The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been named among the world’s 25 friendliest nations, according to a poll by UK-based lender HSBC.
Bahrain topped the rankings with the No.13 spot, followed by the UAE which ranked 23rd.Saudi Arabia and Qatar took the 24 and 25 spots in the global list.
The results show a vote of confidence for Bahrain, which imposed martial law last month following weeks of anti-government protests.
Canada was named the world’s most accommodating nation, followed by Bermuda, South Africa and the United States. France, which this month enforced a public ban on Muslim full-face veils, came in at No.7, just beating the UK.
To rank countries, HSBC surveyed 4,127 expatriates in more than 100 countries between April and June 2010. Countries needed to have at least 30 respondents to be included in the rankings, so only 25 countries are ranked.
People rated their host countries on everything from economics to raising children and overall experience.
Then, to determine which places were the friendliest, Forbes looked at the results in four categories: ability to befriend locals, success in learning the local language, capacity for integrating into the community, and ease of fitting into the new culture.
For the full listing of countries, continue to the next page [or click here]
*With agencies
The world’s friendliest countries, as ranked by HSBC. The lender surveyed 4,127 expatriates in more than 100 countries between April and June 2010. Countries needed to have at least 30 respondents to be included in the rankings, so only 25 countries are ranked.
1. Canada
2. Bermuda
3. South Africa
4. The U.S.
5. Australia
6. Spain
7. France
8. The UK
9. Malaysia
10. Germany
11. Mexico
12. Thailand
13. Bahrain
14. Philippines
15. Singapore
16. Hong Kong
17. Russia
18. China
19. Belgium
20. Netherlands
21. India
22. Switzerland
23. United Arab Emirates
24. Saudi Arabia
25. Qatar
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