Denmark — made up of a peninsula that juts out from continental Europe and more than 400 named islands in the North Sea — was 13th on last year’s list of best countries in the world.
Although the Nordic nation finished 10th among the best countries in 2024, it finished first in several categories, including quality of life and social purpose. The latter category weighed human rights, the environment, and equality.
Even after its exit from the EU in 2020, the United Kingdom remains a desirable place to live.
While it finished ninth in 2023, the UK made a small leap to the eighth spot this year.
The UK ranks highest in entrepreneurship and power — both fourth — but made no appearance in the adventure category and placed 15th out of 89 countries in heritage.
7. Germany
Sweden.
Murat Taner/Getty Images
Population: 10.6 million
GDP: $590 billion
Sweden sat comfortably at third on last year’s list.
But even at its current No. 6 spot, it ranked high in other categories like quality of life and social purpose — second in both.
Sweden did not finish in the top 20 for power or influence.
5. Australia
Canada.
bluejayphoto/Getty Images
Population: 38.8 million
GDP: $1.7 trillion
This year, Canada fell from second to fourth place, though it still ranked in the top five for quality of life, social purpose, and agility.
The Commonwealth nation ranked sixth for entrepreneurship and landed in the top 10 for comfortable retirement, raising children, and education.
Canada ranked 15th on the list of business-friendly countries and 14th on the one for influential countries.
3. United States
Japan.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
Population: 123.2 million
GDP: $4.3 trillion
Japan jumped to second place overall from sixth place last year.
It ranked third for entrepreneurship and fifth for cultural influence.
Japan ranked eighth for power, agility, and “movers” which U.S. News defined as “ones to watch.”
Japan also ranked highly in business and careers categories such as forward-looking countries, best countries to invest in, and top countries to start a career.
However, Japan did not crack the top 20 for being business-friendly, the best place to visit, or having a social purpose.
1. Switzerland
Switzerland.
Jordan Lye/Moment/Getty Images
Population: 8.9 million
GDP: $819 billion
Switzerland consistently ranked high among many of U.S. News’ key criteria.
Switzerland ranked third for quality of life, fifth for entrepreneurship, and second for being open to business. It also topped the lists of countries for comfortable retirement and starting a career.
However, it ranked comparably lower, 19th, for “movers,” which is also an indicator for countries with high-potential economies.
It ranked outside the top 20 for the heritage category, which considered cultural traditions.
