You probably know that Malaysia ranks first as Asia’s best country to retire whereas Hong Kong is the safest country to travel in the world, but an update from global research firm US News & World Report which shows the world’s best countries has just one Asian tiger in its top 10 list – and it’s Japan.
Japan, the home of sushi and samurai, has been named the best country in Asia and fifth best in the world.
According to the new ranking, Japan left other Asian nations in the dust, with the closest contender being Singapore which took the 16th position overall.
Ratings for the 2018 Best Countries are based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics, impressions that have the potential to drive trade, travel and investment and directly affect national economies.
The report covers perceptions of participants from 80 nations.
Y&R’s BAV Group and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, both global strategic consultants, were responsible for developing the study and model used in assessing and ranking countries.
Y&R’s BAV Group partnered with the US-based researcher to develop the scoring system across nine key categories which include: citizenship, adventure, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, movers, heritage, power, trade opportunities, and quality of life.
The top 10 best countries in the world were dominated by Europe and North America with Switzerland taking the first position while Asia-Pacific, represented by Japan and Australia, also made it into the top 10.
Beautiful Japan
Japan ranks high for its entrepreneurship, business, power and cultural influence although it earned low points on adventure.
The findings ranked Australia 7th in the world despite the country’s big wins on quality of life, beating out Switzerland, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
Here’s the full list of Top 10 Best Countries in the World:
- Switzerland
- Canada
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- Sweden
- Australia
- United States
- France
- Netherlands
Other countries in Asia and Asia-Pacific are: China (20th best in the world), South Korea (22), India (25), Thailand (27), Malaysia (34), Indonesia (41), Vietnam (44), Philippines (49), Burma (63), and Pakistan (74th in the world).
Philippines topped the list as the best country for investments, with emphasis on its teeming young population which analysts say, will attract more firms looking for a reliable and highly productive labor force.
Worthy of mention is Thailand, who made the top 5 most adventurous countries.
Image shows Japan’s beautiful Kyoto Gardens
