Switzerland is “world’s best country”

The Best Countries Report is compiled by U.S. News & World Report, the BAV Group and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The report covers perceptions of 80 countries worldwide. It surveys a variety of criteria, from cultural influence and military power to education and quality of life. Switzerland has maintained its number one overall position in the rankings for the third consecutive year. Japan was second, followed by Canada, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Australia and the USA.

Switzerland fared particularly well in the category that measures the extent to which individual countries are “open for business”. In this context, it scored highly for a favourable tax environment and transparent government practices. Switzerland was also far in the lead in the “entrepreneurship” category, which includes attributes such as access to capital, innovativeness, connection to the rest of the world and educated population. Scores for “quality of life” were also impressive in Switzerland. The country is family friendly, politically and economically stable as well as having a good public education and health system.

Switzerland has carved out a brand internationally that is one of quality and impartiality, commented Daniel Hamilton of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in a press release from U.S. News & World Report. It also plays a major mediation role and is home to several United Nations agencies.