Top 10 Best Countries in the World

Ever wonder what it would be like to live somewhere completely different? Imagine new flavors, a new language swirling around you, or stunning landscapes that take your breath away.

The world is full of incredible countries, each with a unique charm and way of life.

The Top Ten

United States

The United States of America, or the U.S.A. for short, is a federal republic composed of 50 states. Forty-eight of them are contiguous states. The other two, Alaska and Hawaii, are located to the northwest and south of the contiguous states, respectively. The United States declared its independence from... read more

This country has serious issues: a too-large and corrupt government, too-powerful corporatism, fake politicians, a horribly fragile economy, a corrupt justice system, a crappy education system, clowns in office for the past 25 years, etc. I could literally go on forever about how screwed we, the people, are.
But despite all of that, I still put the USA at the top because of where we came from. We had wonderful founding fathers who hated tyranny and loved liberty, yet they are demonized today. These great men forged the greatest piece of writing ever created in this country, called The Constitution of the United States of America. This is what makes the USA great. This is why we have had such glorious freedom for so long now. This Constitution has outdone every other constitution in existence, and its principles can even help us in the mess we are in today. But our leaders are violating it every day without a care and without punishment. But I digress. This country is my pick for number one because it was founded on the God-given right to be free and was a haven for liberty.
Canada

Canada is a country in North America that borders the United States, and it is the second-largest country in the world by area (9.985 million km²). The country has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada became a dominion on July 1, 1867.... read more

Canada may not have the largest population, nor the biggest army, and may not have the biggest economy. But what this Great North, strong and free, has is good people, a good economy, amazing natural areas, and a diverse culture. In Canada, any man, woman, or child who immigrates may get dual citizenship, allowing them to further express themselves in our great cultural mosaic.
Better to be a vibrant individual in Canada than be another bit of grey slop in the American melting pot. The Canadians conquered Vimy Ridge when no other could. We fought for the allies in WWII. Also, if America is "so good," then why do they always use Canadian cities to represent American cities in their "good" films?
Also, the Canadian political system is superior to the American for the reason that if the Prime Minister says there is something that should be done, it is then done! None of the pointless banter between Congress and a president. Should be leaving the U.S. in the dust, along with its overt racism and its phobia of any form of benefit for the general populace. If the U.S. gets a free health care system, they may have a fleeting chance, but honestly, I think they should stop being hypocritical and try using their own oil for once! Stop going to other countries for workforces. That might beat the unemployment problems there!
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly shortened to the United Kingdom, UK, or Britain, is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of Europe. It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy currently led by Monarch King Charles III, and its current Prime Minister... read more

Good food. You can't go wrong with beans on spaghetti. Rich history, nice people, tennis, hockey, football, rugby, cricket, and golf, many landmarks, the Tube, and a strong military. A great country.

Free education, free healthcare, and a strong military too. If a country like that ever comes along, it will be the best, and it has! The U.K. deserves to be on the list because, without it, Napoleon or Hitler could have taken over the world. It's supported a lot of countries and deserves a first-place certificate. Sorry, America, you might be first in this and nearly everything else, but in reality, the results would leave you shocked! "Land of opportunity" - tell me, if you say this to everyone in the world, the least you could do is actually prove it by something. Anyway, here's my point: it's supported countries, it gives free education/healthcare, and with a high and powerful economy, will soon start booming. You have my word.
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia in the Pacific Ocean. It lies off the eastern coast of the Asian mainland (east of China, Korea, and Russia) and stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and near Taiwan in the southwest.... read more

Japan is a nice place, but I can't forgive them for glorifying and biasing their historical memory. I've seen enough Japanese bias in the media. They obsess over Hiroshima and Japanese lives while calling World War II massacres of Chinese and Koreans fake. The government also removes "unsavory" depictions of themselves in war from historical textbooks.
This has led to outrage and protests from thousands in Korea and China. Even the Taiwanese ruler canceled a visit to Japan because they felt uncomfortable with the Japanese depictions of World War II. Not that the country's third world, but just like the USA, it has its flaws and still has a wonderful culture, even if it has a questionable treatment of history.
France

France, officially the French Republic, is a sovereign state comprising territory in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. The European part of France, called metropolitan France, extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to... read more

