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What are the top 10 richest countries in the world? Qatar has consistently come out on top of the list in recent years. For many of us, this question almost automatically brings to mind economic powerhouses such as the United States and China. This may be true if one is to use gross domestic product (GDP) as basis for measuring national wealth. However, size has been found to be of no consequence and national revenue no longer a reliable basis by which to classify whether a country is rich or poor.

Experts have found that a far more accurate alternative is to look at each nation's data on GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity. To put it simply, a country's wealth should be measured by the totality of all goods and services (excluding revenue and investments from overseas), taking into account a country's population. So in the case of Qatar, which remains as the richest country in the world today, its GDP per capita of $129,360 represents the annual income of the average Qatari.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is known for issuing biannual reports on the economic performance of the world's richest nations based on their GDP per capita. It likewise makes use of PPP capita as an additional basis for its report. Essentially, PPP makes a just comparison of living conditions among different countries by taking into consideration inflation rates and relative cost of living.

Source: gfmag.com

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Whereas before most agencies have used GDPs as the basis for measuring national wealth, this practice has proved notoriously unreliable. If such were to be used, the current global GDP forecast would almost certainly put economic superpowers at the forefront of rich nations. Most economic heavy hitters have high GDPs but are not considered rich countries due to their large populations, hence unimpressive GDP per capita. They likewise do not rely on immigrant workers who are not taken into account when calculating for GDP per capita.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 richest countries in the world ranked according to economic data released by the IMF .

Traditional economic powers have ceased to become the wealthiest nations in the world. Although GDPs have been increasing at breakneck speed, the distribution of wealth has yet to undergo radical changes. Here, we list the top 10 richest countries in the world.

10. Hong Kong

This former colony of Great Britain is now a special administrative region of China, which begs the question: is it an independent country? This is apparently the case as the whole world in general treats it as one. It is one of Asia's financial hubs, ranking no. 4 out of the world's 190 economies in the Ease of Doing Business index that the World Bank periodically compiles. A popular destination for startups, Hong Kong is open to foreigners owning 100% of their businesses despite the absence of citizenship. It is also home to the largest number of ultra-high net worth ($30 million at the least) people in the world.

9. Kuwait

Ninth in our top 10 richest countries in the world list, this small Arab nation is known for having a petroleum-based economy with petroleum-based products accounting for 95 percent of its exports. It, therefore, does not come as a surprise that Kuwait's GDP per capita has reached $66,980, spiking by 1.9 percent from the previous year. The country is not only the ninth richest in the world, but is also one of the wealthiest among Gulf Cooperation Council member states, second only to Qatar. But the fact that the country sits on around 10 percent of the world's petroleum reserves has not kept it from exploring other revenue sources. In fact, it has been seeking to diversify into other potential income sources in preparation for the future.

8. United Arab Emirates

Another Middle Eastern country that relies heavily on petroleum revenues, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also benefits from income derived from its telecommunications and services sectors. It does not rest on its laurels despite being among the world's most wealthy nations. It has been diversifying its income sources, betting on industries that have high-yield potential. This move has immensely benefited the national economy, with the tourist trade helping the economy through the 2007-2009 world financial crisis. Sound economic policy has indeed been sustaining the UAE, resulting in a 2.4 percent increase in its GDP per capita, which now stands at $70,262.

7. Norway

A prominent country in Scandinavia, Norway is gifted with both beauty and charm, not to mention a rich economy. In fact, its GDP per capita has expanded by 3.1 percent in 2018, reaching a staggering $74,318. Industrialization has greatly contributed to the country's economic growth, with activities such as natural resource and petroleum exploration and fishing contributing in bulk to the economy. Known for its impeccable living standards, Norway's monetary policy is of an independent nature, which has apparently been working to its advantage given its high productivity, state-sponsored healthcare and negligible unemployment rate.

6. Ireland

A land known for weaning great writers and its lovely tourist spots, Ireland has evolved into one of the most affluent nations in the world. It has one of the highest living standards worldwide thanks to its robust economy, which is primarily driven by trade and investment specifically. Ireland's GDP per capita has increased by 6.1 percent, reaching $77.670. Despite peaking in 2008, Ireland's economic growth remains the envy of other countries. The entry of foreign investors like Microsoft, Google and Apple has transformed the country into an exporter of medical, electrical and computer equipment. Also contributing to its economic growth are its pharmaceutical and chemical industries, along with natural resources such as fisheries, minerals and timber.

