#4
Canada
A land of immense size – in fact, the second-biggest country in the world after Russia – Canada is thinly populated, and the majority of people live within little more than 100 miles of the United States’ border.
The country has a reputation for being tolerant, progressive, welcoming to immigrants and embracing a diversity of cultures. Canada’s services sector nowadays dominates the economy but the country is still a major exporter of energy, food and minerals.
Canada briefly held the #1 position in Best Countries, in 2021, and has consistently taken a position in the top five. The country is a leading performer in Best Countries for Social Purpose, which measures perceptions of how much a country cares about human rights, the environment and equality.
Canada leads the world in Best Countries for religious freedom, is seen as the friendliest country in the world, and is believed to have an educated, health-conscious population. The country ranks top in Best Countries as one of the top three places where people would like to live; it’s perceived as being safe, corruption-free and family-friendly.
The 10 factors that determine a country’s brand
Why is Canada seen as the 4th best country in the world in 2024?
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 2027.
Canada'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 Canada's top and bottom ones.
#1
Friendly
#1
Religious freedom
#1
Responsive
#88
Unapproachable
#87
Religious
#83
Cheap manufacturing costs
The percepions of Canada have changed over time
Canada has not always been seen as the #4 best country in the world. Explore how the perceptions of Canada have changed over time.
How do people in Canada see the world?
If we were to only ask people in Canada how they see the world the Best Countries ranking would be different. This is how they see it.
