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Russia
Ukraine, a nation whose history has experienced long periods of occupation from other countries, today wrestles between war and peace, as well as between corruption and reform. The nation borders the Black and Azov seas to the south and abuts several Eastern European nations, including <anchor>Russia</anchor>. Ukraine declared independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Its president is directly elected by voters. The prime minister is the head of the central government, which is separated along executive, legislative and judicial branches.
Russia - Rankings, News | U.S. News Best Countries
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1. Russia
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# Russia

![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)#36in [Overall Rankings](/news/best-countries/rankings)#37 out of 87 in 2023

_More_

Credit

(Andreas Rentz\|Getty Images)

![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000151-8442-d104-a7f5-aeee9c7e0000/bc16-russia-crop-editorial.jpg?update-time=1452285795193&size=superhero-medium)

- [Overview](#country-overview)
- [Ranking Details](#country-ranking-details)
- [Photos](#country-photos)
- [Additional Rankings](#country-additional-rankings)
- [Recommended Articles](#country-recommended-articles)

- [Overview](#country-overview)
- [Ranking Details](#country-ranking-details)
- [Photos](#country-photos)
- [Additional Rankings](#country-additional-rankings)
- [Recommended Articles](#country-recommended-articles)

## Overview of Russia

![](/static-atlas/assets/img/news/best-countries/globes/Russia.png)

CapitalMoscow

RegionAsia

GDP Per Capita, PPP$44,104

GDP$2.02 trillion

Population143,826,130

Area17,098,242 SQ.KM

## Overview of Russia

More on Russia

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000191-c345-d286-a1f3-efef01940001/240910bc-overview.jpg?update-time=1725558379196&size=responsive640)](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/us-news-unveils-best-countries-rankings)

[Switzerland Is the Best Country for 2024](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/us-news-unveils-best-countries-rankings) [The 10 Most Corrupt Countries](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/10-most-corrupt-countries-ranked-by-perception) [Countries With the Most Olympic Medals](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/the-countries-with-the-most-olympic-medals)

The scale of Russia is difficult to imagine. It is the world’s largest country by land mass – nearly twice as big as [Canada](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/canada), the world’s second-largest nation – and covers all of northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe. It shares land borders with more than a dozen countries, and shares sea borders with [Japan](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/japan) and the [United States](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/united-states).

Russia as a nation dates back more than a millennium and authoritarian rule has marked much of its history. It was the largest and leading republic of the Soviet Union, which formed in 1922. Following the Soviet collapse in 1991, Russia became an independent nation. Russians directly elect their president, and the federal government includes legislative and judicial branches, as well as a presidency possessing extensive authority.

Western governments and organizations have criticized the Russian government for [being authoritarian](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2017-07-26/russian-authorities-increase-crackdown-on-cultural-dissent) and guilty of human-rights abuses. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the role it has played in the conflict in [Ukraine](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/ukraine) has increased tension between Moscow and the West, including sanctions imposed by Western countries. International anxieties also have focused on concern over alleged Russian-government interference in Western politics, [including the 2016 U.S. presidential election](https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-12-28/white-house-finalizing-sanctions-against-russia-over-election-cyberattacks).

READ MORE

\[Explore the [top universities in Russia](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/search?country=russia).\]

Russia has one of the world’s [largest economies](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-international-influence) that is powered by its extensive [natural resources](http://wdi.worldbank.org/table/3.15). Top industries include oil and natural gas production, with agriculture, forestry, fishing and manufacturing serving as other economic drivers. Oil and natural gas, in particular, represent large portions of the country’s economy. Russia also is one of the world’s largest [exporters of military weapons](http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/transfers/measuring/recent-trends-in-arms-transfers), trailing only the United States.

The majority of people are ethnic Russian, but more than 100 ethnicities and languages exist in the country. Russia’s vast size and deep history has nurtured major [cultural contributions](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/influence-rankings) in science and the arts. Russians were the first to launch an artificial satellite into outer space and to perform a spacewalk. Writers such as Aleksandr Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Leo Tolstoy are synonymous with classical literature, while Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Boris Pasternak have represented independence from central authority.

Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and is a member of major international organizations, including the Group of 20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization.

\[Explore the [top universities in Russia](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/search?country=russia).\]

Russia has one of the world’s [largest economies](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-international-influence) that is powered by its extensive [natural resources](http://wdi.worldbank.org/table/3.15). Top industries include oil and natural gas production, with agriculture, forestry, fishing and manufacturing serving as other economic drivers. Oil and natural gas, in particular, represent large portions of the country’s economy. Russia also is one of the world’s largest [exporters of military weapons](http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/transfers/measuring/recent-trends-in-arms-transfers), trailing only the United States.

The majority of people are ethnic Russian, but more than 100 ethnicities and languages exist in the country. Russia’s vast size and deep history has nurtured major [cultural contributions](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/influence-rankings) in science and the arts. Russians were the first to launch an artificial satellite into outer space and to perform a spacewalk. Writers such as Aleksandr Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Leo Tolstoy are synonymous with classical literature, while Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Boris Pasternak have represented independence from central authority.

Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and is a member of major international organizations, including the Group of 20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization.

More on Russia

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000191-c345-d286-a1f3-efef01940001/240910bc-overview.jpg?update-time=1725558379196&size=responsive640)](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/us-news-unveils-best-countries-rankings)

[Switzerland Is the Best Country for 2024](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/us-news-unveils-best-countries-rankings) [The 10 Most Corrupt Countries](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/10-most-corrupt-countries-ranked-by-perception) [Countries With the Most Olympic Medals](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/the-countries-with-the-most-olympic-medals)

## Russia Rankings

#36

Overall Rank

CategoryRankScore

#37 out of 87 in 2023

37.9

Overall Score

[Read our methodology](/news/best-countries/articles/methodology) to see how the scores and rankings were calculated.

RankingsAdventure8.4#74Agility35.1#32Cultural Influence24.9#37Entrepreneurship43.2#27Heritage34.1#39Movers53.3#17Open for Business0.0#89Power91.0#3Quality of Life17.7#46Social Purpose7.4#52

- [Adventure](/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure)**8.4**













**#74**

- [Agility](/news/best-countries/rankings/agility)**35.1**













**#32**

- [Cultural Influence](/news/best-countries/rankings/influence)**24.9**













**#37**

- [Entrepreneurship](/news/best-countries/rankings/entrepreneurship)**43.2**













**#27**

- [Heritage](/news/best-countries/rankings/heritage)**34.1**













**#39**

- [Movers](/news/best-countries/rankings/movers)**53.3**













**#17**

- [Open for Business](/news/best-countries/rankings/open-for-business)**0.0**













**#89**

- [Power](/news/best-countries/rankings/power)**91.0**













**#3**

- [Quality of Life](/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life)**17.7**













**#46**

- [Social Purpose](/news/best-countries/rankings/social-purpose)**7.4**













**#52**


#36

Overall Rank

#37 out of 87 in 2023

37.9

Overall Score

[Read our methodology](/news/best-countries/articles/methodology) to see how the scores and rankings were calculated.

CategoryRankScore

RankingsAdventure8.4#74Agility35.1#32Cultural Influence24.9#37Entrepreneurship43.2#27Heritage34.1#39Movers53.3#17Open for Business0.0#89Power91.0#3Quality of Life17.7#46Social Purpose7.4#52

- [Adventure](/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure)**8.4**













**#74**

- [Agility](/news/best-countries/rankings/agility)**35.1**













**#32**

- [Cultural Influence](/news/best-countries/rankings/influence)**24.9**













**#37**

- [Entrepreneurship](/news/best-countries/rankings/entrepreneurship)**43.2**













**#27**

- [Heritage](/news/best-countries/rankings/heritage)**34.1**













**#39**

- [Movers](/news/best-countries/rankings/movers)**53.3**













**#17**

- [Open for Business](/news/best-countries/rankings/open-for-business)**0.0**













**#89**

- [Power](/news/best-countries/rankings/power)**91.0**













**#3**

- [Quality of Life](/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life)**17.7**













**#46**

- [Social Purpose](/news/best-countries/rankings/social-purpose)**7.4**













**#52**


Adventure

#74

Ranking

8.4

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Adventure.](/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Friendly**2.1**

- Fun**4.9**

- Good for tourism**9.5**

- Pleasant climate**0.0**

- Scenic**16.2**

- Sexy**14.2**


Agility

#32

Ranking

35.1

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Agility.](/news/best-countries/rankings/agility)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Adaptable**3.8**

