Switzerland is the best country in the world

Switzerland earned its place at the top of the 2017 Best Countries list thanks to its progressive social systems, business-friendly environment, and quality of life.

The 2017 Best Countries rankings, compiled jointly by US News & World Report, marketing company Y&R and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, measures how 80 nations are perceived on a global scale. It surveyed over 21,000 people across the globe, including business leaders, entrepreneurs and politicians. Switzerland emerged the winner based on a combination of its attitude toward education, democracy, business and quality of life. “People regard Switzerland highly for its citizenship, being open for business, an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, the quality of life it provides its citizens and for its cultural influence”, the report explained. Canada, the UK, Germany and Japan completed the top five.

Switzerland also ranked as the best country to headquarter a corporation. The most powerful factors that attract international companies to the country are a highly trained workforce, a central location in Europe, and favorable tax rates for companies.