Canada has dropped a spot, but we’re still on the podium.
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index (NBI) is an annual study that has been conducted since 2008, gathering perceptions of countries around the world and ranking them from top to bottom. The latest index puts Germany in first place for the sixth year in a row. Japan was second (it was also second in 2018), while Canada fell from second last year to third this year.
The U.S. remains in eighth place this year, same as in 2021.
Other notable changes include the UK, which was second in 2002 but now sits in the sixth position. Russia was 27th a year ago but has fallen to 57th, no doubt due to the war on Ukraine.
“This year’s results remind us that chaos damages countries’ reputations, and stability is rewarded,” says Ipsos CEO Ben Page. “Britain sees itself fall again, now dropping out of the top five for the first time ever. Russia has been punished for its war by global public opinion, dropping from 27th place last year to 58th now.
“If Germany is an unexciting country to some, overall it remains world number one yet again. In uncertain times, there is something to be said for predictability.”
Here’s the top 20:
1. Germany
2. Japan
3. Canada
4. Italy
5. France
6. UK
7. Switzerland
8. United States
9. Sweden
10. Australia
11. Spain
12. Norway
13. Netherlands
14. New Zealand
15. Scotland
16. Austria
17. Finland
18. Ireland
19. Belgium
20. Greece
Ipsos said Canada dropped in the rankings on Governance, where it once held a first-place ranking. However, it is still the top nation on the People and Immigration and Investment Indices.
Officials said this year’s survey marks the first time the UK has missed the top five.
“The UK is reputationally sound on the Culture, Exports, and Immigration and Investment indices, and is rated particularly positively regarding its contemporary culture, science and technology, feeling good about buying products from the UK, and educational qualifications. However, the United Kingdom sees weaknesses on the People and Governance indices, where it received lower marks on the welcoming nature of its people and having a competent and honest government.”
I can’t figure out why Australia is below the U.S., or why New Zealand isn’t in the top ten. But that’s just me.
