Switzerland was ranked the world’s best country, perceived as “a sanctuary for calm reason” and commended for its attitude to education, democracy, business and quality of life.
Switzerland has been named as the world’s Best Country 2017 in a survey of 21,000 people in 36 countries assessing nations on 65 attributes of liveability.
Switzerland was ranked the world’s best country, perceived as “a sanctuary for calm reason” and commended for its attitude to education, democracy, business and quality of life.
Last year’s winner, Germany, slipped to fourth partly because of a string of terrorist attacks and the social and political unrest over its decision to let in large numbers of refugees.
The US tumbled down the pecking order from fourth to seventh.
Although the report considered the US the world's most powerful nation, 75% of the survey's respondents said they lost respect for the leadership in the White House after Donald Trump was elected.
They also marked it down for business friendliness, respect for human rights and democracy, and educational quality, and said they also had less desire to visit the US.
The United States holds on to its most powerful tag, beating off the competition of Russia in second place.
The list - 2017 Best Countries - is compiled using data gathered from a perception survey which was conducted after the US presidential election.
The countries that ranked the lowest of the 80-country survey were Algeria, Iran and Serbia.
The survey, conducted by US News & World Report, along with Y&R’s BAV Consulting and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, rolled the 65 attributes into nine major categories: Adventure, Citizenship, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power and Quality of Life, and in 2017 prioritised countries that enjoyed a degree of peace, quiet and prosperity.
“Our data captured widespread global concern for the social and geopolitical changes that cast many nations into uncertainty and turmoil,” said John Gerzema, chief executive of BAV Consulting.
“The new rankings reflect people’s desire to restore some sense of order by rewarding nations they perceive as championing neutrality, stability and diplomacy.”
According to the 2017 Best Countries Report, the Top 20 overall best countries to live in are:
1. Switzerland
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Japan
6. Sweden
7. United States
8. Australia
9. France
10. Norway
11. Netherlands
12. Denmark
13. Finland
14. New Zealand
15. Singapore
16. Italy
17. Luxembourg
18. Austria
19. Spain
20. China