The most reputable country in the world is ...

Sweden, known for its generous social benefits and commitment to gender equality, is considered the most reputable country in the world, according to an annual ranking by Reputation Institute.

Sweden rose from third place in 2017 to first this year, a move Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said signals that equality and freedom are key priorities for the Scandinavian country.

“I am convinced that this result stems from the fact that our social model creates not only growth but also freedom, equality and security,” he said. “More and more people understand that inequality is a major obstacle for economic development in the world.”

Following Sweden are Finland, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Japan, Denmark and the Netherlands to round out the top 10.

The ranking surveys more than 58,000 people in France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia on the 55 largest countries by gross domestic product. It examines ethics and perception of corruption, aesthetic beauty and “feel-good” factor, said Stephen Hahn-Griffiths, chief reputation officer at Reputation Institute.

The study also measures perceptions of the most progressive social and economic policies, the institute says, so Sweden’s acceptance of hundreds of thousands of refugees was a factor.

The United States ranked as the 34th most reputable country. Though the U.S. had strong scores economically in fostering “successful brands” and being “technologically advanced,” it lost points on “perceptions of ethics, effective government and safety,” according to Reputation Institute.