5. Brunei Darussalam

This small Southeast Asian nation is populated by only 400,000 people. But don't let its size fool you. Brunei Darussalam has consistently made it to the top 10 richest countries in the world in recent years. This year, the country holds the no. 5 spot with a GDP per capita of $81,612, up 3.1 percent from 2017. This robust Southeast Asian economy is heavily dependent on its oil and natural gas production, which supports more than half of its GDP. This is further reinforced with income from its investments overseas and local production. Brunei, however, is starting to diversify its economy by investing in other sectors. The strong economy is reflected in the government's subsidy of food and housing and provision of free healthcare to its people.

4. Singapore

This cosmopolitan city-state of 5.612 million people is known as the wealthiest nation in Asia and by far, fourth in the whole world with a GDP per capita of $98, 255, a 4.4 percent increase from 2017. Despite its minuscule size, lack of natural resources and agricultural land, it has managed to amass wealth that other countries only dream of. Today, Singapore's economy continues to grow, driven primarily by foreign investments and trade. The largest economic sectors include banking, shipbuilding and electronics. Dubbed as the most expensive country in the world, Singapore has been living up to its reputation as its economy expanded by 3.9 percent during the second quarter of 2018 alone. Much of this has been attributed to the country's liberal economic policy and multicultural economy. Although the financial services sector remains as the backbone of the country's economy, its services and manufacturing industries have consistently contributed to its economic standing.

3. Luxembourg

This small European nation is known for its majestic castles, delectable cuisines and being the last Grand Duchy in the world. But the country more than makes up for its size with its strong economy. Luxembourg ranks third in our list of the top 10 richest countries in the world. The country has posted a GDP per capita of $109, 199, an increase of 3.9 percent from last year. Its diverse natural resources are seen as the main driver of Luxembourg's economic growth with the steel, industrial and banking segments as its leading revenue generators. It has also been attracting banks from around the globe owing to its low taxes, proof of which is the fact that the country has over 150 banks. Conservative economic policies have also played a role in the country's economic growth with an economy known for innovation and negligible inflation rates.

2. Macau

This former Portuguese colony has established itself as the second wealthiest nation in the world, posting a 7.4 percent increase in its GDP per capita, which has reached $118.099. Its strong economy is driven primarily by tourism and gambling, earning the title "largest gambling center in the world." Compared to other gambling economies, Macau has reaped the most benefit from the sector, continuously posting the highest gambling revenue in the world since the year 2006. Visitor arrivals have likewise increased, rising by 8 percent to 16.81 million during the first six months of 2018. Although these income sources have been consistently delivering, moves to develop the administrative and manufacturing sectors are underway.

1. Qatar

Ranking first in our Top 10 richest countries in the world list is oil-rich Qatar. Its robust economy, which has been outperforming the rest of the world, is powered by its well-established petroleum sector, which accounts for around 85 percent of its export and 70 percent of total national revenue. With a population of only around 2.639 million, Qatar enjoys the economic benefits of a small nation blessed with vast oil reserves. The country, in recent years, has enjoyed surplus revenues from the oil sector. Aside from this, the tourist trade has also been contributing to the national coffers, along with its steel and fertilizer exports. But Qatar's economy is far from perfect, relying on expat labor to keep its economic engine running. The government does not levy any taxes on Qataris, making them enjoy their earnings in full, along with the national health insurance that the government sponsors.

How Does A Country Become Rich or Poor?

As explained earlier, the "richness" or "poorness" of a nation is determined by its GDP per capita. However, this does not mean that people in poor countries are generally poor. In the same manner, poor people exist in wealthy countries. And because poverty is seen as the more pressing issue between the two, studies have been focusing on how to alleviate poverty.

The answer to this question lies not in raising a country's GDP but rather in increasing the economic output per person. Simply put, economic growth is the key factor in minimizing poverty. To push economic growth, a country needs to increase capital and labor productivity. This is called total factor productivity, which when raised drives economic growth.

TFP, in turn, is influenced by two factors-governance and trade, with one paving the way for the other. Government, which crafts economic policy and access to capitalization, can either boost or negatively influence trade. When properly nurtured, trade serves as an excellent economic driver and vice versa.
So there you have it the top 10 richest countries in the world ranked by GDP per capita. Now the wealth that these nations possess might be a bit overwhelming to some. But bear in mind that there are a lot of factors that influence this list apart from economic performance. Just like in the corporate world, these rankings undergo reshuffling every year. Speaking of which, the richest companies in the world should be worth checking out, allowing you to find out who's raking in the big bucks in the world of business.