I am also Algerian and Muslim, and I do not share the same opinion as some others here. I am living in France, and I feel good. It is not perfect, but is there a perfect country? And if we compare with some other European or non-European countries like Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Italy, Hungary, Australia, and lots more, France is a nice country.
Right, some are xenophobic, but everywhere it is the same and really worse in countries I have just said. My brother has a good business here in France. I work for him, and our best clients are French. They like our food, and we have never had bad remarks. We tried to open a restaurant in Italy and were insulted. Right, colonies were bad, but I do prefer having been colonized by the French than by another country. And the French now are far from thinking like before. I am not sure about those other countries. I am sure you do not hit the right target. Anyway, we are friends, but we should also be with French people. Believe me.
Germany

Germany was formally united in 1871 under the initiative of Bismarck, with King Wilhelm of Prussia as emperor. The previous Holy Roman Empire, essentially a continuation of the empire of Charlemagne (Karl der Große), was dissolved in 1806.... read more

Germany has been deemed the best country in the world, according to a new report published for 2016. The inaugural Best Countries list by U.S. News & World Report measures global performance on a variety of metrics and is topped by Germany this year.
1 Germany
2 Canada
3 United Kingdom
4 United States
5 Sweden
6 Australia
7 Japan
8 France
9 Netherlands
10 Denmark
Germany's leading position was due to a number of factors. They were the country with the best score in the entrepreneurship sub-ranking, informed by high marks given to their infrastructure, education, and skill level of their labor force. Other categories in which Germany posted strong scores include power - which combines military might and economic success to score a country based on its global influence - and quality of life.
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With a land area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 sq mi), Australia is the largest country by area in Oceania... read more

Australia would have to be a serious contender for the best country in the world to live. It is the world's largest island and has enormous natural wealth (93% of what the world requires to survive can be found in Australia). It has a population of only 22 million in a country the size of the mainland US (excluding Alaska), surrounded by some of the very best pristine beaches on the planet.
One of the only countries in the world that didn't enter into a recession during the GFC, Australia has a very small national debt which will be in the black within 2 years. The most diverse melting pot of different nationalities on the planet (more than the US), it's beautiful from the tropical heat in the north to the icy snow down south. Australia has it all. I've lived in Europe, the US, Hong Kong, and Singapore, traveled the world extensively, and easily chose Australia to live permanently. It was a very easy choice.
Switzerland

Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a federal republic in Europe. It consists of 26 cantons, and the city of Bern is the seat of the federal authorities.
The country is situated in Western-Central Europe and is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the... read more

Switzerland is greater than anything else you can imagine! Although I love 43 countries, Switzerland is my favorite of all! Check out the most famous customs: you'll always see an alphorn band throughout the day. Swiss cuisine is always clean and tasty. Geneva is a great shopping place. You can shop for watches, clothes, chocolate, etc.
You must live there! Just visit it in the summer and see the great wonders and destinations. You'll feel happy deep inside!

Switzerland is better than any country in the world. It's clean, beautiful, and has nice people. It may be small, but it should be number one. India is very dirty and should not be number one. You can really enjoy nature in Switzerland.
One more thing is, if you love shopping, most large Swiss cities have a section in the city dedicated to shops, so you can enjoy your favorite stores right in the heart of the cities!
New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is situated 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) south of the Pacific island territories of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. New Zealand's capital is Wellington... read more

I do agree New Zealand is the best country in the world. But then again, I am slightly biased considering I've lived here my whole life. However, I've traveled to every continent, and there's just something about coming back to New Zealand. The warmth of the people, the scenery which never fails to take my breath away, the yummy cuisine, the safe feeling about it, our stable and relatable politicians and government system, our unique flora and fauna - and many other great aspects which I don't have the patience to list.
However, although I love our country and people, I don't think it is kind or necessary for us to put down other countries regardless of what we think. As a New Zealander, I am proud of our kind, warm, relaxed, fun, accepting reputation, so it would be nice to see it reflected in the comments.
Sweden

Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe.
It borders Norway to the west and north and Finland to the east, and it is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund. At 450,295 square kilometers (173,860 sq mi), Sweden is... read more

Sweden has high standards. It is very safe and clean. Taxes are high to provide people with free healthcare and schooling. People are well-educated and polite. It's easy to live in Sweden.
Swedes are generally not racist, and they welcome a large number of immigrants. Most immigrants are really thankful to come from war-torn regions to such a peaceful country.
It's not paradise on earth. Some people might find it a bit stiff, and people are not usually very outgoing, but it's probably the number one best country to live in. My mother is Swedish, so I have visited the country many times. My favorite part is Dalecarlia, with its strong cultural heritage, great nature, and beautiful folklorist art.

