The World's Most Loved Countries Revealed — And the Biggest Shock Is Who Didn't Make the Cut
Net Perception Score Rankings
| Rank | Most Liked Countries | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland 🇨🇭 | +36 |
| 1 | Canada 🇨🇦 | +36 |
| 3 | Japan 🇯🇵 | +34 |
| 4 | Sweden 🇸🇪 | +33 |
| 5 | Italy 🇮🇹 | +32 |
| 5 | Norway 🇳🇴 | +32 |
| 7 | Spain 🇪🇸 | +31 |
| 8 | Australia 🇦🇺 | +30 |
| 8 | Denmark 🇩🇰 | +30 |
| 8 | New Zealand 🇳🇿 | +30 |
| Rank | Least Liked Countries | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Israel 🇮🇱 | -24 |
| 2 | North Korea 🇰🇵 | -19 |
| 2 | Afghanistan 🇦🇫 | -19 |
| 4 | Iran 🇮🇷 | -17 |
| 5 | United States 🇺🇸 | -16 |
| 6 | Iraq 🇮🇶 | -13 |
| 7 | Russia 🇷🇺 | -11 |
| 8 | Syria 🇸🇾 | -10 |
| 9 | Pakistan 🇵🇰 | -9 |
| 10 | Belarus 🇧🇾 | -5 |
The World's Popularity Contest Just Dropped — And One Global Superpower Got Humiliated
If countries were contestants in a global popularity contest, the latest Democracy Perception Index would have delivered a few standing ovations—and a few brutal reality checks.
Based on responses from 46,667 people across 85 countries, the survey paints a fascinating picture of how nations are viewed beyond their data-borders. And the results reveal something powerful: economic strength alone doesn't guarantee admiration.
At the very top sit Switzerland and Canada, tied with a stellar +36 net perception score. Close behind are Japan (+34) and Sweden (+33), countries that have built reputations around stability, quality of life, innovation, diplomacy, and trust. Italy, Norway, Spain, Australia, Denmark, and new zealand round out the elite club of nations that consistently generate positive feelings worldwide.
Why These Countries Keep Winning
They project stability rather than chaos.
They are associated with safety, prosperity, and strong institutions.
Their international image is often shaped more by diplomacy than confrontation.
They attract admiration without constantly demanding attention.
But the other end of the ranking tells an entirely different story.
The Countries Facing the Biggest Image Crisis
Israel records the lowest score at -24, followed by North Korea and afghanistan (-19). Iran, the united states, Iraq, Russia, Syria, Pakistan, and belarus also appear in the bottom ten.
The inclusion of the united states may be the biggest surprise. Despite its enormous cultural, military, and economic influence, global opinion remains deeply divided. The ranking highlights a harsh reality: power can command attention, but it doesn't always earn affection.
The Bigger Story
The 2026 rankings show that in today's interconnected world, reputation has become a form of soft power. The countries winning global admiration aren't necessarily the loudest or the strongest. They're often the ones viewed as stable, trustworthy, and predictable.
And in the battle for global perception, that may be the most valuable currency of all.