#22
Iceland
The 10 factors that determine a country’s brand
Why is Iceland seen as the 22nd best country in the world in 2026?
People surveyed for Best Countries were asked how closely they associated 73 attributes with a range of countries. These attributes were then grouped into 10 categories that were used to calculate the Best Countries ranking.
The weighting of each category in the final index is determined by the strength of its correlation to per capita GDP and forecast GDP for 2030.
Iceland's top and bottom attributes
Each factor is made up by combining a selection of 73 attributes that track how people perceive each country. These are Iceland's top and bottom ones.
#1
Unique
#4
Not Bureaucratic
#5
Cares about animal rights
#82
Affordable
#78
Has great food
#78
Has strong exports
The percepions of Iceland have changed over time
Iceland has not always been seen as the #22 best country in the world. Explore how the perceptions of Iceland have changed over time.
