Excerpt:Switzerland claims the top spot in the 2024 “Best Countries” ranking by public perception, while global economic giants and rising regional players vie for influence in a list shaped by both hard metrics and subjective sentiment.

Switzerland Reigns Supreme

In the U.S. News & World Report Best Countries survey for 2024, where over 17,000 respondents evaluated 87 nations across 73 attributes, Switzerland emerged as the clear favorite. Survey participants praised its robust business environment (#2), exceptional quality of life (#3), commitment to social purpose (#7), and strong cultural influence (#8). Economically, Switzerland ranks third in GDP per capita (US $105,000) and fourth in GNI per capita (US $95,070), underlining why it resonates so strongly on the world stage ^[1]

Economic Titans and Entrepreneurial Leaders

Despite not topping the list, Japan and the United States secured the second and third places, respectively, buoyed by their sizeable GDPs, innovation ecosystems, and globally recognized brands. Both nations feature in the top five for entrepreneurship, with the U.S. leading in agility and power. High investor confidence and large currency reserves help offset concerns over cost of living and income inequality, demonstrating that sheer economic heft still shapes public perceptions in the survey ^[2]

Regional Shifts: Rising Powers in the Middle East and Asia

The Middle East and Asia have made notable gains, reflecting targeted investments in tourism, renewable energy, and cultural initiatives. The United Arab Emirates (17th), Qatar (25th), and Saudi Arabia (32nd) are redefining their global images beyond hydrocarbons. In Asia, South Korea (18th), Singapore (14th), and China (16th) leverage technological advances and manufacturing prowess to climb the ranks, signaling a more multipolar perception of excellence.

Global Continent Representation

How are the top 40 distributed by region? Below is a bar chart illustrating the count of best-ranked countries by continent.

The above bar chart illustrates the global continent representation among the top 40 best-ranked countries in the world. Europe leads with 17 countries, making it the most represented continent. Asia follows with 11 countries, while the Americas account for 8. Oceania and Africa each have 2 countries on the list. The chart highlights Europe’s strong global presence and shows a relatively balanced contribution from other continents, reflecting global diversity in top-performing nations.

Complete Top 40 List

The following table presents the complete dataset of the top 40 countries, as determined by the survey respondents. Rankings reflect public perception and must be understood alongside objective thresholds for GDP, tourism, and foreign direct investment inclusion ^[3]

Top 40 Best Countries in 2024

Perception Breakdown by Region

The above donut chart illustrates the continent share of the top 40 best countries in the world. Europe leads with 42.5%, followed by Asia at 27.5% and the Americas at 20%. Oceania and Africa each contribute 5%. The data highlights Europe’s dominance in global rankings, with Asia also playing a significant role. The chart visually represents how the top 40 countries are distributed across continents, emphasizing regional strengths in global development, governance, and quality of life.

How the Rankings Are Calculated

Respondents rate each country on 73 attributes grouped into 10 categories (e.g., quality of life, power, entrepreneurship). Scores for each attribute are normalized to a 0–100 scale and averaged within categories. Participants also rank category importance, which determines weighting in the final score. Only countries meeting GDP, tourism, and FDI thresholds were eligible for inclusion.

Conclusion

While Switzerland’s blend of economic strength, social well‑being, and cultural vibrancy earned it the top spot, the prominence of traditional powerhouses and emerging players underscores a dynamic global landscape. As public perceptions evolve, so too will the notion of what makes a country truly “the best.”

India’s Place in the World Economy

GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, tells us how much money a country makes from making and selling things. A bigger GDP means a stronger economy.

India is doing great! It’s ranked 4th in the world for its big, growing economy. That puts it ahead of Japan. We even might become number 3 in a few years!

Top 10 Largest Economies in 2025

*This data is based on IMF Projections*

India’s Economic Strengths

India is growing because of many things:

• Farming, both traditional and modern
• Technology services
• Handmade crafts
• Helping other companies with their work

India’s GDP Per Capita

GDP per capita is the average amount of money each person makes.

India’s GDP per capita is still lower than some other countries, but it’s increasing!

India is doing well, and its economy will keep growing!

The world economy is changing fast — and two countries everyone is watching closely are India and China. For a long time, China has been known as the world’s factory and one of the fastest-growing economies. But now, its growth is starting to slow down. In 2025, China’s economy is expected to grow by just 4%.

On the other hand, India is growing much faster — with a growth rate of 6.2% expected in 2025. That’s a big difference.

India has a young population, strong tech growth, and rising local demand. All of this is helping its economy rise steadily. So the big question now is: Can India really catch up with China? And maybe even overtake it in the future?

India vs China: A Tale of Two Growing Giants

When we look at the numbers for 2025, it’s easy to see a big difference between how fast India and China are growing.

According to the latest data:
India’s economy is expected to grow by 6.2% in 2025
China’s economy is expected to grow by only 4%

That means India is growing faster than China, even though China still has a bigger economy overall.

Why India Has an Advantage

India has a younger population than China, with more than 50% of its people under 30^[4]. A younger population means:

1. More people ready to work
2. More demand for goods and services
3. A strong, energetic workforce for future industries

China, in contrast, is facing an aging population crisis, which may slow down its productivity and increase healthcare and retirement costs over time.

What’s Helping India Grow?
India’s recent progress is driven by multiple factors:
A fast-growing digital economy with over 800 million internet users^[5].
Government investments in infrastructure and manufacturing^[6].
Major companies shifting supply chains to India to reduce dependence on China^[7].
According to OECD, A booming startup ecosystem, especially in fintech, edtech, and health tech.

What Is Slowing China Down?
Although China remains a powerful economy, its growth is slowing due to:
* An aging workforce^[8].
* Decreasing exports due to global tensions and supply chain shifts^[9].
* According to CNBC, A real estate crisis that is affecting banks and households.
* Less foreign investment compared to past decades^[10].

Can India Really Overtake China?
In total GDP, China is still far ahead of India. But if India keeps growing faster, it will gradually close the gap over the next 10–20 years^[11]. Many analysts believe India could become the third-largest economy by 2030. With consistent policy support, tech innovation, and global interest, India has a strong chance to reshape the world economy.

India’s economy is expected to grow by 6.2% in 2025, which is a little lower than earlier estimates of 6.5%, mainly due to global problems and trade tensions, says the IMF. Still, India’s growth is stronger than most other countries in the region, thanks to rising spending in rural areas. In comparison, growth in emerging Asian countries like the ASEAN group is falling and expected to be only 4.5% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

Last year, China’s economy grew by 5.0%, which matched the government’s goal. But new trade tariffs have started to slow things down. These tariffs reduced the benefits of strong growth at the end of 2024 and more government spending. As a result, the IMF has lowered China’s growth forecast for 2026 to 4.0%, down from 4.5%, mainly because of ongoing trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

India is no longer just an emerging country — it is becoming a key global player. With faster growth, a younger population, and growing foreign interest, it is possible that India could one day catch up or even overtake China economically.The journey won’t be easy. But the signs are clear — India is rising, and the world is watching closely.