Light up:Switzerland Returns as No. 1 in 2024 Best Countries Rankings

Like clockwork, the country known for its timepieces, cheese and chocolate has yet again taken the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Countries rankings, marking the third year in a row and the seventh time overall Switzerland has placed No. 1.

The central European nation is followed by Japan (No. 2), the United States (No. 3), Canada (No. 4) and Australia (No. 5) in the latest edition of the analysis, released Tuesday.

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.

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

The Best Countries rankings and analysis from U.S. News are formed in partnership with global marketing and communications services company WPP and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The project is based on a global survey in which nearly 17,000 people across 36 nations associated various countries with specific attributes, ranging from “dynamic,” “safe” and “a leader” to “cares about human rights,” “economically stable” and “committed to social justice.”

The survey this year contained 73 unique attributes in total and encompassed 89 countries. Kuwait and Iceland were included in the rankings for the first time in the project’s history after meeting benchmark criteria.

The Top 3
Switzerland has ranked No. 1 nearly every year since 2017. This year, it was bolstered by notable performances in three of the heaviest-weighted subrankings: quality of life (No. 3), entrepreneurship (No. 5) and social purpose (No. 7). Switzerland also rated highly in the open for business subranking (No. 2) and for cultural influence (No. 8). In the heaviest-weighted movers subranking, it landed at No. 19 among the 89 countries ranked, though that marked a jump of four spots from 2023. Its lowest ranking was No. 29, in heritage.

Japan climbed four spots to reach No. 2 overall – a spot it last held in 2021. Similar to Switzerland, the country performed well in heavily weighted subrankings such as entrepreneurship (No. 3) and movers (No. 8). At the attribute level, the home of companies like Toyota and Sony ranked No. 1 for a number of characteristics, including for being innovative, modern and educated and for having technological expertise.