Just like we have different attitudes towards other countries, other countries have specific feelings about Americans.
If you’re looking for a new vacation destination or looking to travel or study abroad, your best options are likely ones where the residents view Americans favorably. No matter where you travel, it’s important to be respectful of each country’s cultures, traditions, and people.
Global Attitude Towards Americans
According to a report by the Pew Research Center, the share of the global public that has a favorable view of the United States is on the decline. Some countries oppose American-style democracy and President Trump’s leadership and many others oppose the spread of U.S. ideas and culture around the world.
Globally, a median of 49% holds a favorable view of the United States. This is significantly lower than the 64% during the final years of the Obama administration.
Pew Research Center has tracked 37 countries for favorability of the United States. Of these, the favorability of Americans has only increased in Russia, Vietnam, Greece, Nigeria, Jordan, and Hungary. Russia had the largest improvement with an increase of 26 percentage points from 15% to 41%. Favorability in Western Europe and Latin America has taken the hardest hit. Of the ten European Union countries surveyed, only four have positively inclined feelings towards the United States: Poland (73%), Hungary (63%), Italy (61%), and the United Kingdom (50%).
Countries with the Most Favorable Attitudes of Americans
1. Vietnam
Vietnam loves the United States the most. Vietnam has the most favorable view of Americans with a favorability of 84%. Despite the immense damage from the Vietnam War decades ago, both the United States as a whole and Donald Trump remain popular in Vietnam.
2. Israel
Israel’s favorability of the United States is at 81%. While Israel did not like the U.S. in its first few decades, it has since taken a liking to it. Favorability remained at 81% from the end of the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency. This has been especially Israel stands alone in the Middle East in its favorability of the United States, whereas the other Middle Eastern countries surveyed have very low favorability of the United States.
3. Philippines
The Philippines is the third country that loves America the most. About 78% of survey respondents expressed positive attitudes towards the United States. About 57% of respondents reported liking American democratic ideas.
4. South Korea
South Korea has a favorability rating of 75%. South Korea and the United States have been allies for 70 years; however, recent events in North Korea have put a strain on the relationship between South Korea and the U.S.
5. Poland
About 73% of respondents gave the United States a favorable response. This favorability rating is the highest in Europe. Poland’s positive attitudes toward the United States is rooted in President Reagan’s stance against the USSR and America’s help when Poland left the Soviet bloc.
6. Nigeria
Nigeria ranks sixth for the countries that loved the United States the most. About 69% of respondents have favorable opinions of the U.S. Nigeria is the world’s fourth-largest democracy and has obvious signs of American cultural influence, such as its “Nollywood” film industry. Nigeria also imports over $5.5 billion in American goods every year.
7. Hungary
Hungary has a favorability rating of 63%. Hungary is one of the few countries where Trump’s presidency is believed to have the possibility of strengthening the relationship between the United States and Hungary. Favorability from the end of the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency rose by one percentage point from 62% to 63%.
8. Italy
Italy has a favorable view of the United States despite some confusion about Americans, specifically American clothing choices and the foods Americans label as “Italian.” Italy’s favorability rating for the United States is 61%. Since the Obama presidency, favorability fell 11 percentage points from 72% to 61%.
9. Ghana
Ghana has the ninth-highest favorability of America of 59%. Since the end of the Obama presidency, Ghana’s favorability rating has dropped by 30 percentage points from 89% to 59%. This is likely in part because of President Trump’s public comment about African countries that were vile and racist.
10. Tanzania
Tanzania ranks tenth for the countries that love Americans the most. Tanzania’s favorability rating is 57%. Tanzania’s favorability of the United States dropped 21 points from 78% to 57%. Only about 27% of survey respondents in Tanzania think that the spread of American influence and culture is a good thing.
11. Japan
Japan also has a favorability ranking of 57% for Americans. The Japanese are known for being kind and patient towards American visitors and believe that the United States would use military force to aid Japan in conflict with China or North Korea. Japan’s favorability has been declining, however, with a 15-point drop from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency.