Switzerland tops 2024 best countries rankings

Switzerland has been ranked No.1 in the annual Best Countries rankings by U.S. News & World Report for the third year in a row, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.

The 2024 analysis reflects perceptions of 89 countries based on a survey of nearly 17,000 global citizens. Respondents evaluated countries across dozens of attributes within 10 subrankings, including heritage, cultural influence, power, and social purpose.

Specific attributes such as ‘dynamic’, ‘safe’, ‘a leader’, ‘cares about human rights’, ‘economically stable’, and ‘committed to social justice’ were also assessed.

European countries made up the majority of the top 25, holding 15 spots in the 2024 rankings.

Two Middle Eastern countries made that cut – the United Arab Emirates and Qatar – while Asia was represented by Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. Kuwait and Iceland were included in the rankings for the first time in the project’s history after meeting benchmark criteria.

The 10 Best Countries in the world, according to U.S. News & World Report, are: 1. Switzerland, 2. Japan, 3. United States, 4. Canada, 5. Australia, 6. Sweden, 7. Germany, 8. United Kingdom, 9. New Zealand, and 10. Denmark.

Kazakhstan ranks 83rd this year, moving up one spot from 84th in 2023. Azerbaijan ranks 81st, dropping four spots from 79th in 2023. Uzbekistan ranks 74th, jumping 9 spots from 83rd in 2023.