Switzerland tops Best Countries 2024 survey again: Here’s why

Switzerland has been named the best country in the world for the third consecutive year, according to US News & World Report’s “Best Countries 2024.” The nation continues to impress with its stability, quality of life, and global influence.

The survey ranks 89 countries based on how they’re viewed globally, using 10 key factors such as adventure, agility, heritage, entrepreneurship, quality of life, and cultural influence. These categories are broken down into 73 specific attributes that each country is judged on.

Switzerland has secured the top spot for the seventh time, excelling in areas like quality of life, openness to business, and social purpose, making it the top-ranked country in the survey once again. Following Switzerland, the top five other countries in the 2024 list are Japan, the USA, Canada, and Australia.

Apart from Switzerland, only two other countries have ever reached the top spot in the Best Countries rankings: Germany, which led the inaugural list in 2016, and Canada in 2021, briefly breaking Switzerland’s winning streak from 2017 to 2020. European nations lead the rankings, securing most of the top 25 spots and solidifying their prominent global presence.

Why Switzerland Ranks as the Best Country 2024

The ranking of countries is based on various factors such as openness to business, quality of life, entrepreneurship, social purpose, cultural influence, agility, adventure, movers, power, and heritage. Switzerland excels in areas like openness to business, where it truly stands out. It is ranked as the least corrupt nation in the Best Countries analysis and places fifth for perceptions of a favorable tax environment that contribute to its high ranking in this subcategory.

It also has “relatively low taxes compared to other countries” and a work culture where “work isn’t viewed as a chore.” The country holds the No. 5 spot in the entrepreneurship subranking. Mesot also highlights the success of his university’s startup ecosystem but feels that business leaders in Switzerland could set even more ambitious goals.

It also topped the list for best quality of life, attributed to its low crime rate and robust transportation system. In the Best Countries ranking, it is perceived as the safest nation and ranks No. 10 for its infrastructure.

Switzerland is often best known for its long-standing political neutrality, a stance meant to preserve its independence and keep the nation out of conflicts. However, this position has stirred some controversy, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Presence Switzerland, a government agency promoting the country internationally, reported that while neutrality became more closely associated with Switzerland that year, it was seen in a less positive light than in previous years.

Where India Stands in 2024 Ranking

India has been ranked 33rd in the Best Countries Ranking 2024, falling three spots from its 2023 position. From Asia, only Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea made it into the top 25. This year’s rankings highlight India’s relative position in a competitive global landscape, with a few Asian countries achieving higher rankings.

The Best Countries Ranking 2024 by US News & World Report, now in its ninth year, evaluates countries on more than just wealth. The survey included 16,960 people from 36 countries and used a model from Wharton Business School. Switzerland stands out for its steady performance across different categories, making it the top-ranked country due to its perceived stability.

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