We’d all love if the world was one big, happy global family but now, possibly more than ever, that’s definitely not the case. The reason(s) behind other countries not liking us usually have nothing to do with us as individual people as much as how politics, economics, American ideals, habits, attitudes, etc. all play roles in international relationships.
On the other hand, there are some countries that love the U.S. and much of what it stands for.
Whatever the case, knowing which countries like the U.S. and/or Americans vs. those that harbor bad feelings about us might be an influence for some people as to whether or not they visit said country. As always, Your Mileage May Vary.
So with that in mind, here are the top five countries that currently have unfavorable views of Americans and the top five countries that do.
Note: Pew Research has been surveying multiple countries about their opinions of the U.S. since 2002 The social and political climate has changed significantly since then (gee, ya think?), so it’s interesting to see how their feelings have changed over the years. The most recent data they have is from 2021, and I’m including data from every 5 years previous to that as a comparison (we posted similar global feedback in 2019 and used other countries’ opinions from 2014, 2009 and 2004. This time it will be 2021, 2016, 2011 and 2006)
Also note: For various reasons, not all countries are surveyed every year. Some countries have never been surveyed, or weren’t surveyed in 2021 (in fact, MANY countries weren’t included in the survey this time around – they only included 17 [past years have had as many as 40 countries, or as few as 7 participate]), which obviously skews the survey results quite a bit.
Top 5 Countries That Don’t Like The U.S. (2021)
1. New Zealand (55% unfavorable)
Past opinions:
2016: Greece (58% unfavorable), 2011: Jordan (84%), 2006: Jordan (85%)
2. Australia (49% unfavorable)
Past Opinions:
2016: China (44% unfavorable), 2011: Palestinian Territory (80%), 2006: Turkey (76%)
3. Singapore (49% unfavorable)
Past Opinions:
2016: Germany (38% unfavorable), 2011: Egypt (79%), 2006: Spain (73%)
4. Sweden (42% unfavorable)
Past Opinions:
2016: Australia (35% unfavorable), 2011: Turkey (77%), 2006: Egypt (69%)
5. Belgium (39% unfavorable)
Past Opinions:
2016: Hungary (32% unfavorable), 2011: Pakistan (73%), 2006: Indonesia (67%)
Notes:
- Typically, Middle Eastern countries are the ones that dislike the U.S. the most. However no Middle Eastern countries were included in the 2021 (or 2020) survey.
- The country that was the most unfavorable to us, New Zealand, has never participated in this Pew study before, so we can’t compare it to past years. Australia, on the other hand, has participated a several times and their unfavorable opinion of us has varied from a high of 64% in 2020 to a low of 30% in 2013. Gee, what a difference a pandemic and politics can hypothetically make, huh?
Top 5 Countries That Like The U.S. (2021)
1. South Korea (77% favorable)
Past opinions:
2016: (United States, 83% favorable), 2011:Japan (85%) , 2006: United States (76%)
2. The United States (76% favorable)
Past opinions:
2016: (Poland 74% favorable), 2011:Kenya (83%) , 2006: Japan (63%)
3. Italy (74% favorable)
Past opinions:
2016: (Italy 74% favorable), 2011: United States (79%) , 2006: United Kingdom (56%)
4. Japan (71% favorable)
Past opinions:
2016: (Japan 72% favorable), 2011: France (75%) , 2006: China (47%)
5. France (65% favorable)
Past opinions:
2016: (Sweden 69% favorable), 2011: Lithuania (73%) , 2006: Russia (43%)
Notes:
- The United States’ view of the United States has been included in the survey since 2005. We tend to waver in the 70s and 80s. I’m so happy we have such high self-esteem LOLOL!
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11 comments
Fun but seems like who you might ask. A government or official of a country might have an unfavorable view of another country while the people of that country have a different view.
Agreed. Still interesting, though.
This is a complex question. Political allies of the United States are different from friendly people. Some cultures are superficial friendly but actually have a lot of hate or are cold. Others are rude to begin with but do develop deep friendships.
The ratings are way off. I believe both the North Korean people and the DPRK government hates America more than #1 hate ranked Germany.
I believe Singapore has a high love relationship with America and the US Government.
Australia is not mentioned. Canada has a love/hate relationship with Americans and America.
I don’t know who they surveyed, but it doesn’t match feedback from my recent trips. For instance in talking to local Germans, there was very little negative feelings towards US citizens. And, as for the Netherlands, they are still grateful (and openly express it) towards the US for freeing them from the Germans (WWII). Everyone I spoke to had a positive experience about the US. Now, I understand there are exceptions, and that they might not like a policy or two, but nothing of the magnitude indicated above (over 60%).
I’d like to know a lot more about the polling. My wife and I were in Greece last year with another couple and not only were we never made to feel unwelcome, we were welcomed with wide open arms. This mirrored earlier visits. I’d like to know more about the questions asked. For instance, were people asked whether they dislike the US people or the US government? Our foreign policy isn’t exactly making friends abroad right now, which is certainly influencing the numbers.
Keep in mind that since the United States isn’t racially, ethnically, religiously, ideologically or politically homogenous whether one likes the U.S. or not means different things, Personally as a Christian conservative libertarian I don’t like the U.S. as a whole or say 50-55% of the people who live here, but for different reasons than others on the opposite side.
When considering other countries’ opinions of the US, you have to take into account their many perceptions of our current and recent political history, which changes all the time. They are able to separate that opinion of our government from their opinion of Americans individually and as a people. We have traveled to well over 100 countries and have shown respect, kindness, and return-of-hospitality wherever we go. That has been more than returned every place we have visited, and we have never experienced a negative reaction anywhere. To the contrary, the kindness and welcome we have experienced has blown us away so many times!! So focus less on your national identity being essential to where you come from, and more on who you are as a person of kindness and integrity. Suddenly, the world will become a much more friendly place that is happy and grateful for your presence.
My experience tells me the people of France have a much less favorable opinion. That’s from a lot of data points. As recently as last month a Frenchman was still stewing with me over the Iraq Freedom Fries thing.
Maybe the Dutch have a favorable opinion of us, having worked with them for years I never sensed a bad vibe. But my opinion of the Dutch is not as favorable.
I’ve experienced it from the Aussies but never understood it. Maybe they don’t like being called little America.
Sad to see the US having sunk so low in the apparent respective opinions of other countries’ citizens who used to be our friends. I was born right after WW II in The Netherlands, which had just been liberated (in 1945) by mostly US and Canadian forces. Growing up there (before I came to the US in 1966 (for a 1-year visit)) I never heard a bad word about the US and I have to assume that the US’ favorability rating in The Netherlands would’ve been close to 100% if it had been measured. I owe my very existence to those American forces and became a proud US citizen many years ago. I fly the Stars and Stripes every day. We are by no means perfect, but in my opinion still the greatest country in the world.
I am Swedish and there are more than 90% who like USA. I am very surpriced to read this. Are they randow Swede’s ? We did not like the negative things that happend during the last president, But it still feels very strange. USA is also a very popular destination when We travel. 🇸🇪🇺🇸
We British love our US cousins and friends.