In a recently released report, Canada has been ranked the #1 country in the world.
It’s the first time the U.S. News & World Report has placed our great nation at the top of its annual Best Countries Report.
In previous years. Canada ranked in second and third positions on the roundup.
This year, the model has evolved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While cultural, economic, political, and technological influences remain important in the ranking, two new categories were added: social purpose and agility.
Together, this broad range of categories determines how the 78 countries are ranked on the world stage, as well as individually.
Canada ranked #3 Most Agile, as in dynamic, adaptable, and modern, and #1 for Social Purpose, as in most progressive, inclusive, and committed to social justice.
Other key themes for ranking included women viewed as effective leaders, and how essential it is for any country to be seen as adaptable, progressive, and responsive, which Canada scored high in each.
Interestingly enough, how influential conspiracy theories are to a country was also a factor.
Together with the BAV Group, VMLY&R, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the basis of the survey came from more than 17,000 people from four regions assessing perceptions of 78 countries on 76 different metrics.
“This year the model behind the Best Countries report has been updated and evolved in response to 2020, a year like no other,” said John Keaveney, WPP advisor and head of Analytics & Insight for BAV Group.
“From the death of George Floyd and the subsequent rise of the social justice movement to the need for quick and decisive action by our governments and scientists to tackle the threat from COVID-19, all such seismic events now play a role in the way citizens rate a nation and its society as a whole.”
Here are the 2021 Best Countries rankings
Overall
- Canada
- Japan
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Australia
- United States
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- The Netherlands
Most Powerful
- United States
- China
- Russia
See the full rankings here.
