List Of Most Powerful Countries
Ever wondered which countries hold the most power around the world? Well, you’re in the right place. Read on to find out which 10 countries are currently considered to be the most powerful in the world, as well as a little more about why.
The below list of the top 10 most powerful countries in the world has been compiled based on the US News & World Report.
10. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is made up of the seven emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm al-Quwain. Each of these emirates is governed by their own individual monarchy.
Out of these seven emirates, the two most popular ones with tourists are undoubtedly Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Both of these emirates have a wealth of shopping, food, and nightlife options that bring in millions of visitors from all around the world. If you are deciding on your next travel destination, make sure to pack your best luggage set and head straight to one of these two cities.
Within the Arab world, the United Arab Emirates is seen as more liberal and progressive than other countries in the region. This is another reason why tourists are more perhaps more drawn to the UAE than other Arab nations.
Thanks to the abundance of oil and natural gas in this region, the UAE is well established as one of the richest nations in the world. Though they don’t have a large or powerful army when compared to most of the countries on this list, the UAE does has considerable economic power and has forged strong alliances with other nations around the world.
9. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is currently seen to be the most powerful Arab nation in the world. With its close relations to Western superpowers such as the United Kingdom and the United States, Saudi Arabia has considerable influence within the Arab region.
Saudi Arabia is well known for being one of the most conservative countries in the world, with the majority of the population holding traditional Muslim views. However, some developments are being made to make things more liberal for the Saudi people. For instance, just last year Saudi women were finally legally allowed to drive.
This powerful Arab nation is also known for its military spending and for being the biggest importers of arms from around the world. Countries such as the UK, the US and Canada have been criticized for selling arms to Saudi Arabia. This is because of many Saudi Arabia’s many instances of human rights violations over the years.
Though tourists don’t flock to Saudi Arabia due to the nation’s highly conservative way of living, there are currently many foreigners living and working in the country due to the many multinationals and large corporations based there.
8. Israel
Within the Middle East, Israel is one of the few countries with a strong economy and a good standard of living for most residents. There is a huge focus on education for the Israeli population, which is why the country is making strides when it comes to science and technology.
Israel has some extremely powerful allies around the world, including the United States and Russia. However within the Middle Eastern region itself, Israel has tense relationships with many of the Arab nations due to their ongoing issues with Palestine. Their nuclear program tends to make other countries in the region nervous as well.
In terms of military power, the Israel Defense Forces are not as large as other armies around the world but are known to be highly skilled and well trained. Israel also has a strong intelligence agency, Mossad, further cementing their presence on this list of the most powerful countries in the world.
7. Japan
When it comes to technological advances, Japan is undoubtedly ahead of most other countries in the world. They have long been considered the hub of innovation in the technology sector and are one of the biggest suppliers of tech products around the world.
The focus on education within the Japanese population explains why they have some of the smartest and most highly skilled people in the world and are economically secure. After the United States and China, Japan is actually the biggest global economy today.
In terms of foreign relations, Japan mostly has good relationships with other powerful countries around the world. There are some tensions with neighboring China and North Korea. Their army isn’t the largest or most powerful, but they do possess some of the most advanced modern military weapons out there.
6. France
Much adored by tourists from around the world, this stylish country is home to some of the biggest fashion houses around the world. The country is also known and loved for its art and culture, which brings in millions of visitors every year.
Economically, France is thriving with one of the top economies in the world. The country has forged alliances with all the most powerful global players and is involved in most important discussions on any international issues.
The French army is known for being one of the most skilled in the world, and the country is also one of the few nations with their own nuclear weapons.
5. Germany
The German population is a highly education and skilled one, thanks to which the economy of the country is always within the top 10 economies worldwide. The Germans enjoy a good quality of life, and the country has strong global influence in both economic and political matters.
Though the country has been through a lot of conflict over the last century, they have always managed to recover their economy and maintain their strong military foothold. The German government is usually involved in all major international discussions concerning any global issues.
4. United Kingdom
Made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom has long been one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world. Despite the recent tumultuous period with Brexit, it still remains firmly in the top 10 list of the most powerful countries in the world. This is thanks to its relatively strong economy and political and cultural influence on the rest of the world.
The standard of living within the United Kingdom is very high compared to most of the world, and the quality of education has led to a highly skilled workforce. Millions of tourists descend upon the capital city of London every year, and many have chosen to move here as well in search of a better quality of life.
The UK also has its own nuclear arms in the form of submarines located around the globe, which are set to be renewed over the next few years at the cost of a cool £31,000,000,0000- yes that’s billion! The island nation is known for having one of the strongest navies and intelligence agencies in the world, and let’s not forget it’s strong ties with commonwealth nations such as Canada, Australia, India and South Africa.
3. China
The country with the largest population in the world, China is also the second largest global economy after the United States. If the rapid growth of the Chinese economy of the last few decades continues, it may well even overtake the US soon. Part of its economic growth is due to the huge amount of goods that it exports around the world.
In terms of military power, China’s army is the largest in the world and has a hefty budget to support it. They also possess nuclear weapons, along with some of the other countries on this list. The country holds good relationships with most of the world, but has experienced some issues and tensions with its own neighbours.
2. Russia
In terms of area size, Russia is the biggest country in the world. It also has one of the strongest economies, largely in thanks to the abundance of natural resources available within the country such as oil and natural gas.
The Russian military is one of the most powerful, and they also possess the largest number of nuclear weapons. The government of Russia, especially President Putin, have been criticised by other nations for how the country has been run and how it handles its international conflicts. However many Russian residents continue to support him. China is currently Russia’s closest international ally.
1. United States
The most powerful country in the world with the largest economy, the United States holds a huge amount of political influence over the rest of the world. The country plays a huge rule in any international issues that arise. Even Donald Trump being voted in has not removed America from its position as the most powerful country in the world.
The economic standing of the United States is partly thanks to its hugely successful entertainment industry. American media is hugely popular and influential, and their movies and television shows are watched by most of the world.
Military wise, the US army is second to none. Whether it comes to nuclear technology, weapons, or training of army personnel, the US military is extremely strong on all fronts, set to be given a huge boost by Trump in coming years to keep America top of the list.
Conclusion
It will be interesting to see how, and if, this list of top 10 most powerful countries evolves and changes next year. For now though, these ten countries are the ones that hold the most global power in terms of political, economic, and military strength combined.
Sources
- Top 10 Most Powerful Countries in the World 2018, Improb
- The 11 Most Powerful Militaries In The World, Business Insider
