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Top 10 most-loved countries in the world: Canada ranks first; check if India makes the list

Top 10 most-loved countries in the world: Each year, the Reputation Institute releases a global report that ranks countries based on how much respect, trust, and admiration they receive from people in other nations.

3 min readNew DelhiJan 15, 2026 06:50 PM IST

Top 10 most loved countries in the world: The United States, despite its global influence, does not feature among the top-ranked countries

Top 10 most-loved countries in the world: When we talk about loving a country or dreaming of visiting one, it is usually not just because it is rich or famous. People are drawn to countries that feel safe, welcoming, well-run, and fair. Things like quality of life, trust in the government, respect for nature, culture, and how a country behaves with others all shape how the world sees it.

Each year, these feelings are studied by the Reputation Institute, an international consulting firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Boston, US. The firm releases a global report that ranks countries based on how much respect, trust, and admiration they receive from people in other nations. The goal is to understand which countries leave a positive impression worldwide and why.

To prepare the report, the firm conducts online surveys with thousands of people across the globe. About 48,000 participants come from major developed nations, while 30,000 more respondents are from other countries. They are asked how they feel about different nations, whether they trust them, and if they would like to visit, study, work, or live there.

The results show that some countries are admired for specific reasons. Sweden is often praised for good governance and public systems, while Japan is respected for growth, discipline, and development. Most countries with the strongest reputations are located in the northern parts of the world, especially in Europe.

The United States, despite its global influence, does not feature among the top-ranked countries. While it is known for technology and big brands, political decisions and internal issues have weakened trust in its system among people at home and abroad.

The report also shows how reputations change over time. Countries like Iran, China, and India have improved their global image in recent years. On the other hand, nations such as Syria, Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Iraq have seen their reputations fall, mostly due to conflict, instability, or concerns about governance.

Canada continues to be one of the most-loved countries in the world. It is admired for its natural beauty, stable politics, strong economy, and friendly people. Many respondents say they would be happy to visit or even live there. Canada’s diverse population also adds to its positive image. People from many backgrounds live together, which strengthens the country’s reputation as open and welcoming.

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In the end, the report makes one thing clear: countries earn global love not just through power or money, but through trust, safety, good governance, and the way they treat people and the world around them.