Sweden recently surpassed Canada in the race for the title of the country with the best reputation
As a BBC Travel columnist writes, the measurements were conducted on 16 indicators, including beauty, safety for tourists, friendliness and hospitality of locals, progressiveness of policies, and efficiency of government bodies. The study was conducted in the form of an online survey, in which 48,000 citizens of G8 countries, representing the eight leading industrialized nations, participated. For evaluation, 55 countries with the highest GDP and largest populations were selected.
To check whether the reputation of these countries matches reality, the BBC Travel columnist spoke with citizens of the countries that took the top five spots in this ranking and with foreign professionals living there.
SWEDEN
Sweden, which was recently recognized as the country with the highest reputation and pushed Canada from the first place, according to its own residents, meets all the criteria of safety, friendliness, and beauty. In addition, it occupies a unique position in Western Europe: it was almost untouched by World War II, and today the state maintains neutrality.
“The Swedes, it seems, are satisfied with their independent position, and at the same time their country is considered one of the most favorable for refugees in all of Europe,” says British citizen Dr. Ernest Adams, who was born in America and now occasionally comes to Sweden to work as a consultant and senior lecturer at Uppsala University. “This national trait has been inherent in Swedes for a long time. For example, during the war, they saved almost all of Denmark's Jews.”
Most expats (slang term for foreign professionals) live in Stockholm, the state and business center of the country. English is spoken everywhere here, although some expats initially find locals reserved.
“But after spending some time here, you begin to understand that people prefer to keep their problems to themselves and respect the right of others to do the same, for good or ill,” says Kat Trigarsky, author of the blog "An English Mamma in Stockholm," who currently lives in Sweden. “It is considered perfectly normal not to be closely acquainted with your neighbors.”
Entertainment and luxury items can be very expensive in this city – VAT is 25%, and locals constantly complain about the high cost of alcohol – one cocktail costs an average of 130 kronor (over $15). However, many Swedes eat at home and save on cars by using an extensive network of cheap public transport.
CANADA
Despite the fact that Canada has dropped to second place in the ranking, its residents speak of their homeland more highly than ever, especially given that the state continues to welcome refugees from Syria “with open arms.”
“The people of the country want those who have suffered so much to be able to rebuild their lives as they deserve,” notes Jeremy Arnold, a Canadian native who frequently comments on life in the country on the Q&A site Quora. “The average Canadian is characterized by an ardent desire to protect their communal and inclusive way of life. We love watching video reports of Syrian immigrants spending their first day in Canada.”
In addition, Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Of course, this does not mean there are no problems there. “It is not a utopian state. We have crime, we have gang groups,” explains Arnold. “But we also have a reliable social security system and a shared commitment to values such as mutual respect and joyful acceptance of cultural diversity.”
Almost all Canadians live in cities located within 160 kilometers of the US border, which significantly simplifies travel to and from Canada for American expats. “We have a fairly open visa policy for citizens of Commonwealth nations,” notes Arnold.
Traditionally, Vancouver and Toronto are points of attraction for expats, but many prefer to settle closer to relatives and friends or in historical expat communities from their homeland. Both Vancouver and Toronto are relatively expensive cities by global standards, but overall life in Canada is cheaper than in many other developed countries. According to Arnold, even in big cities, one can find housing for a manageable sum if one chooses a location a bit further from major infrastructure.
SWITZERLAND
If a country's natural beauty can simply be a result of luck, then indicators such as the friendliness of residents and the progressiveness of policies are directly related to wealth and culture. According to Jason Lee, who spent three years in Switzerland and now lives in the Australian city of Canberra, both are abundant in Switzerland.
“There is no need to remind that Switzerland is a very wealthy country. Its long traditions of hospitality date back to the times when the English aristocracy traveled the world – the travel agency Thomas Cook organized the first tours to this country back in 1841,” he says. “20% of Switzerland's population are expats, and tourism plays a significant role in the country's economy, so everyone working in the hospitality and tourism industry is accustomed to dealing with foreigners.”
Although many expats settle in business centers like Geneva, Basel, and Zurich, Jason Lee took a greater liking to Lausanne, located 60 kilometers east of Geneva. "Unlike Zurich or Geneva, this is a university city where industry does not dominate," says Lee. "Thanks to the students of the University of Lausanne and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the city is lively and dynamic, and the nightlife here is among the best in Switzerland."
Despite the fact that Switzerland consistently ranks among the most expensive countries in the world, the state controls rent and provides universal healthcare to its citizens.
AUSTRALIA
Residents of distant Australia love their country for its sense of safety, security, and peace, which is partly due to the state's policy on firearms. "Carrying weapons was banned in Australia several decades ago, so the number of shootings is minimized," says Ganesh Krishnan, a native of India who now lives in Melbourne. "You can walk the streets without fear at any time of day or night."
A retired U.S. Navy serviceman, Pedro Vasquez, has similar feelings about his three-year stay in Canberra, highly appreciating the ban on firearms: "This is very important to me because I love life and don't want to risk it," he admits. "I also really like that Australians care so much about the environment and animals. Of course, it's great that they are so friendly."
Melbourne has been recognized as one of the most livable cities in the world, largely due to its extensive public transport network covering the entire city and a significant part of the suburbs. Perth, which is good for family living, and Sydney, the country's economic center, also usually rank high in lists of cities attracting foreign professionals from around the world.
Life in Australia is not expensive, especially considering the quality universal healthcare system and government subsidies for higher education.
NORWAY
Safe and picturesque Norway is more than worthy of its reputation, its residents believe. "All the stereotypical ideas about Norway are true: the people are beautiful, gender equality is an integral part of everyday life, and the landscapes are breathtaking," says Barbara Schwendtner, who moved to Oslo from Austria. Barbara works as a tour guide for a tourism company with an innovative approach – she introduces tourists to locals.
Additionally, Norway is a wealthy country that invests its oil revenue in development and saves funds for future generations.
It is easy for foreign professionals to integrate into local life: local citizens do not make sharp distinctions between locals and newcomers. Most prefer to live in Oslo – it's not a very large city, and all events are usually centered in the city center.
Wherever Norwegians live, they spend a lot of time outdoors. "Norwegians love being outdoors!" says Schwendtner. "They like to go out: skiing in winter and hiking in summer. People here are very active, and employers often offer their employees gym memberships."
This love of fresh air can be very beneficial, especially considering that other entertainment in Norway is quite expensive. "If in other countries you can afford to go to a restaurant several times a week, then in Norway I would not recommend such a lifestyle," notes Schwendtner. "Naturally, people try to spend their leisure time for less money – for example, going to workouts or admiring nature."