The Newcomers

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Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was a country located in Southeastern and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1992. It was made up of several ethnic groups and experienced ongoing political and social conflicts. These tensions eventually led to its breakup into multiple independent countries.... read more

I love Yugoslavia because I am a Yugoslav from Bosnia. Everyone says that it is an artificial communist state, but they do not understand how we had more freedom during Yugoslavia than we do now.
We had free health care, medicine, and education. Now, they are destroying us with their so-called democracy. I love Yugoslavia. I am a Yugoslav.
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Soviet Union

My mother used to live in Latvia (an ex-member of the Soviet Union). She says that the food was different, healthier, and tastier than it is now.

Best country of all time. Deserves first place. Capitalist America deserves last place alongside imperial Britain.

Long live our glorious motherland!

The Contenders

India

India, officially known as the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area and the most populous country in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. It's also the world's most populous democracy.... read more

India is the best country in the world because it is very beautiful. It is the most powerful country, with the largest armed force. It is a big economic power. Jai ho!

Hello Indians, I'm from Bangladesh. I think this is a true review. India is one of the richest countries in the world, and it has a lot of attractive cultural traditions. It is also one of the largest countries in the world. Historical places are amazing, and travel destinations are captivating.
A huge number of Hindus, Muslims, and other religious people have been living together peacefully there for centuries. Some religious collisions were seen in the past, but neither Hindus nor Muslims of India should be blamed. It is the dirty "two-nation theory" which was the cause of all mishaps.
What did Pakistan do with Bangladeshi people (East Pakistan at that time) after 1947? They tortured both Hindus and Muslims of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi people will always thank India and Indian people for the great help and support during the liberation war. There are some people in Bangladesh who are still against the liberation of Bangladesh. These people are the main problem of Bangladesh.
We had been living together for centuries, and what separated us was the bloody "two-nation theory." I'm a Muslim, and I love Indians. I love Muslims and Hindus here in Bangladesh, but I hate the bloody "two-nation theory." Bangladesh will never forget India's brotherhood during the liberation war. I love Bangladesh, I love India.
Norway

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a sovereign and unitary monarchy in Northern Europe. Its territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, along with the island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard. Oslo is the capital, and Norwegian is the official language... read more

Norway is the best nation in the world, no doubt. It is the best place in the world to live, the second happiest country on the planet, and there are basically no class differences. The nature is so beautiful and well-preserved. There is no competitor. It has more lakes than Finland, aka the land of the lakes. And it is one of the most democratic countries on our planet. Human rights aren't represented better anywhere than in Norway. It is a country that also sits at the top of multiple sports rankings, despite a population of only 5 million. No doubt, there is not a country that is better than Norway on our planet.

I heard they have the best prisons there along with another country, but I wouldn't go there for the prison and in winter. When it's winter, I definitely don't want to go there. Summer maybe.
South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is defined by the Sea of Japan. South Korea claims... read more

South Korea is a blessed country with beautiful and talented people. The invention of Hangul (the Korean alphabet) shows how smart they are. Despite their tragic past marked by multiple invasions, today they are one of the most developed and richest countries in the world.
Personally, I was introduced to Korea (less than one year ago) through Korean dramas and pop music, and now I have no regrets. I learned with time new things about Korea, and my love for this country continues to grow. By the way, I am from Tahiti! You do not know where it is? Then look how far and big the influence of Korea is. Even in the lost islands of the South Pacific, we know South Korea! I love Korea!
Ireland

Ireland became independent as the Irish Free State in 1922 following the Irish War of Independence. It formally became a republic in 1949. The country has a population of roughly five million.

Ireland should be number 1! Coolest accents ever! The people who hate are only jealous because they wish they were Irish! There's so much culture! Brilliant nightclubs and pubs! They know how to have a night out!
And England is horrible. They think they know everything! They make complete asses of themselves! They think they own the north of Ireland, but they never will! They have to get it through their thick heads that the Irish are the best and nicest people! But when you mess with them or anyone they care about, they can take you out with the click of a finger! They can throw a punch and can handle their drink! Don't try and outdo them!

