DAVOS-KLOSTERS, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Germany is viewed as the best country in the world, according to the inaugural Best Countries report, a joint rankings and analysis project of U.S. News & World Report, WPP’s BAV Consulting and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Created to capture how nations are perceived on a global scale, the rankings are the centerpiece of a new web portal called “Best Countries,” launched today at the World Economic Forum.

Canada and the United Kingdom are the No. 2 and No. 3 Best Overall Countries, respectively. The United States places at No. 4, followed by Sweden at No. 5. Nordic nations were highly regarded for their progressive policies and top the most rankings categories. Sweden is recognized as the most modern country, the Best Country to Raise Kids and the No. 1 nation for Green Living. Denmark is named the Best Country for Women, and Costa Rica is the Best for Comfortable Retirement.

The Central American nation of Costa Rica is the most highly rated country to retire, according to individuals who were surveyed for the 2016 Best Countries rankings. The Best Countries for a Comfortable Retirement are ranked based on scores from individuals who are 45 years or older and who define themselves as “upper class” on a compilation of seven equally weighted country attributes: affordable, favorable tax environment, friendly, is a place I would live, pleasant climate, respects property rights and a well-developed public health system.

No. 1 Costa Rica offers beaches and coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, as well as green inlands. According to Numbeo, a crowd-source global database of various statistics, Costa Rica offers a competitively low cost lifestyle, and the United Nations gives it a favorable rating for its overall standard of living.

“Globalization has made the world a competitive place for business, influence and the quality of life,” said Mortimer B. Zuckerman, chairman and editor-in-chief of U.S. News. “Just as we have done with universities, hospitals and other institutions, our Best Countries portal will be a global homepage for stories and data to help citizens, business leaders and governments evaluate performance in a rapidly changing world.”

The rankings evaluate 60 nations across 24 rankings lists on a wide range of criteria, from sustainability to economic influence. The United States is named the most powerful country and India has the No. 1 up and coming economy. Germany is the best country for entrepreneurship, while Luxembourg is the most business friendly. Italy is the country with the richest tradition and Brazil is the No. 1 nation to visit. Canada tops the list of countries with the best quality of life.

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U.S. News & World Report is a global digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on Education, Health, Personal Finance, Travel, Cars and News & Opinion, www.usnews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. 30 million people visit www.usnews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.