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Top 10 Richest Countries in the World in 2018 - Financesonline.com

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What are the top 10 richest countries in the world? Qatar has consistently come out on top of the list in recent years. For many of us, this question almost automatically brings to mind economic powerhouses such as the United States and China.

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2019 Best Countries

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Behind a country's wealth and success are the policies that create possibilities, the people that drive the effort and the history that shapes the environment and perspective.

Globalization has expanded a country's presence beyond its physical borders, and the Best Countries rankings - now in their fourth year - seek to examine a nation's worth beyond hard metrics.

The 2019 Best Countries report and rankings are based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics, impressions that have the potential to drive trade, travel and investment and directly affect national economies. The report covers perceptions of 80 nations.

The study and model used to score and rank countries were developed by BAV Group and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specifically professor David J. Reibstein, in consultation with U.S. News & World Report.

A set of 65 country attributes - terms that can be used to describe a country and that are also relevant to the success of a modern nation - were identified. Attributes by nation were presented in a survey of more than 20,000 people from across the globe. Participants assessed how closely they associated an attribute with a nation.

Each country was scored on each of the 65 country attributes based on a collection of individual survey responses. The more a country was perceived to exemplify a certain characteristic in relation to the average, the higher that country's attribute score and vice versa. These scores were normalized to account for outliers and transformed into a scale that could be compared across the board.

Attributes were grouped into nine subrankings that rolled into the Best Countries ranking: Adventure, Citizenship, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power and Quality of Life.

These thematic subrankings were formed by grouping country attributes that had similar global trends in survey responses. Subranking scores for each country were determined by averaging the scores that country received in each of the attributes comprising that subranking.

To determine the weight each subranking score had in the overall Best Countries score, each was correlated to 2017 gross domestic product at purchasing power parity per capita, a measure of inclusive prosperity, as reported by the International Monetary Fund. Subrankings that demonstrated a stronger relationship with the wealth metric were weighted more heavily, and all weights were standardized to total 100.

The Movers subranking represents a version of BAV's BrandAsset Valuator Model of Brand Building, a metric developed by BAV that is predictive of a country's future growth in terms of gross domestic product at purchasing power parity. Instead of one year of data, it was correlated to projected growth through 2022.

The subrankings, their weights in calculating the overall ranking score and the country attributes factored into each are below. The country attribute scores were equally weighted within each subranking. Subranking weights differ slightly from previous years, as they are tied to more recent gross domestic product data. They may not add up to precisely 100.00 due to rounding.

To arrive at a country's rank, we first calculated its standardized scores for each of the 65 country attributes. Each country received nine subranking scores by averaging its scores for the country attributes grouped into that subranking. A country's overall score reflects the weighted sum of its subranking scores. The subranking and overall scores were rescaled so that the top country in each category received a value of 100, and others were calculated as a proportion of that top score. Scores were ranked in descending order.
Choosing Survey Participants
To understand how countries are perceived, we endeavored to survey engaged citizens who are broadly representative of the global population, with an emphasis on those who would deem the topic and findings most relevant to their lives.

Self-identification in demographic questions distinguished respondents into three defined groups: informed elites - college educated individuals who consider themselves middle class or higher and who read or watch the news at least four days a week; business decision-makers - senior leaders in an organization or small business owners who employ others; and general public - adults at least 18 years old who were nationally representative of their country in terms of age and gender.

Individuals who were likely to fit these descriptions were targeted and sent the link to an online survey through Lightspeed GMI, a global market research and data collection firm. We aimed to gather an equal share of responses from each type of citizen.

A total of 20,301 individuals from 36 countries in four regions - the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and Africa - were surveyed. Of the respondents, 11,238 were informed elites and 5,963 were business decision-makers. Some respondents were considered both informed elites and business decision-makers.

Regardless of demographics or participant type, each individual's responses weighed equally in the results.
Data Source: About the Survey
Survey participants were given a random subset of countries and country attributes to consider. The combinations were presented in a grid form where participants were prompted to check off the characteristics they associated with each country. If a participant indicated that they were not familiar with a country, it was removed from their survey.

Each participant considered about half of the country attributes for about a third of the countries. In this way, each attribute and country pair was reviewed at least 270 times by each of the three types of survey participants in each of the four regions. The more times an attribute-country pair was checked off in the grid, the higher the attribute score was for that country.

