17. Turkey (Fell three places compared to 2021)
US News noted that ‘the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development expects Turkey to be one of its fastest growing members in coming years.’
16. Australia
US News said Australia is ‘a wealthy nation with a market-based economy that has a comparatively high gross domestic product and per capita income’ and noted its international collaboration through global organizations like the G20 and the Commonwealth.
15. Italy
US News noted Italy’s big cultural influence, saying its ‘historical cities, world-renowned cuisine and geographic beauty make it a popular destination for more than 40 million tourists each year.’
Italy’s economy is the fourth-largest in the Eurozone, it noted.
14. Ukraine (Rose by 19 places in the rankings compared to last year)
Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia this year, is a member of major international organizations like the UN and World Trade Organization, US News noted.
‘Services, industry and agriculture are Ukraine’s three largest economic sectors,’ US News said.
It noted Ukraine’s long history of conflict with Russia, which had been attacking Ukraine in the east before its invasion, and the country’s history of corruption.
The country is now receiving huge political and military support from nations including the US, as well as the EU and NATO, and has been widely celebrated for its resistance to Russia.
13. India (Rose six places compared to last year’s ranking)
US News said that India, “the world’s largest democracy,’ has ‘a fast-growing, diverse economy with a large, skilled workforce.’
It noted that India is the second-most-populous country, and is also one of the world’s poorest. It said India has become ‘an important center of information technology services, business outsourcing services and software workers.’
12. Canada
US News called Canada a ‘high-tech industrial society with a high standard of living,’ and noted its strong political and trading links with the US.
‘Canada ranks third in the world in proven oil reserves and is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer,’ it said.
11. Saudi Arabia (Fell two places compared to last year’s ranking)
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil producer, which has made its economy boom, US News noted.
It also noted that Saudi Arabia is a founding member of the OPEC oil alliance, and is a member of the World Trade Organization and other bodies.
The country’s human-rights abuses means it frequently clashes with the West.
US News also noted the country’s importance to Muslims as the home of Mecca, calling it ‘the giant of the Middle East.’
10. Israel (Rose one place from last year’s ranking)
US News said that for ‘its relatively small size, the country has played a large role in global affairs.’
Its strong economy and its significance for Jewish people around the world were also cited.
The country has ongoing boundary disputes around the occupied Palestinian territories and is accused of human-rights abuses, US News noted.
It added that Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with cut diamonds, high-technology equipment and pharmaceuticals among its major exports. READ PAGE 3 BELOW FOR MORE CITIES, USA, RUSSIA AND MORE
