Americans' Favorite Countries

A 2026 Gallup survey provides an interesting snapshot of how Americans view countries around the world. The survey, conducted among U.S. adults in February 2026, found particularly strong favorable opinions of several countries, led by Japan and Italy.

Gallup notes that opinions of foreign countries are often influenced by diplomatic relationships, alliances, cultural connections, and changing international events.

Japan ranked first, with 85% of Americans viewing the country favorably and only 9% unfavorably. Italy followed closely at 84% favorable and 10% unfavorable. Japan's result is especially notable because its current favorability is among the highest Gallup has recorded since it began tracking the country in 1989.

Canada and Denmark shared third place, each receiving an 80% favorable rating. However, their unfavorable ratings differed: Canada stood at 15%, while Denmark was considerably lower at 10%.

Canada remains highly regarded by Americans despite experiencing a substantial decline from its previous rating. Gallup reported that Canada's favorability fell nine percentage points compared with the previous year, reaching its lowest level in the organization's long-running measurements.

France and the United Kingdom both received 76% favorable ratings, although France had a slightly lower unfavorable rating, at 17% compared with Britain's 18%. Germany followed with 75% favorable and 19% unfavorable. These results show that several major European countries continue to enjoy broadly positive images among Americans.

Further down the list, Mexico recorded 66% favorable and 32% unfavorable, while Ukraine received 63% favorable and 31% unfavorable. India rounded out the ten countries highlighted here, with 61% favorable and 30% unfavorable.

Overall, the figures demonstrate that Americans generally have positive opinions of these ten countries. The strongest ratings belong primarily to close U.S. allies and countries with significant cultural, economic, or historical connections to America.

At the same time, differences in unfavorable ratings show that a country's overall favorability can conceal more complicated public attitudes. These Gallup results therefore offer a useful snapshot of America's international image and the countries that Americans view most positively in 2026.