NEWSFLASH: It’s Great to Be German!
As if you didn’t already know, c’mon. Giant pretzels, beer, the Alps, polka, MORE BEER – Germany is full of the stuff that makes the world go ‘round. So maybe the results of two recent studies weren’t such a big surprise after all? Spoiler alert: Germany kicked all the ass.
And the title of BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD goes to…
Yes, that’s actually a thing and you guessed it – Germany! In a study conducted by US News & World Report, Germany ranked as the “best country in the world.” Was there ever any doubt? Honestly, I knew the answer before I even opened the article. For the study, 60 countries were scored on each of 65 attributes that fell into nine subrankings including:
- Adventure – This means Germany is friendly, fun, sexy (⇠Their words but who am I to argue?)
- Citizenship – trustworthy, cares about the environment & human rights
- Cultural Influence – entertainment capital, happy, fashionable (⇠Those lederhosen, yeoww!)
- Entrepreneurship – educated population, skilled labour force, innovative
- Heritage – rich history, great food, many cultural attractions (⇠I’m sure beer was in there somewhere.)
- Movers – dynamic, unique, distinctive
- Open for Business – favourable tax environment and transparent government practices
- Power – strong international alliances, a leader
- Quality of Life – affordable, safe
Those may be their words, but I couldn’t agree more. Germany is sexy. And best of all, you don’t have to be a German citizen to enjoy all of the amazing stuff mentioned above. This is why Germany ranks as one of my favourite countries to visit as well. How can you not love a land where the Chicken Dance is basically the national anthem? And where dirndls are always in fashion?
And the country with the STRONGEST PASSPORT IN THE WORLD is…
Germany! If you’ve ever seen the Masskrugstemmen, you already know Germany is strong. Not just anyone can straight-arm those beer-filled steins for record lengths of time. That takes brawn, a certain level of hereditary talent, and just the right amount of careless confidence. Germany has it all!
According to a report released last Wednesday by Henley & Partners, the self-proclaimed “global leaders in residence and citizenship planning,” German citizens hold the most powerful passport in the world. This equates to the German passport allowing its holders visa-free entry into 177 countries worldwide, the most of any country’s passport. A total of 199 countries were ranked according to the travel freedom available to each country’s citizens. So Germans, come on over, let’s play. You bring the beer!
The visa requirements imposed on each country ultimately boils down to the state of that country’s relationship with other nations and the general status of that country within the international community of nations.
So we all know what that means, right? Germany is loved! (Technically, the most loved.) I know this, you know this, the lady who dry-cleans my dirndl knows this – Oktoberfest being a shining example. Every year, 7 million visitors from all over the world head to Munich for one of the largest festivals on the planet, essentially 16 days of merriment, friendliness, good cheer, and great beer. Clearly, Germany is the world’s leader in the category of “making people happy” and this distinction is well deserved.
If you’ve been to Oktoberfest, you know what I’m talking about. If not, what on earth are you waiting for? Start planning your trip now!
PROST!