Very great country. Ireland is packed with richness and history. It made very many myths that people use today, such as the leprechaun. It is a country where you can walk on the streets at midnight and not even get mugged.
Though the only place I would look at is Dublin. Very great city though. It's very peaceful and nice. You can start off your day by getting breakfast at a nearby diner, then walk around and maybe go to a nearby neighborly farmer's house. But America is definitely the best.
Russia

Russia, or the Russian Federation (RF), is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world by area, covering over 17,125,191 square kilometres (6,612,073 sq mi), and encompassing one-eighth of Earth's inhabitable landmass.... read more

Russia is the best country. It has the most beautiful landscapes, a wonderful language which can express anything, a great history, and especially the most wonderful people: they know justice, liberty, are strong but caring. They are just being raised like that, and this is right. There surely are people who are addicted to money and might, but even they become pure and truthful when it's needed.
Russia is the country of fairy-tales and fables. In Russia, about 185 ethnic groups live together in peace. Russian humor is so specific but still the funniest I could ever find: it is somehow dark, racist, and extreme, but still kept adequate and even a bit conservative. This country, of course, does not have much money, but I think that other nations should take it as a good role model because of its natural kindness.
Italy

Italy (Italian: Repubblica Italiana) is a sovereign state and unitary parliamentary republic in south-central Europe.
Italy covers an area of 301,338 km². With almost 62 million inhabitants, it's the third most populous EU member state. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Italy shares... read more

Fantastic art and design, a beautiful language. Amazing women, and the people are incredibly at home and sociable. It's easy to just be yourself, and as this goes for everyone, people can come across as rude or happy to an unsuspecting yet well-traveled visitor, but it beats the false attitudes of the silly rigid social structures in other countries. It feels great to just be, and Italians do this all while holding a smooth amount of class.
The food is the best, and it is incredibly diverse. They have serious problems with the economy, and my inability to get a job there has prevented me from moving there. I can't wait to have a better future.
These are all opinions, and there is no such thing as the best country.
China

China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's second-most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion people. China spans five geographical time zones and shares land borders with 14 countries, second only to Russia in the number of neighboring... read more

Chinese people are hardworking, adventurous, organized, smart, family-oriented, enterprising, diverse, and accepting of other cultures. When they migrate to other countries, they work hard and are law-abiding. They try their best to integrate and assimilate. They can be like the ants and bees of the human world. Their people toil away, unrelenting and focused.
However, they face many discriminations, especially in Western societies, where the Westerners feel very threatened by their diligence. Just see how many hundreds of derogatory terms they give to Chinese to try to put them down. China was once too proud of being a great civilization. They slept for 300 years while other countries progressed and conquered the lands around them. Only those who learn the lesson of humility can be great leaders. The harsh reality is the winners of this world aren't the meek and hardworking people. It is usually the aggressive, greedy, and violent nations who go around the world conquering other people's lands and massacring their natives.
But being hardworking is not enough. Being adaptable, curious, innovative, and learning from others is just as important. It is not surprising that this website has all the English-speaking countries voted first. Their people would vote for themselves, of course. Their most hated countries would naturally be those that they feel the most competition from!
England

England, previously the Kingdom of England, is a constituent country of the United Kingdom along with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
England can trace its history as far back as the 10th century, but modern England began with the Norman Invasion of 1066. In 1535, England annexed Wales... read more

England is an awesome country, and although I have never been there, I have researched a lot about it. I live in the U.S., and I really want to move to a country in Europe when I get older. I am only 13, and I really hate the United States. I'm supposed to be proud, but I'm not. The United States sucks.
I really like a lot of countries in Europe. My aunt lived in Germany until she was 8. I envy her.

England is diverse, with many museums and cultural interests, and a stunning coastline and lush green countryside. For the latter, you need rain, and we do get some of that! We also have a tremendous sense of humor and are not afraid to laugh at ourselves.
How boring to wake up knowing the sun is going to shine every day -- I think!
Denmark

Denmark is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the most populous and politically central constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the North Atlantic Ocean. European Denmark is the southernmost... read more

Denmark really is one of the best countries in the world. Denmark is one of the freest and happiest countries, number two in the most democratic countries. Almost no corruption. Universal healthcare and education. In fact, when you are over 18, you receive money from the state for going to school and getting an education. Denmark, along with Norway and Sweden, are the countries that spend the most money in terms of GDP on helping poor countries. Denmark is very peaceful. There is almost no crime. And it is the best at creating clean energy and helping the environment.

