While it varies by survey, Switzerland consistently ranks as the most respected country in Europe for its neutrality, stability, and quality of life, often followed closely by Nordic nations like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark for their strong governance, sustainability, and social systems. Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands also frequently appear high on reputation lists due to economic strength, personal freedoms, and overall livability.
The friendliest countries in Europe, according to Condé Nast Traveller
Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia round out the top 5 most respected countries. According to a study by The Reputation Institute, Canada has been named the most respected country in the world. In second and third place are Norway and Sweden, while Switzerland and Australia round out the top 5.
In a non-European Union context, the term E3 is commonly used to describe the three largest western European economies: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The three most powerful members of the European Union — France, Italy and Germany — as well as the United Kingdom are referred to as the Big Four of Western Europe.
France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are considered major European powers and they are the Western European countries individually represented as full members of the G7 and the G20. They have been referred to as the "Big Four of Europe" since the interwar period.
The Most and Least Happy Countries in Europe 2025
Below, we show the happiness scores of European countries from the World Happiness Report 2025. Finland continues its reign as the happiest country in the world for its eighth consecutive year.
Iceland. Ranked number one since 2008, Iceland remains the world's most peaceful nation, leading across all three domains: safety and security, ongoing conflict and militarisation. It even recorded a 2% improvement this year, widening the gap from the second-place country on the list.
Czechia is a landlocked country in the middle of Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the west, Poland to the north, Slovakia to the east and Austria to the south. Thanks to its location, which makes it a notional gateway between Western and Eastern Europe, the country is often referred to as the “Heart of Europe”.
Australia has one of the world's top-ranked healthcare systems, with its mix of public and private, effectiveness and equity. And it is a country with strong political institutions, which include a federal government determined by compulsory voting, preferential ballots, and a rigorously independent electoral system.
A new WorldAtlas ranking puts Canada at number 1 on the list of the top 20 most loved countries on the planet, ahead of every U.S. and European destination. From our natural beauty to our global reputation for kindness, Canada just took the crown as the place people love most.
Here Are The World's 10 Most Scenic Countries For 2025:
Luxembourg is the wealthiest country in the European Union, per capita, and its citizens enjoy a high standard of living. It is a major center for large private banking, and its finance sector is the biggest contributor to its economy.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world in 2021, a position it has held since 2008.
Australia ranks as the 2nd safest country in the world for 2026 🇦🇺✨ New global safety findings highlight Australia's strong healthcare system, low crime levels, political stability, and high quality of life.
Level 4: Do Not Travel
Ukraine has the lowest happiness score in Europe (4.7 out of 10) for 2025, driven by war, economic hardship, displacement, and insecurity. In the EU specifically, Bulgaria is consistently the least happy, with scores below 6/10. Albania and North Macedonia also rank low.
Apparently, Estonia is the friendliest country in Europe.
Largest European companies based on number of employees 2024
The Irish company Accenture employed over 700 thousand people worldwide in 2024, the most of any European company.
In Germany, members of the profession are known as Wirtschaftsprüfer and vereidigte Buchprüfer (public accountants / (sworn) auditors, for sake of simplification just referred to as “Wirtschaftsprüfer” in the following).