- Dynamic**45.4**

- Modern**31.8**

- Progressive**41.0**

- Responsive**46.8**


Cultural Influence

#37

Ranking

24.9

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Cultural Influence.](/news/best-countries/rankings/influence)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Culturally significant in terms of entertainment**13.9**

- Fashionable**11.8**

- Happy**1.7**

- Has an influential culture**52.3**

- Has strong consumer brands**28.7**

- Modern**31.8**

- Prestigious**41.7**

- Trendy**20.7**


Entrepreneurship

#27

Ranking

43.2

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Entrepreneurship.](/news/best-countries/rankings/entrepreneurship)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Connected to the rest of the world**42.2**

- Educated population**43.2**

- Entrepreneurial**37.6**

- Innovative**44.3**

- Provides easy access to capital**16.6**

- Skilled labor force**41.8**

- Technological expertise**73.3**

- Transparent business practices**12.8**

- Well-developed digital infrastructure**52.6**

- Well-developed infrastructure**63.8**

- Well-developed legal framework**18.5**


Heritage

#39

Ranking

34.1

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Heritage.](/news/best-countries/rankings/heritage)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Culturally accessible**5.5**

- Has a rich history**86.2**

- Has great food**4.2**

- Many cultural attractions**36.2**

- Many geographic attractions**44.8**


Movers

#17

Ranking

53.3

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Movers.](/news/best-countries/rankings/movers)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Different**40.0**

- Distinctive**64.9**

- Dynamic**45.4**

- Unique**40.6**


Open for Business

#89

Ranking

0.0

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Open for Business.](/news/best-countries/rankings/open-for-business)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Cheap manufacturing costs**4.1**

- Favorable tax environment**12.6**

- Not Bureaucratic**0.0**

- Not Corrupt**0.0**

- Transparent government practices**7.9**


Power

#3

Ranking

91.0

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Power.](/news/best-countries/rankings/power)

**Score**

### Attributes

- A leader**99.0**

- Economically influential**90.3**

- Has strong exports**61.7**

- Politically influential**100.0**

- Strong international alliances**76.4**

- Strong military**100.0**


Quality of Life

#46

Ranking

17.7

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Quality of Life.](/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life)

**Score**

### Attributes

- A good job market**33.3**

- Affordable**4.1**

- Economically stable**40.4**

- Family-friendly**3.7**

- Income equality**13.3**

- Politically stable**20.4**

- Safe**3.5**

- Well-developed public education system**27.1**

- Well-developed public health system**17.8**


Social Purpose

#52

Ranking

7.4

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Social Purpose.](/news/best-countries/rankings/social-purpose)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Cares about animal rights**4.6**

- Cares about human rights**2.0**

- Cares about the environment**6.2**

- Committed to climate goals**12.4**

- Committed to social justice**3.2**

- Gender equality**11.2**

- Racial equity**7.2**

- Religious freedom**6.3**

- Respects property rights**9.0**

- Trustworthy**4.0**

- Well-distributed political power**44.2**


### Russia in Photos

![MOSCOW, RUSSIA - OCTOBER 31:  Tourists explore the Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral on October 31, 2013 in Moscow, Russia  (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000152-1005-d085-a373-ffbda4d10000/bc16-russia-gallery-01.JPG?update-time=1452878197180&size=responsive640)

View All 13 Images

[![](/static-atlas/assets/img/news/best-countries/rail-promo.svg)](/news/best-countries)

Learn More

Here's a look at the data behind our rankings.

[How the Countries Were RankedHow the Countries Were Ranked](/news/best-countries/articles/methodology) [Best Countries FAQBest Countries FAQ](/news/best-countries/articles/frequently-asked-questions)

### More Countries

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000151-83dc-d104-a7f5-abfcad4f0000/151208-editorial.jpg?update-time=1452286146642&size=responsiveSquare150)\
\
Egypt\
\
#35 in Best Countries](/news/best-countries/egypt)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000015a-397b-d9e9-a9da-bf7fed970000/bc17-poland-crop.jpg?update-time=1487098372148&size=responsiveSquare150)\
\
Poland\
\
#37 in Best Countries](/news/best-countries/poland)

