Saudi, India, Pakistan among world's best countries: Report

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Saudi, India, Pakistan among worlds best countries: Report
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital.

Germany, Canada and US among top 10.

By Kymberlee Fernandes/Yousuf Saifuddin Kapadia

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Published: Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:32 PM

Last updated: Sun 24 Jan 2016, 5:27 AM

Ranked on a number of attributes including adventure, citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, power and quality of life, the survey was prepared by US News and World Report, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of business, and global brand consultants BAV Consulting.
Sixty nations were measured in the 2016 Best Countries rankings report.
It was presented at the annual gathering of the powerful and famous at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The report is based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics, impressions that have the potential to drive trade, travel and investment and directly affect national economies.
Here are the best countries in the world:
1. Germany

Lübeck in Germany is a Unesco world heritage. (Image via Facebook/ Germany Toursim)

The modern German state that took shape in the 19th century is one of the world's largest economy. It is home to a highly skilled, affluent workforce, and is one of the world's most popular migration destinations. On the cultural front, Germany gave birth to the modern printing press, Ludwig van Beethoven and has strong traditions in literature, music and philosophy. Development.
GDP: $3.7 trillion
POPULATION: 80.9 million
2. Canada

Quebeck. (Image via Facebook/ Canada Keep Exploring)
Canada put country's diversity in the front seat when it adopted a national policy of multiculturalism in 1971. Long lists of accomplished writers and artists have emerged from the country that includes Céline Dion, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell making an impression on modern music. Canadians follow a high standard of living, and the service sector is the country's biggest economic driver.
GDP: $1.8 trillion
POPULATION: 35.5 million
3. United Kingdom

(Image via Facebook/ Love GREAT Britain)

Home to London, a major international financial hub and one of the most visited cities in the world, much of the UK's economic growth comes from banking and tourism. The nation has a long history of major contributors to the global arts and sciences like William Shakespeare in English literature, Stephen Hawking in cosmology and computer science and Tim Berners-Lee who invented the World Wide Web.
GDP: $2.7 trillion
POPULATION: 64.5 million
4. The United States of America

Times Square in New York City, New York. (Image via Facebook/ Visit The USA)
The country is a major player in economic and military might, and has left a significant cultural imprint in part due to its entertainment industry. The US media industry particularly has a global audience, with its music videos, films and sitcoms being received across the globe.
GDP: $16.8 trillion
POPULATION: 318.9 million
5. Sweden

Northern Lights - Lola Akinmade Åkerström/imagebank.sweden.se (Image via Facebook/ VisitSweden)
The Swedish boast one of the longest life expectancies in the world, a country where health care, as well as a college education, are free. Almost all of Sweden's trash is recycled.
GDP: $580 billion
POPULATION:9.7 million
6. Australia

Kangaroo Island (Image via Facebook/ Australia.com/ Lachlan Swan Photography)
GDP:  $1.6 trillion
POPULATION: 23.5 million
7. Japan

Azaleas bloom at the Shizaki-Inari Shrine in Miyazu, Kyoto (Image via Facebook/Visit Japan)
GDP: $4.9 trillion
POPULATION: 127.1 million
8. France

(Image via Facebook)
GDP: $2.8 trillion
POPULATION: 66.2 million
9. Netherlands

(Image via Facebook)
GDP: $854 billion
POPULATION: 16.9 million
10. Denmark

Magasin du Nord in central Copenhagen. (Image via Facebook/Go VisitDenmark)
GDP: $336 billion
POPULATION: 5.6 million
22. India
Mumbai, the economic hub of India (AFP)
Considered one of the Asian rising tigers, India has established itself as a formidable economic force in the 21st century. As the world's second most populous nation after China, India faces a dichotomy with being a diverse economy with a large skilled workforce, while at the same time a large part of the population living under the poverty line.
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, rich in culture and history.
The land of Mahatma Gandhi has produced many illustrious personalities in the world of politics, business, literature and entertainment. The Indian film industry is considered to be the world's largest film industry, with megastar actor Shah Rukh Khan being ranked as the second richest actor in 2015.
GDP: $1.9 trillion
POPULATION: 1.3 billion
29. Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital and the financial hub (AFP)
'Saudi Arabia is the giant of the Middle East, with both the vast majority of land and wealth of the Arabian Peninsula falling within its borders,' the report sums up perfectly.
Home to the most sacred place for Muslims, Makkah - also the birthplace of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), the oil rich country is the cradle of Islam.
Being the largest exporter of oil in the world, the black gold has played an integral role in funding the Kingdom's progress and development.
Sitting on a quarter of the world's supply of oil, but is seeking ways to diversify and reduce its oil dependency due to high unemployment rates and a sizeable foreign workforce.
Saudi Arabia's recent membership in the World Trade Organization has helped open it up to foreign investment. It is a founding member of OPEC and a member of other international organizations.
GDP: $748 billion
POPULATION: 30.9 million
56. Pakistan

Karachi, Pakistan's financial hub (Agencies)
Born on August 14, 1947, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan came into being after partition from India and gaining independence from British rule.
According to the report, the seventh-most populous country is also one of the youngest in the world, with the majority of citizens under age 22.
Boasting of a breathtaking mountainous region in the north of the country, Pakistan is also one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.
Marred by terrorism and extremism, the nation's economy has suffered with lack of foreign investment. However, Pakistani youth have been playing an integral role in promoting a positive image of the country in the fields of IT, arts and entertainment.
The coastal city of Karachi is the financial engine of the country and is often referred to as 'mini Pakistan', welcoming people from all over the country to earn their livelihood.
GDP: $232 billion
POPULATION: 185 million
See full list here 


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