“Switzerland Ranks #1 in Best Countries 2024 While India Drops to 33rd: A Tale of Global Leadership and Emerging Resilience”
Switzerland Retains the Top Spot for Three Consecutive Years
For the third year in a row, Switzerland has been ranked as the number one country in the world by US News & World Report in its Best Countries Ranking 2024. This impressive feat further solidifies the Central European nation’s reputation as a global leader in quality of life, openness to business, and overall stability.
The ranking, which evaluates 89 countries, is based on global perception using 10 sub-rankings that include key factors such as adventure, agility, heritage, entrepreneurship, and cultural purpose. A total of 73 attributes are considered when evaluating each country.
What Keeps Switzerland on Top?
Switzerland consistently excels in categories like quality of life and business openness, securing its position at the top. However, its lowest ranking comes in the field of heritage, showing that even the best-ranked countries have areas of improvement. This year marks the seventh time that Switzerland has taken the top spot, with other European countries dominating the list of the top 25.
Japan, the United States, Canada, and Australia follow closely behind Switzerland, reinforcing the strength of developed nations in this ranking.
India’s Position: A Dip in the Rankings but High Scores in ‘Movers’ and Heritage
India Slips to 33rd Spot
India, meanwhile, saw a slight drop in its ranking, falling from 30th place in 2023 to 33rd in 2024. Despite the decline, the country performed well in specific sub-rankings, such as ‘movers,’ where it ranks 7th, and heritage, where it stands at 10th. The ‘movers’ category, which carries the heaviest weight in the rankings, measures a nation’s adaptability and resilience, highlighting India’s potential for future growth.
However, India’s weakest performances were in social purpose and adventure, reflecting challenges in areas such as social progress and cultural appeal.
Asia and Middle East in the Rankings
From Asia, only Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea made it to the top 25, with Japan ranking highest at second place. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar were the sole representatives from the Middle East in the top 25, at 17th and 25th places, respectively.
The Best Countries Ranking 2024: Measuring More Than Just Wealth
A Comprehensive Survey That Goes Beyond Economic Success
The Best Countries Ranking 2024 is part of an ongoing project by US News & World Report, now in its ninth year. The survey aims to assess countries on more than just wealth, focusing instead on qualitative factors that contribute to a nation’s global standing.
Using a model developed by the Wharton Business School, the survey measured the perceptions of 16,960 individuals from 36 countries. It evaluates a country’s success through its performance across various attributes, ranging from cultural significance to business capabilities.
Switzerland’s Consistency: The Key to Its Success
Switzerland’s ability to consistently perform across all sub-rankings, rather than being the highest in each category, is what makes it the best country overall. Its perceived stability and adaptability make it a global leader, highlighting the importance of balancing multiple factors to achieve sustained success.