## Additional Rankings

[![Aerial view of a suburb in Auckland, New Zealand - stock photo ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-617a-d3ab-afef-f97fa81a0000/gettyimages-1391853603.jpg?update-time=1663787853039&size=responsive300)\
\
Comfortable Retirement\
\
Russia #88](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-retire)

[![Statue of John Harvard, Harvard University Boston (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-6131-d3ab-afef-f97dec660000/gettyimages-1238018692-2.jpg?update-time=1663783276915&size=responsive300)\
\
Education\
\
Russia #24](/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education)

[![Open courtyard garden with walkways and curved building facades. Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, Singapore. Architect: UNStudio, 2015. (Photo by: Hufton+Crow/View Pictures/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-6184-d3ab-afef-f9eddcc40000/gettyimages-929401562.jpg?update-time=1663790254641&size=responsive300)\
\
Forward Thinking\
\
Russia #36](/news/best-countries/most-forward-thinking-countries)

[![Wind turbines generating electricity. energy conservation concept.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-eb64-deb3-a1eb-eb75b9170000/180112-greenliving-editorial.jpg?update-time=1515777846984&size=responsive300)\
\
Green Living\
\
Russia #31](/news/best-countries/most-sustainable-countries)

[![Pedestrians Crossing the Street, Soho, New York, USA](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000015b-3682-d397-a1fb-7eaf9cc90000/170403-editorial.jpg?update-time=1526060193869&size=responsive300)\
\
Headquarter a Corporation\
\
Russia #39](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-headquarter-a-corporation)

[![TOPSHOT - Visitors watch the Independence Day fireworks display near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall on July 4, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-61b0-de61-a983-f1f8d6270000/gettyimages-1233806705.jpg?update-time=1663791378140&size=responsive300)\
\
International Influence\
\
Russia #6](/news/best-countries/most-influential-countries)

[![Workers are seen on scaffolding at a construction site for an expressway in Manila on March 8, 2017.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-c1dc-deb3-a1eb-c9ddcc440000/180104-bestcountries-bestinvest-lead-editorial.jpg?update-time=1515081029727&size=responsive300)\
\
Invest In\
\
Russia #30](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-invest-in)

[![TOPSHOT - A protester holds up a placard reading 'All BLM (short for: Black Lives Matter) during a demonstration in Deventer, The Netherlands, on June 14, 2020 as part of the worldwide protests against racism and police brutality. (Photo by Robin VAN LONKHUIJSEN / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000178-a873-d179-a97c-af731d600000/210406-netherlands-editorial.jpg?update-time=1617734165037&size=responsive300)\
\
Racial Equity\
\
Russia #72](/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-racial-equity)

[![Hand holding newborn baby's hand ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-61b2-de61-a983-f1faf3620000/gettyimages-1153619086.jpg?update-time=1663791832001&size=responsive300)\
\
Raising Children\
\
Russia #59](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-raise-a-family)

[![Female Videographer Exploring On Jungle Adventure.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000154-3949-d85c-a9d7-3d698efa0000/160421-jungleexplore-stock.jpg?update-time=1461250212056&size=responsive300)\
\
Solo Travel\
\
Russia #85](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-travel-alone)

[![This photograph taken on November 24, 2020 shows a warehouse technician working at Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Asia Pacific) in Singapore. - The city-state is on course for its worst ever recession this year but factory activity has held up, thanks partly to countries rushing to stockpile medicines during the pandemic. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) / To go with AFP story Singapore-economy-pharmaceutical-health-virus, FOCUS by Martin Abbugao (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000178-a353-d179-a97c-af5373fb0000/210405-singapore-editorial.jpg?update-time=1617648186342&size=responsive300)\
\
Start a Business\
\
Russia #88](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-start-a-business)

[![Business people walking on pedestrian crossing.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-eb9a-deb3-a1eb-ebdbdb230000/180112-startacareer-stock.jpg?update-time=1515781470845&size=responsive300)\
\
Start a Career\
\
Russia #25](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-start-a-career)

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Study Abroad\
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Transparency\
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[![A reveller with mirrored glasses laughs on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England on June 22, 2016.  / AFP / Andy Buchanan        (Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-ebb2-deb3-a1eb-ebf3d5d50000/180112bcbestofwomen-editorial.jpg?update-time=1516124334841&size=responsive300)\
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Women\
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Russia #44](/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-women)

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