Market researchers GfK asked 20,000 people in 20 countries their opinion of 50 leading nations across six categories: exports, government, culture, people, tourism, and immigration and investment.

 

Although Denmark was among the 50 measured nations in GfK’s Nation Brands Index 2014, it did not make it into the top ten. 

 

Germany was the big winner, knocking the United States off the top spot for global image for the first time since 2009.

 

Other European countries to make the top ten were the UK (3), France (4), Italy (7), Switzerland (8), and Sweden (10). 

While the US was still ranked best for categories like “creativity“, “contemporary culture“ and “educational institutions“, it fell to 19th place when people were asked to judge its “engagement for global peace and security“.

 

It was particularly harshly judged by people in regions where it had been party in international tensions, such as the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

 

But it was Russia that lost the most places in the popularity stakes, with its government given very low marks. It was overtaken by Argentina, China and Singapore to land at 25th place.

 

GfK did not publicly release the full top 50 list. 

 

With Denmark not making the top ten cut, the country will just have to settle for being the fourth most prosperous in the world, the best in Europe for doing business, a favourite destination amongst jet-setters, home to the world's gay-friendliest and greenest city, the best English speakers and some of the happiest and most trusting people on Earth (who can look forward to retiring on the world's best pension scheme).