In addition to considering countries in terms of attributes, each survey participant was asked to respond to a set of questions that gauge perceptions of the state of the world today on a variety of topics including the economy, politics, leadership and technology.

A set of standard demographic questions helped to screen for global diversity and equal weight among participant groups.
Choosing the Countries to Rank
We narrowed the world's nations down to a statistically manageable group by comparing the performance of countries in a number of key business, economic and quality of life indicators.

The 80 countries in the 2019 Best Countries rankings had to meet four criteria within the most recent year for which data are available specific to each benchmark to be included in the study:

Top 100 countries in terms of gross domestic product in 2016, based on World Bank data

Top 100 countries in terms of foreign direct investment inflows in 2016, based on World Bank data

Top 100 countries in terms of international tourism receipts in 2016, based on World Bank data

Top 150 countries in the U.N.'s Human Development Index, based on the 2016 report

Those that did not reach all four of these benchmarks and those that did not report these statistics were not included. Reflective of global trends captured in the most recently available benchmark data, the 2019 Best Countries analysis includes five new countries: Belgium, Estonia, Iraq, Lithuania and Slovakia. Similarly, five countries failed to meet all four benchmarks this year and have dropped out of the rankings: Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Bolivia and Kenya.

Collectively, the 80 countries in the report account for about 95 percent of global gross domestic product and represent more than 80 percent of the world's population. They span the globe, covering Africa, Asia, Central America, Eurasia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania and South America.

Best Countries first launched in 2016 based on a model of a country's brand evaluation created by BAV Consulting former CEO John Gerzema, tested by former BAV Group Senior Vice President Anna Blender and validated by WPP Senior Advisor David Sable.
What's different about this year's Best Countries report?
While the Best Countries rankings are based largely on perception, the four benchmarks used in the methodology and category weights are driven by hard data. Incorporating the most recently available data into these elements resulted in two key changes. First, the weight of each subranking in the overall Best Countries score shifted slightly relative to changes in how closely their trends matched updated gross domestic product data. Second, more recent data changed the set of countries that met the four benchmarks needed to be included in the analysis. Belgium, Estonia, Iraq, Lithuania and Slovakia were added, while Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Bolivia and Kenya did not make the cut
Some of the country attributes reflect more unfavorable aspects of a country. Could high scores on these attributes help raise a country's score or rank?
Scores for the negative country attributes - bureaucratic and corrupt - were inverted when calculated into the subranking and overall scores. In this way, the countries that were the most closely associated with these attributes performed worse.

No, scores were calculated in relation to each other in a way that did not allow for ties.
Could survey participants answer about their country of residence or citizenship?
Yes. Survey participants could answer about any country that was randomly assigned to them as long as they did not indicate that they were not familiar with that country.
The survey refers to 65 country attributes, but there are not that many listed.
Correct. Eight country attributes were not included in any of the sub-rankings and therefore do not factor into the overall Best Countries score or rank. These data may be used in additional analysis.
This methodology mentions a group of 80 countries and a group of 36 countries. What's the difference?
Eighty countries were reviewed in a survey to create these rankings. People from 36 countries answered that survey. In many cases, countries overlapped, but the survey was fielded in some countries that were not ranked and vice versa.
Why are a few rankings missing some countries? Where can I learn more about the study and the model?
See the answers to some frequently asked questions here, and contact pr@usnews.com to reach U.S. News. Our partners advise governments, corporations and nongovernmental organizations on nation branding, including bespoke country analysis and other reports. Professor David Reibstein can be reached at reibstein@wharton.upenn.edu. For more information see www.bavgroup.com.

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Methodology: How the 2019 Best Countries Were Ranked

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Behind a country's wealth and success are the policies that create possibilities, the people that drive the effort and the history that shapes the environment and perspective. Globalization has expanded a country's presence beyond its physical borders, and the Best Countries rankings - now in their fourth year - seek to examine a nation's worth beyond hard metrics.

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If the country you are studying is here, read the entire paragraph(s) about it.

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Discipline and strict enforcement of the policies and the laws of the land may be seen as harsh implementations by many but viewed as a necessary tool by others. Some say that overflowing strictness borders on oppression and this often leads to resentment of the people. However, advocates of stern application of the rules debate that lenient measures result in uncooperative citizens who will never take authority seriously.

Whatever their reasons, the following nations are champions of strict governance and implementation of their laws. Some may be bounded by tradition. Others by religion. But these countries are serious when it comes to their policies and this is something you should consider before entering their boundaries.

