The Best Country in the World? Survey Says It’s Switzerland
"The new rankings reflect people’s desire to restore some sense of order by rewarding nations they perceive as championing neutrality, stability
and diplomacy." The survey was conducted after the 2016 United States presidential election and polled more than 21,000 people described by organizers as "business leaders, informed elites and general citizens." America slid three spots and was ranked the seventh-best country in the world.
The results were based on how respondents ranked each country in terms of its commitment
to human rights, gender equality, income equality, public education and health.
An annual survey of the best countries in the world was released on Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report, along with Y&R’s BAV Consulting
and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Survey respondents gave it lower marks on business friendliness, respect for human rights
and democracy, and educational quality; they also said they had less desire to visit the country.
The United States leads the world in military spending — the military gets a larger share of the federal budget than any other part of government —
and President Trump has called for that to grow by $54 billion.
The ranking was based on how survey respondents viewed a country’s position on human
rights, gender equality, income equality, safety and overall progressive attitude.