Hungary’s Global Ranking: Where Does It Stand Among the Best Countries?
The recent ranking of the best countries in the world by U.S. News & World Report has placed Hungary at the 54th position. The report, which evaluates 89 nations based on various factors, highlighted Hungary’s global perception and cultural influence.
In terms of cultural influence, Hungary ranked 55th, considering factors like entertainment relevance, modernity, and brand presence. The rankings were based on categories such as economic and social power, entrepreneurship, quality of life, and cultural heritage, with each country scored out of 100.
Despite dropping from its 49th position in 2023, Hungary performed better than some neighboring countries like Croatia and the Czech Republic, but still trailed behind Austria. The report also pointed out Hungary’s linguistic isolation, relative economic prosperity, and strained international relations due to anti-immigration policies and centralization of political power.
Critics have highlighted issues like corruption within Hungary’s government and alleged smear campaigns against civil society groups, in line with the growing populism and far-right movements across Europe. However, Hungary is noted for producing a high number of Nobel laureates per capita, even though many have achieved success abroad due to limited funding domestically.
In the overall ranking, Denmark, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom secured top positions, excelling in various categories like quality of life, social goals, and entrepreneurship. Switzerland maintained its top position, leading in career opportunities, retirement conditions, and overall quality of life.
Despite its challenges, Hungary remains a notable country on the world stage, with a mix of strengths and areas for improvement highlighted in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.