10. North Korea

The only country today that is still purely Communist, North Korea accepts tourists from other nations other than South Korea and the United States. Tourists are assigned personal escorts called minders. These escorts will accompany tourists from the day they come in to the day they fly out to ensure they are not breaking any rules, such as speaking against the North Korean government.

Everything is controlled by the administration, from TV, radio, and print. Contents for news and broadcast are censored. Internet access is only granted to the ruling elite and even their online activities are strictly monitored.

As for North Koreans, their movements are very limited. They are not allowed to loiter in parks and all their movements and activities must be supported by a valid reason. Sexual relationships between non-married couples are prohibited. The government's "Dating Police" are tasked to ensure no such relationships occur. North Korea also has a strict fashion code, for example women are not allowed to wear pants and men should cut their hair every 15 days.

Violations are punishable by forced labor for a certain period of time.

9. Iran

Unlike most countries governed by philosophical tenets, Iran's governance is based on religion and that is the Sharia Law. Prohibited in Iran are actions and propaganda against the government. A slight statement in the negative about how bad the Iranian government is is enough to get you in trouble. Logging on to social media sites like Facebook, Google +, and YouTube also means trouble.

Men cannot sport certain hair styles other than what is prescribed in Islam. Women are not allowed to go out in public unless they adhere to certain dress codes, such as covering their head in hijab and avoiding skinny jeans. Western music such as jazz, rock, and rap are strictly prohibited. Alcoholic beverages for both men and women are highly discouraged.

8. Syria

Violence has increased in Syria over the years as clashes between the government and the rebel forces continue to mount. To quell anti-government actions, the Syrian regime has resorted to a nationwide communications blackout. Communications through mobile and landline phones and internet access are significantly limited. Foreign news correspondents are banned from entering the country and news is heavily monitored. Syrian journalists who act against the government are tortured or, worse, end up dead.

7. Eritrea

Situated above the Horn of Africa, Eritrea has been ruled by President Isaias Afewerki, who came to power in 1993. The President and his government have full control of the media in the country, with their agencies having total control of the news and who writes the news. Nothing gets published or broadcasted without the approval of the President's Office. Religion is also controlled. No one is allowed to perform public worship and one has to apply as a member to a certain sect before they can be allowed to practice their faith.

6. Equatorial Guinea

In Equatorial Guinea, people are discouraged from learning how to read and write. There are no bookstores or newsstands in the country. Tourism is also low as foreigners are normally not allowed to enter the country. The government, which is ran by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo since a coup installed him in 1973, controls the TV and radio stations. Foreigners who are allowed to enter Equatorial Guinea are closely monitored and prohibited from filming scenes and conditions that portray poverty.

5. Saudi Arabia

While Saudi Arabia has recently took down their curtains and huddled with the rest of the world, the country is still deeply rooted in laws that stemmed from religion and tradition. Social laws, which mostly apply to women, are stern. For example, women are not allowed to drive or be with a man who is not a relative or go out in public in casual clothes. Internet access is restricted and media outlets are closely watched. Senior editors can get fired and arrested if they allow to publish or broadcast any content that says something negative about the government.

4. Cuba

Home to Cuban cigars and the late Fidel Castro, Cuba is mainly projected as a top holiday destination in the world. But behind its paradise beaches and hip-moving Latin music, Cuba is still a communist country and those who speak out against the government are always in trouble. Internet is screened regularly and writers who post anti-government sentiments will likely face jail time if they get arrested. Cubans know how to party and they know their alcohol. But playing Reggaeton is a big no-no.

3. China

China is a booming economy that can take the world by storm. With China being open to other nations, it has projected a very positive image amidst territorial rows with its neighbors. But one should understand that China is still a communist country and that means no one should ever cross the government, ever. Anti-government propaganda is immediately traced and those responsible are silenced. It is a crime to instill Western thoughts and influences in the minds of the Chinese youth. Media is controlled. So is access to the internet. Nobody is allowed to discuss topics that pertain to rebellion, change, reform, and most specifically, the Tiananmen Protests of 1989.

2. Japan

Many believe that the feudal system that once was in place in Japan a long time ago had significant influences on how the modern Japanese government does its business. The hierarchy of authority is prevalent in almost all structures, in the household, school, office, and the workplace. Everybody respects the one who is higher than him. Japanese companies also adhere to strict working policies and all employees, from the CEO down to the lowly staff, are expected to perform and excel in their designations. Talking about World War II and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is prohibited.