Couldn't agree more with him.
All of this is true. All people who are under education in Denmark also receive state education grants, so if you're from the States and you're under an education, you can search for an education grant and will most likely get it.
I could go on for hours. Denmark is an amazing country!
Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with surrounding municipalities) is home to over 65% of the country's population. Iceland is the only part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge... read more

In my opinion, Iceland is a role model for the world. The way they do things is fascinating. The geography and the climate there are unique.
Although, 17!? Come on, guys, this country is the only country with no mosquitoes. They are one of the safest, if not the safest country in the world. It has improved drastically from when it was at rock bottom. It is one of the happiest countries. 0-4 deaths from a gun per year compared to hundreds of thousands in the USA!
Iceland may not be as developed and advanced as the USA, but they are one of the best!

Iceland is an incredibly peaceful nation, with very pretty scenery. Also, I love their language. I must give them credit.
Also, they fought corruption in their government and banks, unlike most of the Western world. I say this as an American.
Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. It covers an area of 30,689 km² (11,849 sq mi) and has... read more

A very small country packed with richness of history, art, and culture. A place in the centre of Europe shared by many immigrants today. A close trip to other countries. A beautiful country with a wide variety of landscapes, from a very flat land in the Flanders to a varied green field and forest in the Ardennes. And the food: chocolate, beers, cheese, breads, and cakes. And the list is long.
The best country is where your heart is, where your roots are, and where your best memories are. Where the people speak the same language as you, laugh at the same jokes, and connect by the similarity of lifestyle and customs.

Belgium is great! It is full of culture, history, nature, and very good food. The best moments of my life happened in Belgium. It is a truly welcoming country!
Finland

Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland across from Estonia to the south. Finland covers an area... read more

The lesser-known Nordic country, usually in the shadows of Sweden, despite Finland not being any worse. Most people are humble enough to admit that liking one country only because you live in it is selfish (few exceptions, as always), and will criticize things happening both in and out of the country.
Most likely won't be the "best" or second "best" country in the world and will probably be unknown and low on this list because of the low population.

The rapid development of Finland from pretty much nothing, a country 100% dependent on agriculture and wood, to one of the world's most educated, most liberal, most egalitarian, and most technologically advanced countries in less than 100 years is badass. And all of this without benefiting from "third-world" countries or colonies, without wars or conquest, without aggressive foreign policies, and Finland did this while successfully defending against the strongest war machine in the world during WWII.
Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in southwestern Europe with parts of its territory in the Atlantic Ocean and across the Mediterranean Sea.
The largest part of Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula. Its territory also includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean,... read more

You should go here. Everyone is friendly, cheerful, and welcoming. Children are energetic!
Less strict than Mexico. Nice places to go swimming. It's warmer than the USA, but California is also pretty warm.

Simply the best country you can imagine. It's got everything from warm to cold places, beaches and mountains, rich culture and great food, amazing castles and cathedrals, very nice people, etc.
I love this country. It is very culturally rich because it's had Greek, Roman, Muslim, Jewish, Celtic, Visigothic influence, and much more. This country also has so much history that I can't fit it all in this post, so you are going to have to look it up. Each part of this great country is so different yet equally beautiful. Spain is also one of the leading countries in sports and the second country with the most tourism. This place is like no other and should at least be in the top five.
Singapore

Singapore, officially known as the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It is situated approximately one degree of latitude (137 kilometers or 85 miles) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It borders the Strait of Malacca to... read more

Best infrastructure, summer every day, great architecture, low-cost flights to dream beaches and resorts, cheap and tasty food, very clean, very safe, English-speaking country, international/multicultural population, dynamic economy, charming women, low taxes... Which other place can show that many positive aspects?

Singapore, my home country! It manages to hold its own against larger powers like China, and the economy is doing exceptionally well. Not to forget, the education system is top-notch, and most citizens are effectively bilingual. We managed to make it big as just a tiny red dot on the world map, and look where we are right now.
Netherlands

The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands consists of twelve provinces and borders Germany to the east and Belgium... read more

Beautiful cities, great infrastructure, fun, healthy, smart people, logical laws (legalization of drugs - when will the rest of the world ever learn?), high incomes, overachieving at nearly every sport. There are no poor people as everyone is guaranteed a house and minimal income. No corruption whatsoever. Known for its great festivals and parties. EVERYONE speaks English, and Dutch of course.
I can go on for another two pages, but I think you got the point here. The most of these reasons are common throughout the western world, and the regions that are proven to be the best places in the world are Northern Europe, Canada, Switzerland, Australia/New Zealand. Anyone speaking in favor of an African or Asian country is just a troll, plain ignorant, or stupid, or all three. Do some serious research. Come on, it's not that hard.