Canada, The US, UAE and Qatar ranked among world's "Best Countries."
Switzerland, is the World’s best country in 2019, according to the recently published US News and World Report, created in collaboration with the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Switzerland is closely followed by Japan, and then Canada, to round off the top 3.
The study used the following methodology:
“A set of 65 country attributes – terms that can be used to describe a country and that are also relevant to the success of a modern nation – were identified. Attributes by nation were presented in a survey of more than 20,000 people from across the globe. Participants assessed how closely they associated an attribute with a nation….Attributes were grouped into nine subrankings that rolled into the Best Countries ranking: Adventure, Citizenship, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power and Quality of Life….To determine the weight each subranking score had in the overall Best Countries score, each was correlated to 2017 gross domestic product at purchasing power parity per capita, a measure of inclusive prosperity, as reported by the International Monetary Fund. “
Who made the cut?
The list also included Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Oman, and Turkey among the top 80 countries of 2019. Australia made the top 10, at number 7, while the United States was ranked as the 8th best country. The UK was ranked at number 5.
The 80 best countries includes a number of potentially surprising entries. Countries in the GCC, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others are known for the temporal nature of immigration policies. However, most GCC countries, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, ranked highly for “Movers” (i.e. those relocating).
In addition, Japan, with its history and innovative technology landscape, jumped into the top 3 this year. Japan is currently the nation with the third-largest economy in the world, and the country is among the world's largest producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment and steel.
Switzerland maintains it’s rank at number 1 from last year. Switzerland has low unemployment, a skilled labor force and one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world, according to the CIA World Factbook. The country’s strong economy is powered by low corporate tax rates, a highly-developed service sector led by financial services and a high-tech manufacturing industry.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Canada rounds off the top 3, and among its highlights are its low population, wealth, immigration opportunities, and economic potential. Canada is the second largest country in the world, with 2/3 of its population living within 125 miles of the US border. However, the population of Canada currently hovers at around 35 million people only.
While the service sector is Canada’s biggest economic driver, the country is a significant exporter of energy, food and minerals. Canada also ranks third in the world in proven oil reserves. The United States continues to be Canada’s biggest trading partner.
Economic and Business Immigration Opportunities
With the potential for growth still remaining, Canada is an attractive destination for Immigrants. The policy of multiculturalism adopted by the government in the 1980s remains in effect to this day, and Canada is known for having a population of “global citizens” with business and cultural links across the world.
Australia also maintains a robust service economy, and recent migration from East Asia has also made the cultural milieu more dynamic. Australia maintains strong ties to the commonwealth countries, and the US, and is also a global player in the services and commodities market. This makes it an attractive destination for migrants and businesses, given that it does maintain an immigration policy which encourages immigration in particular categories.
If you are interested in migrating to, visiting or doing business in the United States, Canada, Europe or Australia/NZ, set up your free consultation with us today.