US News & World Report has published its latest ranking of the best countries in the world. Which country won first place for the third year in a row? You will be surprised by her successful formula for the perfect balance between quality of life, entrepreneurship and social awareness.
The ranking of the best countries in the world, prepared annually by US News & World Report, is based on the opinions of more than 17,000 people around the world. The survey includes various categories such as quality of life, cultural influence, economic strength and openness to business opportunities. This year, as many as 15 European countries landed among the first 25 countries, which confirms the dominance of the old continent in many areas.
A tense competition between the world's superpowers
This year the competition was particularly fierce. Countries battled to the top of the rankings with impressive achievements in entrepreneurship, innovation, social justice and cultural impact. In second place was Japan, which climbed four places in a year and is known for its technological excellence and entrepreneurial spirit. Third place was taken by the USA, which climbed two places and established itself as a global economic and cultural power.
Europe in the foreground
European countries dominate the upper part of the ranking, reflecting their high standard of living, innovation and stability. Med top ten countries we find Sweden, Germany, Great Britain and Denmark in addition to the winner. All these countries are known for their progressive social policies, successful economy and exceptional quality of life.
Photo: pexels / willianjustenHow did the region fare?
Among the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Croatia ranked highest, occupying 47th place. Slovenia, which is considered one of the most successful in the region, ranked 65th. At the very bottom of the ranking were Serbia (88th place) and Belarus (89th place). The fall of Ukraine was particularly noticeable, slipping from 68th place to 80th place in one year.
And the winner is... which country is considered the best in the world for the third year in a row
After all this intense competition and comparisons, it's time to reveal which country has won the top spot for the third year in a row. It is a country that is synonymous with neutrality, high quality of life, innovation and advanced entrepreneurship. A country that has managed to combine a stable economy, outstanding social values and natural beauty into a perfect whole. The winner of this year's ranking of the best countries in the world is – Switzerland!
And where is Slovenia - the country where the author of this record is from
The movement of Slovenia in the ranking of the best countries, which it prepares every year US News & World Report, has fluctuated over the years and this year we find it in 65th place. This ranking is not the brightest and raises questions about where Slovenia lost its momentum. Over the years, Slovenia was considered a stable and successful country, which is often credited with a high quality of life, natural beauty and good educational and health infrastructure.
Looking back, in the first years of this survey, Slovenia achieved slightly higher positions, usually around 50th, which reflected its progress and positive image in the world. It was seen as a dynamic country that, after gaining independence and joining the European Union, successfully established itself as a model of a successful transition from a socialist to a market economy. Despite its relatively small population, it has been able to take advantage of its advantages, such as its strategic location, green tourism, quality food, and cultural and historical heritage.
However, Slovenia seems to have lost some of that momentum in the last few years. Factors such as political instability, economic challenges and a lack of ambitious reforms likely contributed to its drop in the rankings. Although Slovenia still scores highly in areas such as education and environmental sustainability, its competitiveness on a global scale seems to be diminishing.
Slovenia has enormous potential, but it is necessary to strengthen certain areas if it wants to improve its ranking. International investors still see the country as attractive, but it should strengthen its reputation as a country open to business opportunities and innovation. Likewise, more should be invested in the promotion of Slovenia as an excellent tourist destination and place to live, with an emphasis on the quality of life it can offer.
In addition, we can also emphasize social awareness and cultural influence as key areas where Slovenia has many opportunities for growth. The country has a rich cultural heritage and increasing movements in the direction of sustainable development, which is extremely important in today's world. However, it is crucial that these advantages are successfully communicated at a global level and strategically oriented towards long-term development.
Slovenia has everything it needs to rise in this ranking: educated people, a rich natural and cultural heritage and a favorable geographical location. It is a matter of strategic approach and vision for the future. How Slovenia will take advantage of these advantages in the coming years will be key to its positioning on the global map of the best countries.
- 2017: 44th place
- 2018: 53rd place
- 2019: 51st place
- 2020: 56th place
- 2021: 54th place
- 2022: 62nd place
- 2023: 65th place
Conclusion: Switzerland will still be the star
Her excellent results in the areas of quality of life, entrepreneurial environment and social awareness earned her this prestigious title for the third time in a row. With its example, Switzerland once again proved that success lies in balanced development that includes all segments of society.
