France Tops Global Rankings For 'Soft Power'

The annual Soft Power 30 rankings have revealed France rising to first place, while the UK remains in second place and the US sinks to third, according to the Businesstraveller.

Strategic communications consultancy Portland has published the findings of its Soft Power 30 2017 rankings for countries around the world, based on factors ranging from culture, government, enterprise, digital and education, to cuisine, friendliness, luxury goods, foreign policy and liveability.

With data from objective sources such as embassies and the World Bank, and perception polls from 11,000 people living in 25 countries, the findings result in the "world's most comprehensive comparative assessment of global soft power".

In first place is France, which has jumped from fifth place last year.

France's greatest strengths are its vast diplomatic network and cultural offering, which encompasses unrivalled restaurants, a flourishing film sector, and some of the world's most-visited museums and galleries.

In second place, for the second year running, is the UK, while slipping from first place in 2016 to third place this year, is the US.

Portland states: "The index illustrates the threat to the global standing of both America and the UK, due in part to the recent Brexit decision, and the election campaign of a mercurial US president in Donald Trump. Trump's 'America First' doctrine has played poorly abroad, alienating allies, and damaging links with the rest of the world."

The UK's strengths are engagement, culture, education and digital. Portland says: "British soft power benefits from a wealth of publicly funded resources. The BBC World Service maintains its position as the world's most trusted new provider and the British...