Germany is the top-rated country for global leadership, according to a new Gallup poll released today based on surveys in 133 countries.
Germany's approval rating stood at 46% in 2023, while the U.S. followed closely behind with 41%.
As Europe's largest economy, Germany boasts a 60% leadership approval rating on the continent, exceeding that of the United States by double digits.
The United States, a historically dominant power, witnessed a slight decline in leadership approval ratings in some African nations and India, the world's most populous country.
Disapproval of U.S. leadership increased to 36%, marking a 1 percentage point rise from the previous year.
The conflict in Gaza appears to have influenced U.S. approval ratings in some countries. Gallup notes a slight decline in countries surveyed after the conflict began.
The United States’ unwavering support for Israel seems to have surged its approval in Israel to 81%, but its approval fell to 11% “in the State of Palestine.”
"The United States is seen to apply international humanitarian and human rights law inconsistently, calling out Russia for abuses in Ukraine but not criticizing allies like Israel for its violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza,” said Maryam Zarnegar Deloffre, a professor of international affairs at The George Washington University.
The U.S.’s vetoes against a cease-fire in Gaza, backed by a majority of member states, might have eroded confidence in international laws, Deloffre told VOA.
The poll offers a bleak image of Russia, particularly in Europe, with a more than 90% disapproval rating.
Overall, however, Russia’s leadership approval was at 22% last year, up from 21% in 2022.
At 58% China had the highest approval in Africa, followed by the U.S. (56%), Germany (54%) and Russia 42%.
But the U.S. is considered to have a soft power advantage over China in most parts of the world.
Across the world, the United States’ leadership abilities rated higher in Kosovo (84%) than in the rest of the world.
The Russian Federation gave the U.S. its highest disapproval rating at 88%.
With 39% approval, the U.S. enjoyed the highest approval in the Americas, followed by Germany with 29%.
