Case Study 2: 25 Best Countries in the World:

In this article, we discuss the 25 best countries in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of these countries and go directly to the 5 best Countries in the world 

It is an arduous task in itself to list down the best countries due to the subjectivity associated with the whole narrative. Some of the countries transcend when it comes to power while others offer more rights and purpose. Several factors like quality of life, cultural influence, heritage, social purpose, citizenship, entrepreneurship, social justice, and agility need to be considered before listing the best countries in the world. 

As per the HDI report 2021, data from almost 189 nations was put together to rank 25 countries from best to developing nations. In 2021, the leading ranks in the best countries report were procured by countries that had an HDI score close to 1. 1 is the highest HDI score. Most developed countries have an HDI score greater than 0.8 while the low developed countries usually have an HDI score that goes below 0.55. The data procured through HDI is very beneficial for understanding the development and progression schemata of developed, developing, and under developed countries. 

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on everyone, last year. Hence, the measures took by the government to reduce the miseries of the pandemic also played a crucial role in the ranking of this survey. Due to this very reason, South Korea jumped from position 23 last year to position 18 this year. It also ranked sixth in global agility and fifth in entrepreneurship. Similarly, some countries plummeted down the best countries list due to poor handling of the global pandemic.

America keeps plummeting down the Best countries report with every passing year due to increasing racial discrimination and controversies. America is regarded as the 69th worse country for racial equality which is still a bad position to be in, considering its global power and economy. However, it has made a progress in the year 2021 by jumping from position 17 last year to position 13 in the Best countries report. But it is still intriguing to notice that a country that once provided tough competition to Norway and Ireland for the first rank, is now plunging between rank 17 and 13. Racial equality, gender equality, agility, social purpose, and justice prove to be crucial elements of a healthy nation in the modern age. But events like terror attacks, mass shootings, political unrest, race-based crimes, and controversies influence the quality of life significantly. Hence, the best countries in the world practice justice and provide a life full of quality to each of their citizen. 

For our list of the 25 best countries in the world, we will be using the subjective methodology, considering data from internet forums like Reddit, Quora, etc to read thousands of comments from individuals that reside in different parts of the world. We will also be consulting UN’s Human Development Index, World Happiness Report, and metrics like infrastructure, healthcare, education, GDP, and quality of life, to select and choose the countries. 

The dimensions to calculate Human Development Index (HDI) for the countries include the life expectancy index, education index, and Gross National Income index. All these dimensions are considered thoroughly before ranking the countries and allocating them an HDI score. 

With this context and the global situation in mind, let’s now begin our list of the 25 best countries in the world. 

25. Cyprus:

HDI: 0.873

Cyprus is the 25th best country in the world with a dominating service sector. Its service sector accounts for four-fifths of the GDP. It also comprises an advanced industrial and agricultural sector. It is one of the most prosperous countries in the world.

24. Estonia:

HDI: 0.882

Estonia is the 24th best country in the world. Estonia is a highly advanced country with a remarkable ranking in quality of life, education, and technological advancement. It has the lowest debt to GDP ratio among all the European Union states with a substantially balanced income and free trade policies. 

23. Italy:

HDI: 0.883

The 23rd  position in the global best countries report is secured by Italy. Italy is one of the few countries that emerged triumphant in the appropriate management of resources during the pandemic, climbing one rank up from the past year. Italy stood second in the heritage and 1st in the cultural influence subcategory. The rich culture of Italy could be accredited to its’s historical cities, impeccable cuisine, and geographic beauty. Each year millions of tourists visit Italy to relish its historical monuments and globally-renowned cuisine. 

22. Malta:

HDI: 0.885

Malta is the 22nd best country in the world. Malta is known to be one of the most prosperous, successful, happiest, and healthiest countries in the world. It has a highly industrialized service-based economy. It has scanty natural resources but its highly developed industrial sector makes it one of the richest countries in the world.

21. France:

HDI: 0.891

France is the 21st  best country in the world considering its remarkability in heritage, cultural influence, and global power. The unique French architecture and tourist spots make it a tourist attraction throughout the year. France is regarded to be one of the oldest countries in the world that first evolved into a kingdom, then an empire, and finally a republic. The globalization era helped France in enhancing its global outreach through excellence in science, economics, politics, and culture. 

20. Spain:

HDI: 0.893

Spain is the 20th best country in the world. Spain ranks no: 1 in the heritage subcategory due to its rich culture and heritage. In 1492, many independent kingdoms with their own distinct cultures united to form present-day Spain. The culture of modern-day Spain is a rich blend of all those cultures brought by the ancient kingdoms. Spain also ranks no:3 in the adventure subcategory due to the incurrence of culturally appropriate festivals like the running of the bulls festival. 

19. Slovenia:

HDI: 0.902

Slovenia stands at the 19th rank of the best countries rankings. It is one of the richest Balkan countries. It is an economically developed country with most of its GDP associated with foreign trades. The major trade partners of Slovenia are the European Union States.

18. South Korea:

HDI: 0.906

South Korea is the 18th best country in the world. As mentioned before, South Korea has been quite resilient to global challenges. It jumped five ranks from the past year, emerging as the most dynamic country in the world. It is the fifth best country for entrepreneurship. A survey indicates that South Koreans are heavily dependent on necessity-based entrepreneurship to support themselves. Almost 80 percent of the small and medium enterprise owners in south Korea instigate a business to find work and support themselves.  

17. Luxembourg: 

HDI: 0.909

Luxembourg is the 17th best country in the world. It is known as the wealthiest country of the European Union with its financial sector is the largest contributor to the country’s economy. It is also a business-friendly country with low corporates taxes. 

