Australia has become the sixth most reputable country in the world. (Web Photo)
Australia is the sixth-best country in the world after New Zealand, according to a new ranking by (Reputation Institute), an international research firm, according to Traveller.
The ranking, released on Thursday, ranks the 55 countries with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) reputation index. The survey covered more than 58000 members of the G8 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia, taking into account respondents' impressions of the moral status of the countries or regions concerned and the extent of corruption. Factors that "feel good", as well as perceptions of the extent to which local socio-economic policies have improved.
On this year's list, Sweden jumped from third place in 2017 to the top of the list for its generous social welfare and gender equality efforts, and was named the country with the best reputation.
The most reputable country is a picture of Sweden's. (Traveller website.)
Finland, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Japan, Denmark and the Netherlands, followed by Finland, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, all ranked 2nd to 10th in the world's most prestigious top 10 countries.
Although Australia's ranking was impressive, it was down two places from the previous year and its score fell to 79.6 from 81.6 last year.
Finland climbed from seventh to second with a score of 81.6.
The top ten countries with a high reputation. (data source: reputation Institute)
Greece, though not in the top 10, has made the most progress, jumping from 62.5 last year to 64.7 this year, ranking 22nd in the world. The ranking report said Greece's "attractive environment" for visitors and other visitors to the country prompted a jump in Greece's rankings.
The United States dropped to 34th place this year, from 38th place last year, despite rising from 54.7 to 56.4 this year. The reputation Institute said it scored well in fostering "successful brands" and "technological advances," but lost scores on people's perceptions of ethical conditions and government effectiveness and safety.
Since Trump was elected in 2016, Americans' ratings on America's national reputation have fallen by seven points.
In addition, China's ranking is lower, ranking 45th in the world.
The bottom 10 countries were Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Nigeria.