Canada has moved up from number two in 2020, to first place for best overall country. It is followed by Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. The United States comes in sixth place, while Iraq come last at 78th place. According to the 2021 Best Countries Report.
For the first time in the study’s six-year history, Canada took the place of the incumbent country Switzerland which has held the title three times in a row, to become the globe’s best country overall.
The Best Countries Report is an annual ranking released by US. News & World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.
The report evaluated 79 nations using 76 different metrics considering among other things like how countries are perceived, economics, military presence, education, and quality of life.
The study involved more than 17,000 individuals from 36 countries spread across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. More than 10,000 of those surveyed were “informed elites”, over 4,900 were “business decision-makers”, and the rest were considered general public.
A number of new metrics were added to this year’s report, including racial equity, commitment to social justice, adaptability, and commitment to climate goals.
“Canada is also perceived as having a good job market, caring about human rights and is committed to social justice. Additionally, the country finished No. 1 in being viewed as not corrupt and respecting property rights,” the report stated.
Canada also ranked first in Quality of Life and Social Purpose. It came in sixth place for Entrepreneurship, third for most business-friendly countries, and third in Agility.
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