Hi °C | Lo °C IRELAND is one of the 20 most admired countries around the world, according to a survey of 50 countries' brand reputations published yesterday.
Ireland is ranked below countries such as France and the United States but above China, Brazil, Russia and India, said Anholt-GMI Nation Brands Index (NBI) spokeswoman Amanda Sham.
The results followed a survey of 50,000 people's perceptions of countries' cultural, political and tourist appeal, as well as investment potential.
She declined to say where exactly Ireland was ranked. Last year, the country was placed 18th.
The United States jumped from seventh position to most admired following the election of President Barack Obama, leapfrogging France, Germany, Britain, Japan and Italy, the report found.
"What's really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009," said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI.
The other big winner was China, which rose to 22nd place, a rise which Anholt believes is due in part to the successful staging of the Olympics.
Irish Independent
