Canada ranked best country in the world in 2021
After being named the top destination for foreign workers to immigrate to, Canada adds another title to its list of achievements.
According to a new study conducted by U.S. News & World Report, BAV Group, VMLY&R, and the Wharton School, Canada is now considered the best country in the world !
You can view the study here.
Canada voted best country in the world
Several criteria considered
The ranking evaluates several criteria :
– Adventure prospects, meaning opportunities to live unique experiences ;
– Agility, or the country’s ability to adapt to societal changes and respond to the challenges they bring ;
– Cultural influence on the world ;
– Entrepreneurship opportunities ;
– Heritage, both historical and cultural ;
– Prospects for rapid economic growth ;
– Business opportunities ;
– Global power, in terms of economic influence and standing among other nations ;
– Quality of life ;
– Social and societal aspects, such as openness to diversity and social justice.
This year, two new categories were added to the ranking. One of them, social purpose agility, evaluates whether a country is open and responsive to new human challenges posed by society.
Known for its open-mindedness and unmatched quality of life, the maple leaf country scored a perfect 100/100 in both quality of life and social purpose. The study also highlights Canada’s strong commitment to social justice. The country is perceived as respectful of and encouraging toward diversity and individual freedoms.
Canada also scored very well in the two categories related to professional life. Despite the pandemic, Canada stood out by continuing to offer great professional opportunities, especially for immigrants, whose interest in North America continues to grow.
Indeed, known for welcoming many expatriates each year, Canada did not shut down immigration during the pandemic. Although travel restrictions and regulations required adaptation, it was still possible to obtain a work permit and immigrate !
Aurélie’s testimony proves it. She arrived in March 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, to work in Montreal. You can read about her experience here, lived in step with the latest measures.
Elsewhere in the world
This study compared 78 countries worldwide.
After Canada, Japan ranks second, followed by Germany. France is in 11th place.
In 2020, Canada was in second place, so this is the first year it has taken the top spot ! It dethroned Switzerland, which was first last year and dropped to fourth place in 2021.
One of the new criteria, agility, highlighted the importance for countries to adapt—to be progressive and responsive to societal changes in order to attract global talent. This was the most heavily weighted criterion in this year’s evaluation, awarding the most points.Canada scored excellently in this area as well, ranking third in the agility sub-ranking, behind the United States and Australia.
This year, the study and its criteria were adapted to the ongoing health crisis affecting most countries. In addition to the study, many articles were written on other aspects that may influence the choice of a country, such as gender equality or vaccine deployment during the pandemic.
The study was conducted with the help of over 17,000 business leaders, middle-class individuals, and ordinary citizens representative of their countries. To see the full ranking, click here.
This article was updated on April 15, 2021.