Germany, Not U.S., Is The World’s Favorite Country; UK, Canada, Australia Maintain Top 10 Spots

Visitors enjoy beer during their visit to the 181st Oktoberfest in Munich September 28, 2014. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital for the Oktoberfest, which runs until October 5. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

The latest Anholt-Gfk Nations Brand Index, which measures the image of 50 leading nations, has disclosed that Germany has booted out the United States to become this year's world's favorite country. The culprit for the U.S.' downgrade? It was global peace and security, or more specifically, because of Russia and Egypt.

Germany, known for Oktoberfest, bratwurst and legendary cars like BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, should also thank the FIFA World Cup of the turnaround in its image that led to the dethronement of the U.S. in the prime spot, a position it held for the past five years. Germany, according to Simon Anholt, an independent policy advisor and leading authority on national image and identity, in a release, likewise catapulted to the lead because of a "perceived leadership in Europe through a robust economy and steady political stewardship."

Over 20,000 people from 20 countries were surveyed in July on their perceptions of the other global nations. The questions were across six categories: exports, governance, culture, people, tourism and immigration/investment.

Anholt said Germany scored high in the areas of "honest and competent government, investment climate, and social equality" in the Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index^SM. The U.S., on the other hand, ranked dismally in the global peace and security category, only 19th out of 50 nations. However, President Barack Obama's country is still seen as number one in several areas, including creativity, contemporary culture, and educational institutions.

Russia may have received the strongest criticism from public opinion in a year of various international confrontations, but it is the U.S. that has lost the most significant ground where tension has been felt the most acutely, Xiaoyan Zhao, Senior Vice President and Director of NBI^SM at GfK, said. "Both Russia and Egypt have downgraded the U.S. in an unprecedented manner, particularly in their perception of American commitment to global peace and security, and in their assessment of the competence of the U.S. government."

The Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index^SM

Overall Brand Ranking 2014 (Top 10 of 50 Nations)