For third consecutive year, Israel ranked 8th in most powerful countries survey; Report cites Israel’s technologically advanced market economy, exports and more; Israel also ranked 11th happiest country.
Israel was ranked the 8th most powerful country in the world this week for the third consecutive year.
Under the U.S. News and World Report on the globe’s most powerful countries, the Jewish state followed the United States, Russia, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Japan. Referring to Israel as the “small country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea” the report claimed, “For its relatively small size, the country has played a large role in global affairs. The country has a strong economy, landmarks of significance to several religions and strained relationships with many of its Arab neighbors.”
The report praised Israel’s “technologically advanced market economy,” highlighting its exports in cut diamonds, hi-tech equipment and pharmaceuticals. It also cited Israel’s high ranking in education, its global influence, per capita income and more. Israel was recently ranked 23rd in the “best countries for education” and ranked 8th in the “most influential countries” which factored the attributes of “leader, connected to the rest of the world, influential culture, politically influential and strong international alliances”.
The report also highlighted “Jewish immigrants to Israel, “many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to science, politics and the arts”. Israel’s population grew by 2% in 2018, compared to 2017’s 1.8%, with a reported 28,000 immigrants to Israel.
On Israel’s defense, the report stated, “Israel is persistently plagued by terrorism threats and the country occasionally erupts into violent conflict with the Israeli occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip,” citing international accusations of human rights abuses against the Palestinians.
Saudi Arabia follows Israel on the top ten most powerful list in 9th place, followed by South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
Also this week, Israel was ranked the 11th happiest country according to the Gallup’s 2018 World Happiness Report. The report cites Israel’s economy and life expectancy and even reported a “noteworthy finding”- that “Russian-born people in Israel evaluate their lives much more positively after migration…”
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