The annual Best Countries ranking, published by U.S. News & World Report in collaboration with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the BAV Group, is a comprehensive study that evaluates global nations based on a variety of factors. The 2024 iteration of the rankings continues a tradition of gauging countries through multiple lenses, incorporating both quantitative data and subjective perceptions from a diverse set of global leaders, experts, and citizens. The rankings are designed to provide a snapshot of how nations are perceived on the global stage in terms of their overall power, economic stability, cultural influence, and more.

Core Dimensions of the Ranking

The methodology for the Best Countries 2024 ranking is grounded in several core dimensions that aim to cover a broad spectrum of what makes a country “best.” These dimensions include quality of life, power, social purpose, and economic strength, among others. Each dimension is carefully considered to ensure that a comprehensive picture of global nations is painted.

The rankings are based on both objective data (statistical measures) and subjective surveys (public perceptions) to arrive at a score that reflects each nation’s standing in the world.

1. Quality of Life

Quality of life is one of the most important factors in the ranking, as it directly correlates with the happiness, well-being, and standard of living of a country’s residents. This includes factors such as access to healthcare, education, and social services, as well as overall life satisfaction. It is measured using multiple indicators like:

• Health outcomes: Including life expectancy and the quality of national healthcare systems.
• Education: The effectiveness of a country’s education system and the availability of opportunities for its citizens.
• Safety and security: Levels of crime, political stability, and protection of civil rights.
• Environmental sustainability: Efforts toward protecting the environment and promoting green practices.

Countries that excel in providing high living standards, low crime rates, excellent healthcare, and solid educational infrastructure often rank highly in this dimension.

2. Power

The “power” dimension assesses how influential a country is on the global stage. This is a more subjective measure but includes several critical factors that influence the global perception of a nation’s power, including:

• Military strength: A country’s military capability and influence in international defense matters.
• Economic influence: A nation’s economic footprint on the world, particularly in international trade, investment, and financial systems.
• Diplomatic reach: The extent to which a country plays a leadership role in international politics and diplomacy.
• Cultural power: The reach and influence of a nation’s culture globally, through media, entertainment, fashion, technology, and language.

Nations such as the United States, China, and Russia frequently score highly in this dimension due to their geopolitical influence, military capabilities, and global economic presence.

3. Social Purpose

The “social purpose” dimension evaluates how a country is perceived in terms of its commitment to social justice, equality, and its role in addressing global issues such as climate change, humanitarianism, and human rights. Measures considered include:

• Human rights: A country’s dedication to safeguarding human rights and freedoms, including gender equality, racial equality, and the protection of minority groups.
• Environmental responsibility: Countries that are leaders in sustainability and environmental protection, such as those that have made strides in combating climate change and investing in renewable energy.
• Social welfare: The extent to which a country provides support to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, and impoverished.

Nations that are recognized for their commitment to human rights, reducing inequality, and fighting climate change are highly valued in this dimension.

4. Economic Strength

Economic strength is another major factor in the rankings, assessing a country’s overall economic health and the wealth of its citizens. This includes:

• GDP and growth rates: The size of the economy, its growth trajectory, and overall stability.
• Business environment: The ease of doing business, innovation, and infrastructure development.
• Standard of living: The wealth of the average citizen, and how well the economy provides for its people.
• Employment rates and income equality: The health of the labor market, opportunities for employment, and disparities in wealth distribution.

Nations with strong, stable economies and high levels of prosperity rank highly in this dimension. The United States, Germany, and Japan, for example, are often top contenders in the economic strength category due to their diverse, dynamic economies.

The Ranking Process: Data Collection and Scoring

The ranking process begins with the collection of data from both objective and subjective sources.

1. Objective Data

Objective data is sourced from global institutions, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and other reputable bodies that track statistics across various domains, including economics, health, education, and safety. These objective data points are used to provide a factual baseline for evaluating a country’s performance in the rankings.

For example, data on a country’s GDP, life expectancy, and crime rates are gathered and used to form part of its overall score.

2. Subjective Surveys

The subjective portion of the rankings is based on a series of surveys conducted with a wide array of global citizens and experts. The primary group of respondents includes more than 20,000 individuals across 87 countries. These participants are asked to rate countries on a variety of factors, including:

• Global perception: How a country is seen globally in terms of influence, desirability, and leadership.
• Leadership: How effective a country’s leadership is perceived in addressing global challenges.
• Innovation: How innovative a country is perceived to be, particularly in areas such as technology and research.

These subjective measures, along with the objective data, are weighted according to their importance in each dimension and combined to calculate each country’s overall score.

Weights and Calculations

Each of the dimensions (quality of life, power, social purpose, and economic strength) is assigned a specific weight. These weights are carefully calibrated to reflect the importance of each factor in determining a country’s standing in the world. For example:

• Quality of life: 30%
• Economic strength: 25%
• Power: 20%
• Social purpose: 15%

These weights are then used to aggregate the data from both objective and subjective sources, producing a final ranking that reflects a nation’s overall performance across all categories.

Conclusion

The 2024 Best Countries ranking is a multifaceted and rigorous evaluation of nations across a wide spectrum of important factors. By combining both objective data and subjective perceptions, the rankings provide an insightful reflection of global sentiment and the complex realities of what it means to be a “best” country today. From quality of life to economic strength and power, the methodology ensures that the rankings capture the broad and diverse attributes that contribute to a nation’s success and its role on the global stage.

In summary, the Best Countries ranking offers an invaluable tool for understanding how nations are perceived and how they perform in critical areas that influence global competitiveness, quality of life, and international standing.