Canada ranked second best country globally

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In the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s best countries list released this year, Canada was ranked as the second best country in the world, following Germany which topped the list.

A total of 60 countries were weighed in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics grouped into nine sub-rankings: adventure, citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, power, and quality of life.

These attributes were presented in a survey conducted with over 16,200 respondents from across the globe. The scores gathered were then transformed into a scale that allowed comparison among countries.

Here is the Top 10:

1) Germany

2) Canada

3) United Kingdom

4) United States of America

5) Sweden

6) Australia

7) Japan

8) France

9) Netherlands

10) Denmark

“Globalization has made the world a competitive place for business, influence, and the quality of life,” U.S. News chairman Mortimer Zuckerman said in a statement.

In the sub-rankings, Canada emerged first for quality of life which was based on affordability, job market, economic stability, family-friendliness, income equality, political stability, safety, education system and health system.

Canada is first, Sweden second, Denmark third, Australia fourth, and Netherlands fifth.

The country also placed second for citizenship which was based on human rights, environment, gender equality, progressiveness, religious freedom, property rights, trustworthiness, and political power.

Sweden is first, Canada second, Denmark third, Netherlands fourth, and Australia fifth.

Canada’s neighbor, the U.S. also ranked well in the rankings as it was named as the fourth best country in the world; first for power and third for cultural influence and entrepreneurship.

“Just as we have done with universities, hospitals and other institutions, our Best countries portal will be a global homepage for stories and data to help citizens, business leaders and governments evaluate performance in a rapidly changing world,” Zuckerman said.

The report was prepared and released by the WEF in Switzerland, U.S. News and World Report, University of Pennsylvania, and BAV Consulting.