The best countries in the world have been named

This spot came out on top (Picture: Getty)

In need of some travel inspiration? Look no further, as a new ranking of the world’s best countries has been revealed.

The findings are a result of a collaborative project between the US News and World Report, marketing company WPP, and a business school from the University of Pennsylvania.

It involved an intensive analysis of more than 70 factors for 87 countries and then used data extracted from a survey of more than 17,000 people. 

Categories used for the research included heritage, food, cultural attractions and quality of life with factors such as the job market, income equality and education system, alongside social purposes such as human rights and climate change.

So, which country came out on top?

The scenic spot (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Known for its beautiful scenery, chocolate and cheese, Switzerland won the battle.

The country found its way to first place thanks to its low levels of unemployment and corruption, and high levels of cultural influence.

In second place is Canada, which is described by the report as a high-tech industrial society. The country also boasts a good job market, education and healthcare system and a stable economic and political landscape.

Canada scooped second position (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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In third is Sweden, a country which is said to have the most generous people. Why? Well, roughly 1% of the gross national product is put towards humanitarian aid each year. It’s also one of the happiest countries in the world and is extremely family friendly.

Australia and the United States finish the top five, while the UK came in at 9th place. In a good showing for Europe, half of the top ten spots are occupied by the continent.

According to US News, Britain ranked highly for its ‘global influence’, being at the ‘scientific and technological fore’ and having some of the ‘top universities in the world.’

In total, it scored 92.4 out of 100. 

The country did best in the areas of entrepreneurship, cultural influence and power categories but lost points on cost of living (no surprise there), scoring a low 2.2 out of 100 on the scale. 

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The UK placed within the top 10.