1. Singapore

Singapore may be small, but the government's firm implementation of their rules and policies on locals and tourists alike are notches higher compared to other countries in this list. Any wrong move will cost someone a fine. Spitting in public has a fine. Smoking in public will get you in serious trouble. Wearing the wrong dress when going out will land you in jail. And those are just petty violations. One can only imagine how stringent the Singaporean government is when dealing with serious crimes. But this very solid adherence to the rules makes Singapore a world-class economy with standards of living rated higher than most advanced European nations.

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10 Countries With The Strictest Laws In The World - Financesonline.com

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Discipline and strict enforcement of the policies and the laws of the land may be seen as harsh implementations by many but viewed as a necessary tool by others. Some say that overflowing strictness borders on oppression and this often leads to resentment of the people.

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People from nearly every country share information with CIA, and new individuals contact us daily. If you have information you think might interest CIA due to our foreign intelligence collection mission, there are many ways to reach us.

If you know of an imminent threat to a location inside the U.S., immediately contact your local law enforcement orFBI Field Office. For threats outside the U.S., contact CIA or go to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and ask for the information to be passed to a U.S. official. Please know, CIA does not engage in law enforcement.

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Third Party: Have someone you trust travel to a less restrictive environment and deliver the information via one of the above methods.

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People from nearly every country share information with CIA, and new individuals contact us daily. If you have information you think might interest CIA due to our foreign intelligence collection mission, there are many ways to reach us. If you know of an imminent threat to a location inside the U.S., immediately contact your local law enforcement orFBI Field Office .

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Look at the list 3/4 down on the page.

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International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world.

"Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"Millions of people are suffering enormously at the hands of states and armed groups, while governments are shamelessly painting the protection of human rights as a threat to security, law and order or national 'values.'"
Human rights under threat globally
Amnesty International is warning of an insidious and creeping trend undermining human rights which has come from governments deliberately attacking, underfunding or neglecting institutions that have been set up to help protect our rights.

"Not only are our rights under threat, so are the laws and the system that protect them. More than 70 years of hard work and human progress lies at risk," said Salil Shetty.

The United Nations' human rights bodies, the International Criminal Court, and regional mechanisms such as the Council of Europe and the Inter American Human Rights system, are being undermined by governments attempting to evade oversight of their domestic records.

Amnesty International is calling on governments to politically support and fully fund systems that exist to uphold international law and to protect people's rights.
Rights under threat on a national level
Amnesty International has documented how many governments have brazenly broken international law in 2015 in their national contexts: more than 98 states tortured or otherwise ill-treated people and 30 or more illegally forced refugees to return to countries where they would be in danger. In at least 18 countries, war crimes or other violations of the "laws of war" were committed by governments or armed groups.

Amnesty International is also warning of a worrying trend among governments increasingly targeting and attacking activists, lawyers and others who work to defend human rights.

"Instead of recognizing the crucial role these people play in society, many governments have deliberately set out to strangle criticism in their country. They have broken their own laws in their crackdowns against citizens," said Salil Shetty.

Amnesty International says this has partly been down to the reaction of many governments to evolving security threats in 2015.

"The misguided reaction of many governments to national security threats has been the crushing of civil society, the right to privacy and the right to free speech; and outright attempts to make human rights dirty words, packaging them in opposition to national security, law and order and 'national values'. Governments have even broken their own laws in this way," said Salil Shetty.
UN in desperate need of reinvigoration
The United Nations and its offices for protecting human rights and refugees have suffered severely from the hostility and neglect of recalcitrant governments in 2015.

"The UN was set up to 'save succeeding generations from the scourge of war' and to 'reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights' but it is more vulnerable than it ever has been in the face of enormous challenges," said Salil Shetty.

Many governments have wilfully thwarted UN action to prevent mass atrocities or hold to account their perpetrators, and rejected or poured scorn on its recommendations to improve human rights nationally.
The Syrian conflict is one horrific example of the catastrophic human consequences of a systemic failure of the UN to fulfil its vital role in upholding rights and international law and ensuring accountability.
The incoming UN Secretary General, who will be elected later this year and who will take up the post in January 2017, will inherit an organization that has achieved much but is in desperate need of reinvigoration, Amnesty International says. The organization is calling for UN member states and the UN Security Council to show brave new thinking in moving towards reform, starting with the process by which it elects a new Secretary General.

