Every year the US News and World Reports ranks the world’s most powerful countries. The study assesses the political and economic influences and alliances, plus the military strength it wields and the quality of its international leadership.
The ranking was done together with the University of Pennsylvania, which questioned over 20,000 people about 80 countries and the global role they play. The result was “2019 Best Countries.”
We will just give you a brief summary of the top ten.

1. South Korea: In 2018 this successful Asian country was ranked 11th last year. It is the world’s seventh largest exporter, and 11th largest economy.
2. Saudi Arabia: Described as “the giant of the Middle East” by US News, this country has huge oil reserves which it sells across the globe. The country’s reputation was severely tarnished by ongoing human rights issues, and especially the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year.
3. Israel: US News says: “For its relatively small size, the country has played a large role in global affairs.”
4. Japan: With the world’s third largest economy, this Asian powerhouse nation is “one of the world’s most literate and technically advanced nations.”
5. France: One of the oldest countries in the world, US News says that France’s reach “extends around the globe through science, politics, economics and perhaps above all, culture.”
6. United Kingdom: Struggling now with Brexit, nevertheless US News notes that the UK “exerts considerable international economic, political, scientific and cultural influence” on the world despite “new questions and anxieties about the country’s role on the global stage.”
7. Germany: With the most people of all the EU countries, Germany also has a highly skilled labor force.
8. China: This Asian powerhouse nation is the world’s most populated, and it wields the second biggest economy. Unfortunately, millions still live under the poverty line, but the country has seen fast economic growth which has the potential to continue.
9. Russia: The world’s largest country in square miles, Russia stretches from Europe to Asia and borders over a dozen different countries. It power is invested in its legacy from the Soviet Union, huge coal and oil reserves, and a great emphasis on military strength.
10. USA: Described by US News as the “world’s most dominant economic and military power.” This western power has exerted its influence culturally through the popularity of its books, films, music and television shows. However, the report also pointed out that some policy decisions made by the current president “have raised questions around the world, including from the country’s closest allies, about the nation’s future course on the global stage.”