Switzerland, a country considered by some critics a beautiful but somewhat unexciting, has once again been crowned the best nation in the world.
The landlocked home of luxury watches has been named the top country by U.S. News and World Report in its annual Best Countries rankings, as predictable as clockwork.
This marks the third consecutive time and seventh overall that the nation of 8.7 million people has claimed the top spot. Following Switzerland in the latest edition of the analysis are Japan, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The rankings are derived from a global survey where approximately 17,000 individuals across 36 countries share their views on various aspects such as the dynamism, safety, leadership, human rights concern, and economic stability of different nations.
Since 2017, Switzerland has consistently ranked at or near the top, securing first place yet again for its high quality of life, cultural influence, and entrepreneurship, reports the Mirror.
Switzerland reigns supreme in global rankings and could owe its success to its unique mode of operation. The nation flaunts its non-EU status amidst the European core and practises direct democracy unparalleled globally, entrusting major policy decisions to its people’s vote.
Furthermore, it claims a distinctive square flag, second only to the Vatican City in singularity, and shuns the concept of a single head of state in favour of a seven-strong Federal Council.
In addition to its political distinctiveness, Switzerland mesmerises with its picture-perfect beauty. Recounting a Swiss adventure, a traveler recalls the jaw-dropping slopes of mountains towering over the Rhone Valley, the immaculately arrayed verdure flanking the cycling path, and the pristine conditions of Lake Geneva, bereft of any refuse, providing a refreshing respite without a hint of pollution.
Yet, while Switzerland may top the leaderboard for countries and boast eye-catching splendour, there’s an air of meticulousness that borders on artificial.
It’s akin to stepping into a Swiss-themed amusement park, as one commentator from The Travelling Ape felt while visiting, describing the experience as akin to “feeling like I was in a kind of Swiss Disneyland”.
The travel blogger pondered the potential rigidity behind Switzerland’s immaculate reputation, asking: “I questioned whether all this tweeness was optional.
“After all, in parts of Switzerland you can be fined for failing to wash your car, and men living in apartments aren’t allowed to pee standing up after 10pm.
“Perhaps failing to curate a pretty-enough flower display would be equally worthy of punishment? Perhaps it’s a crime not to have a chalet that looks like a chocolate box?”
It is such peculiarities that often lead Switzerland to be labeled as dull. Smart Travel comments: “Many tourists find it to be almost too clean and tidy, to the point of feeling sterile. The high cost of living and somewhat conservative locals further knock this city into the boring column.”
Highlighting the paradox between peacefulness and excitement, writer John Kay drew parallels between top ‘best nations’ and the epitome of boredom: “Liveability and happiness are complex concepts. The happiest countries identified by the UN are those of ‘Jante Law’, the stifling conformity described by Danish author Aksel Sandemose: ‘You are not to think you are anything special, you are not to think you can teach us anything’,” he noted in his FT article.
Kay went on to say, “Yet there is much that is good about social homogeneity, shared values, peaceful coexistence and honest government.
“Life in unhappy countries – Myanmar, Syria, Zimbabwe – is not boring, but much of the population desperately wishes it was.”