Germany Ranked 7th Best Country in the World by U.S. News
Across oceans and beyond Germany’s borders, the nation maintains a reputation for stability and efficiency. Recognized for its "entrepreneurship" and ability to quickly adopt modern solutions, Germany has been ranked as the seventh-best country in the world by U.S. News for 2024.
U.S. News’ Best Countries in the World Rankings
Each year, U.S. News evaluates 87 countries in its “Best Country” rankings. The assessment is based on a proprietary international survey of 17,000 people, considering 73 different attributes spread across 10 key categories. These categories include entrepreneurship, quality of life, power, and cultural heritage.
For its ninth edition, the ranking focused on countries with potential for growth, high quality of life, and strong conditions for businesses and employees.
Switzerland Ranked Best Country for Third Consecutive Year
For the third year running, Switzerland has claimed the top spot in the rankings. The country has secured first place in all but two editions of the U.S. News rankings since they began, with Germany topping the list in 2016 and Canada in 2021. In 2024, Japan, which jumped from sixth to second place, and the United States, which rose from fifth, joined Switzerland on the podium.
Although Switzerland didn’t place first in any individual category, its overall strong performance secured its position. Its top categories were "Open for Business," "Quality of Life," and "Entrepreneurship," where it ranked second, third, and fifth, respectively. Factors such as Switzerland’s dynamic economy, political stability, education system, and low taxes contributed to its high ranking, although the nation scored poorly in terms of affordability.
Germany Ranked 7th Best Country Globally
Germany claimed seventh place with an overall score of 90.6 points. U.S. News commended Germany for its "Entrepreneurship," highlighting the nation’s innovative and highly educated population. Germany was also noted for its "agility" in adapting to challenges and implementing modern solutions.
“To achieve this, a country must act efficiently, embrace modern solutions, and evolve with changing circumstances,” U.S. News noted.
However, some may find the positive review surprising, given the country’s current struggles, including the worst housing shortage in two decades, significant delays in its train services, immigration office inefficiencies, and a government facing low approval ratings. Germany’s ageing population, which has raised concerns about the sustainability of social services, was one of the few challenges acknowledged in the report.
While recent efforts such as the Chancenkarte, student visa reforms, and a new citizenship law were overlooked, the report did emphasize Germany’s cultural impact, though its most celebrated figures—like Gutenberg, Beethoven, and Kant—were cited as being from centuries ago.
Top 10 Best Countries in the World in 2024
The top 10 countries in the world according to U.S. News are:
1. Switzerland
2. Japan
3. United States
4. Canada
5. Australia
6. Sweden
7. Germany
8. United Kingdom
9. New Zealand
10. Denmark