16. Austria:

HDI: 0.914

The 16th position in the global best countries report is secured by Austria. Austria climbed up from position 18 last year to position 16 this year. Austria is the 16th best country with regard to the quality of life and the 10th best country with regard to social purpose. 

15. Japan:

HDI: 0.915

Japan is the 15thd best country in the world, climbing up four ranks this year. It is one of the world’s most literate and technologically advanced nations. It secures rank one in entrepreneurship, with an advanced economy. It is a country that is both culturally rich and technologically advanced. It is a forward-thinking nation that is emerging victorious despite the challenges it faced being on the losing side of the war. 

14. Belgium:

HDI: 0.919

Belgium is ranked as the 14th best country overall in our list of 25 best countries. It has consecutively stood at rank 14th with a brilliant ranking in subcategories like social purpose, quality of life, entrepreneurship, agility, and openness for business. Progressing during a global pandemic is a difficult business, but Belgium has emerged victorious by keeping its economy steady despite challenges. 

13. United States:

HDI: 0.920

The United States shares this spot with the United Kingdom. Overall progress is observed in the ranking of United States, moving from rank 17 last year to 13 this year. The slow progress of the country could be accredited to deeply moralized politics and a poor justice system. Although, it is one of the top countries that accept plenty of immigrants every year; the deteriorating healthcare system and the resistance against the whole vaccination process have made economical progress a perpetual challenge. 

13. United Kingdom:

HDI: 0.920

The United Kingdom stands at 13th rank for the second consecutive year. It is one of the most developed international states with a considerable political, cultural, scientific, and economic influence over the world. It has the second-best education system in the world, securing rank four in both cultural influence and entrepreneurship. London is regarded as the financial capital of the UK, with massive economical influence. 

12. New Zealand:

HDI: 0.921

New Zealand is a rapidly developing country that stands at rank 12 this year. It is considered one of the safest countries, considering the crime rate and violence. It is also one of the most resilient countries when it comes to business and entrepreneurship. 

11. Canada:

HDI: 0.922

Canada secures 11th rank this year. It secures a considerable position in both quality of life and social purpose subcategories. It accepts the most number of immigrants every year and is known for practicing equal rights. It is the second-best country considering racial equality and transparency. It also ranks fourth in providing equal rights to women and providing quality education. The Canadian citizens are satisfied with the political stability and social environment. Despite having citizens of different races, racial discrimination is close to none in Canada. 

10. Finland:

HDI: 0.925

Finland is the 10th best country in the world. It has climbed up a rank from position 11 last year to position 10 this year. Finland is the happiest country in the world with an excellent education and free healthcare system. The crime rate in Finland is very low and the quality of life is quite impressive, as it ranks 8 in the quality of life subcategory

9. Denmark:

HDI: 0.930

Denmark ranks 9h in the best countries report, climbing up one rank from last year. Denmark is the second-best country for both quality of life and social purpose. These two elements are pivotal, considering the needs and requirements of the modern world. 

8. Netherlands:

HDI: 0.933

Netherland has been consistently securing the rank 8th since 2020. It is one of the best countries when it comes to the provision of equal rights. It has remarkable policies to ensure gender and racial equality. It also ranks 7th in the quality of life subcategory. Most of the development in the Netherland is associated with its water sources as three main Eastern rivers fall here. 

7. Singapore:

HDI: 0.935

The 7th best country in the world is Singapore. It is one of the four economic tigers of Asia. Singapore emerges fourth best in movers and fifth best in agility subcategory. Singapore has also jumped two ranks from the past year from position 11 to 7. Singapore is considered one of the richest countries in the world with a triumphant market economy, favorable business environment, absence of corruption, and loyal tax policies. 

6. Sweden:

HDI: 0.937

Sweden is the 6th best country in the world. The life expectancy in Sweden is high with a free healthcare and education system, it ranks 5th in the quality of life subcategory. Despite its military roots, Sweden has stayed neutral in war conditions with the least level of political unrest and violence observed. It is one of the most developed countries in the world.

5. Australia:

HDI: 0.938

Australia has moved up three ranks from position 8 last year to position 5 this year, in the year 2021. It is one of the most developed country with high GDP and per capita income due to export and functioning of the service sector. The life expectancy in Australia is very high due to the avid participation of adults in sports-related activities. Australia is ranked second in the agility subcategory. 

4. Germany

HDI: 0.939

Germany is the 4th best country in the world, climbing up a rank this year. Germany is the third-best country for education and transparency. It ranks fourth in both agility and power while securing the second rank in entrepreneurship. Germany provides free university education to everyone, even non-citizens. The greater part of it is covered with green land and it is one of the best countries when it comes to women's rights. 

3. Ireland:

HDI: 0.942

Ireland makes it to the 3rd position in our list of the 25 best countries in the world. It is one of the happiest countries in the world. Not only, the happiness index is considered while ranking the best countries but it also influences the quality of life, and quality of life is the primary element considered while ranking the best countries in the world. It is a highly developed country with a high life expectancy and literacy rate. 

2. Switzerland:

HDI: 0.946

Switzerland climbed up from the 3rd rank in 2020 to the 2nd rank in 2021. Switzerland ranks one in the subcategory of being open for business. Although it doesn’t rank number one in many categories, it performs quite well in each subcategory, emerging as an all-rounder. Switzerland has the best healthcare system and qualifies in the ten safest countries in the world. It also has the highest technological expertise in the world, alongside Japan. 

1. Norway:

HDI: 0.954

Norway is the best country in the world due to a top score in HDI. It ranks number three in the quality of life and number seven in openness for business. Norway is known for its remarkable climate control policies. It has a low crime and high literacy rate with an impeccable education system. It has been ranked number one in the best countries list, considering the HDI due to its excellent education system, high life expectancy, and policies that adhere considerably to human rights and cultural freedom.