"UN member states have an historic opportunity this year to reinvigorate the organization by supporting a strong candidate for Secretary General with the commitment, personal fortitude and vision needed to push back against any states bent on undermining human rights at home and internationally," said Salil Shetty.

To achieve this, Amnesty International says the election process must be fair and transparent and ensure that the views of candidates on the major human rights challenges facing the UN are known and understood.
Call to action
"The world today is facing many challenges which, at their source, have been created or prolonged by governments who have played politics with people's lives. Refugees are suffering in their millions as conflicts proliferate, and armed groups deliberately attack civilians and commit other grave abuses," said Salil Shetty.

"It is within world leaders' power to prevent these crises from spiralling further out of control. Governments must halt their assault on our rights and strengthen the defences the world has put in place to protect them. Human rights are a necessity, not an accessory; and the stakes for humankind have never been higher."
Background
Amnesty International has documented grave violations of economic and social and political and civil rights in 2015 in many countries.

Examples of national attacks on human rights and the institutions which are there to protect them include, but are by no means limited, to:

Angola: using defamation laws and state security legislation to harass, arrest and detain those peacefully expressing their views; and publicly snubbing UN recommendations on its rights record.

Burundi: systematic killings and other widespread violent tactics by the security forces; and efforts to suppress the human rights community in the country.

China: escalating crackdown against human rights defenders and a series of sweeping laws in the name of 'national security'.

Egypt: the arrest of thousands, including peaceful critics, in a ruthless crackdown in the name of national security, the prolonged detention of hundreds without charge or trial and the sentencing of hundreds of others to death.

Hungary: sealing off its borders to thousands of refugees in dire need; and obstructing collective regional attempts to help them.

Israel: maintaining its military blockade of Gaza and therefore collective punishment of the 1.8 million inhabitants there, as well as failing, like Palestine, to comply with a UN call to conduct credible investigations into war crimes committed during the 2014 Gaza conflict.

Gambia: torture, enforced disappearances and the criminalization of LGBTI people; and utter refusal to co-operate with the UN and regional human rights mechanisms on issues including freedom of expression, enforced disappearance and the death penalty.

Kenya: extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and discrimination against refugees in its counter-terrorism operations; and attempts to undermine the International Criminal Court and its ability to pursue justice.

Mexico: grave record of human rights abuses including 27,000 disappeared; and its harsh response to UN criticism of the widespread use of torture, enabling almost complete impunity despite increased complaints.

Pakistan: the severe human rights failings of its response to the horrific Peshawar school massacre including its relentless use of the death penalty; and its policy on international NGOs giving authorities the power to monitor them and close them down if they are considered to be "against the interests" of the country.

Pakistan: the severe human rights failings of its response to the horrific Peshawar school massacre including its relentless use of the death penalty; and its policy on international NGOs giving authorities the power to monitor them and close them down if they are considered to be "against the interests" of the country.

Russia: repressive use of vague national security and anti-extremism legislation and its concerted attempts to silence civil society in the country; its shameful refusal to acknowledge civilian killings in Syria and its callous moves to block Security Council action on Syria.

Saudi Arabia: brutally cracking down on those who dared to advocate reform or criticize the authorities; and committing war crimes in the bombing campaign it led in Yemen while obstructing the establishment of a UN-led inquiry into violations by all sides in the conflict.

Slovakia: widespread discrimination against Roma remained despite years of efforts by national and regional groups, resulting in the European Commission having to resort to infringement proceedings against the country.

Syria: killing thousands of civilians in direct and indiscriminate attacks with barrel bombs and other weaponry and through acts of torture in detention; and enforcing lengthy sieges of civilian areas, blocking international aid from reaching starving civilians.

Thailand: arresting peaceful critics for activities including staging plays, posting Facebook comments and displaying graffiti; and the military authorities' dismissal of international calls not to extend its own powers to excessively restrict rights and silence dissent in the name of "security."

UK: continued use of mass surveillance in the name of countering terrorism; and its regressive attempts to evade oversight by the European Court of Human Rights.

USA: the continuing operation of the Guantanamo detention centre, an example of the grave consequences of its ̈global war on terror"; and its failure to prosecute those responsible for torture and enforced disappearances.

Venezuela: continuing lack of justice in cases of grave human rights violations and constant attacks against human rights defenders; and its continuing denunciation of the American Convention of Human Rights following its earlier withdrawal from the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, denying victims of violations access to justice.

