to Ottawa.
Canadian Tourism Commission
The 2020 Best Countries methodology used data gathered from a proprietary survey of 20,000+ business leaders; college educated individuals that were at least middle class; and general citizens who were representative of their country. The goal of the Best Countries report was to understand how global perceptions are related to investment, foreign trade and tourism of a nation, David Reibstein, professor of marketing at Wharton, correctly noted. But in my opinion, Best Countries should also measure peace for the residents, democracy, universal health care, adequate social housing, unemployment rates, free schooling for all children etc
So I checked Quality of Life. Beyond the essential ideas of broad access to food and housing, to quality education and health care and employment, this measure may also include intangibles such as job security, political stability, individual freedom and environmental quality.
For Quality of Life
1. Canada
2. Denmark
3. Sweden
4. Norway
5. Australia
6. Netherlands
7. Switzerland
8. New Zealand
9. Finland
10. Germany
2. Denmark
3. Sweden
4. Norway
5. Australia
6. Netherlands
7. Switzerland
8. New Zealand
9. Finland
10. Germany
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10 comments:
Fascinating. Even the general Australian population are out of step with the world view of the seriousness of climate change. The different criteria for Quality of Life did rather alter the results for some countries. I am surprised that in that survey Germany is so low at number ten, and I am surprised Austria is not in either list.
Re quality of life Norway, Sweden and Denmark deserve to be at or near the top. Their schools, hospitals, homes and green environments are top notch.
Andrew
Switzerland and Germany were right up there, as expected, but I don't know the first thing about low corporate tax rates, highly-developed service sectors led by financial services, high-tech manufacturing industries, limiting large technology corporations, investment, foreign trade etc. Clearly banks, trade and finances were more important in this Best Countries Report than I would have hoped.
Student
quite right... women, children, migrants, greenies and working class families seem to be treated much more inclusively in Norway, Sweden and Denmark than in other countries I have lived in or visited.
By the way, I wonder if Quality of Life includes some measure of temperate climate. I would live in Sweden in a heartbeat if it wasn't freezing cold in winter.
Hello Hels, These ranking lists can be fun but should not be taken too seriously, since so much depends on individual taste and opinion. I have seen lists of the "best" cities in the U.S., and the top-rankers are usually places I would not be seen dead in!
It seems that many of those favored countries have a relatively low density of population--if lots of people moved there, I'm sure things would change quickly.
It is too bad about the U.S. losing so much of its prestige, but unfortunately it is for good reason. I cannot tell you how bad I feel about not only the current administration, but most importantly the lack of serious opposition to it.
--Jim
p.s. I wonder if Taiwan was even considered in these listings?
Parnassus
methodology is everything. The Global Liveability Survey assessed 140 of the world’s major cities in fixed categories: stability, education, universal health care, infrastructure (particularly public transport), culture and environment. The Liveability results came from published city and federal reports, not from “collaborating with leaders in data and academia". So I am not even sure which variables were chosen by the 2020 Best Countries Report, or their reliability.
I cannot see Taiwan in the Best Countries full list but then only 73 countries in the world were included. See https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/overall-rankings
Goodness, I’m remembering when Melbourne was getting the kudos for World’s most liveable city!
Sue
Quite correct. From 2004-2010 Vancouver was the winner. Then Melbourne was continuously awarded World's Most Liveable City from 2011 to 2017 and since then, gorgeous Vienna JUST won the crown in 2018 and 2019.
Mostly the changes from year to year are small. But I suppose change might occur quickly e.g one earthquake, pandemic or terrorist bomb
Hi Hels - so subjective aren't they ... but I'm sure I'd essentially agree. I do confirm that Canada is pretty amazing ... while where we'll end up in a few years remains to be seen - not easy for anyone without a good job, or extra cash around ... cheers Hilary
Hilary
You are spot on for our own preferences... totally subjective. I have tended to be happiest spending lots of time in countries where I have close relatives - Israel, Canada and Great Britain. Joe is in love with Japan.
But the variables used in the The Best Countries analysis and in The World's Most Liveable City comparison should have been totally objective!
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