Canada just fell behind the U.S. in new global ranking — here’s why

Canada is unquestionably home to some of the best restaurants in the world, a handful of the top hiking trails on the planet—and the most successful hockey team in NHL history. 

Check out: Canada is home to the largest outdoor F1 street party in the world

So when Canada dropped behind the U.S. in the latest U.S. News & World Report, we’re all asking why.

What is the #1 best country in the world?

Switzerland took the top spot this year, followed by Denmark and Sweden. European countries continued to dominate the ranking, accounting for 18 of the top 25 positions.

1. Switzerland

2. Denmark

3. Sweden

4. Germany

5. Netherlands

6. Norway

7. United Kingdom

8. Finland

9. Luxembourg

10. Austria

Is Canada the best country to live in?

Canada placed 19th in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Countries rankings, coming in just behind the United States, which ranked 18th.

Canada’s strongest performance came in the Culture & Tourism category, where it ranked 8th globally. 

The report also pointed to Canada’s multicultural identity as a defining strength, shaping both its international image and immigration approach.

However, Canada scored significantly lower in the Natural Environment category, ranking 63rd.

This measure assesses land and resource sustainability, climate action, and environmental stewardship — areas where Canada underperforms despite its vast natural landscapes and rich resource base.

Read: One of Canada’s least-visited national parks might be its most beautiful

The country also scored modestly in Health and Civic Health, ranking 27th worldwide. In Economic Development, Canada placed 21st, while Infrastructure ranked slightly higher at 20th globally.

While Canada previously ranked 4th in 2024 and 2nd in 2023, the 2026 edition reflects a major methodological shift by U.S. News & World Report, moving away from perception-based surveys toward a data-driven model built on 100 statistical indicators of national performance and well-being.

For more information about the U.S. News & World Report, click here.

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