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Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International - Amnesty International USA

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International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world.

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Choose your country from the drop down menu.

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Our annual review of human rights around the globe

World Report 2019 is Human Rights Watch's 29th annual review of human rights practices around the globe. It summarizes key human rights issues in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, drawing on events from late 2017 through November 2018.

In his keynote essay, "World's Autocrats Face Rising Resistance," Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth argues that while autocrats and rights abusers often captured headlines in 2018, rights defenders pushed back and gained strength in unexpected ways.

The 674-page book reflects extensive investigative work that Human Rights Watch staff undertook in 2018, usually in close partnership with human rights activists and groups in the country in question. It also reflects the work of our advocacy team, which monitors policy developments and strives to persuade governments and international institutions to curb abuses and promote human rights.

Download the easy-to-read version of the keynote essay

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World Report 2019 is Human Rights Watch's 29th annual review of human rights practices around the globe. It summarizes key human rights issues in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, drawing on events from late 2017 through November 2018.

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Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in 90 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice

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Video of the aspects of culture (3:22)

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Short description of the concept

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Video (4 min)

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Facts about every country

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Ignore the science title!

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Fun Facts about Countries

Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

Have fun reading about animals in Australia, rivers in China, rainforests in Brazil, culture in Japan, business in Germany, history in South Africa and much more.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a multi-cultural country full of amazing foods, artworks, people and wildlife.

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Fun Country Facts for Kids - Interesting Trivia & Information

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Fun Facts about Countries Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

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Basic Information (unless I pay).

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Countries in Central America: Discover Countries in Central America - CountryReports

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I recommend "Basic" and "Detailed"

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Countries of the World - (c) Etudiants du Monde / Students of the World Cultural information, photos and statistics about all countries of the world : maps, flags, mottoes, national anthems, country codes (IPU, ISO, Olympic, cars' license plates), currencies (change, ISO codes), phone prefix, time differences / GMT, areas (countries, water, forests, lands under cultivation, wild pastures), minimal & maximal heights, population distribution (urban agglomerations, cities), people density, towns, climate (average monthly temperatures, rainfalls), products (individual consumption & world ranks, natural resources, industry, services), records (highest mountains & waterfalls, deepest lakes, rivers, climate, longest or largest buildings, human records), photos galleries

Countries of the World - geopolitical, cultural & tourist information about all countries of the world

Selection through interactive maps:

Since 2001, December 6

home = www.StudentsOfTheWorld.info

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Countries of the World : geography, tourism, politics, economy, culture

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Countries of the World - (c) Etudiants du Monde / Students of the World Cultural information, photos and statistics about all countries of the world : maps, flags, mottoes, national anthems, country codes (IPU, ISO, Olympic, cars' license plates), currencies (change, ISO codes), phone prefix, time differences / GMT, areas

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Includes history

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Without the Nile River, all of Egypt would be desert.

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5-Minute Video

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Travel tips and country facts by Datacube

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Interesting Facts about Germany for Kids – Discovering European Countries (Educational Top 5)

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There are so many things to know about Germany, one of the most popular and developed counties in Europe, especially about the travel destinations and national customs of this country. This short but educational video focuses on some of the most unusual things both children and adults should know about remember about the Germans.

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A brief History (National Geographic)

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PEOPLE & CULTURE

Most of the population lives in the city and one third of all Jamaicans live in the capital of Kingston. More than 90 percent of the population is of African descent, but many other people have come from China, India, Germany, and Syria to find work on the island. Jamaica's motto is "Out of Many, One People."

When most people think of Jamaica they think of Reggae, or "Ragged Music." The music was born in the 1950s and '60s from the musical styles of mento, ska, and rocksteady. The most famous reggae star was Bob Marley, who was backed by his group the Wailers. Other famous reggae stars include Desmond Dekkar, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear.

Jamaicans are spiritual people and follow many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam. Many are Rastafarians, followers of a Christian-based faith, which grew out of a civil rights movement in the 1930s.

Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1974, was their savior. Rasta men wear their hair in dreadlocks, believing that hair should not be cut, and wear clothing in red, gold, and green-the colors of the Ethiopian flag.

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PEOPLE & CULTURE Most of the population lives in the city and one third of all Jamaicans live in the capital of Kingston. More than 90 percent of the population is of African descent, but many other people have come from China, India, Germany, and Syria to find work on the island.

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Geog. and more

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Kids learn about the Geography of Zambia. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population.