The ranking was first compiled in 2026.
The 2026 Responsible Nation Index (RNI) marks a paradigm shift in the assessment of a nation’s success. For decades, economic indicators such as GDP served as the sole criterion for progress. However, the RNI methodology, developed over three years of meticulous research, asserts that true leadership is determined by a country’s commitment to the interests of its citizens, care for the environment and responsibility towards the global community.
This index, launched on 19 January 2026 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, was the result of a collaboration between the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Mumbai. It is based on a methodology that combines data from the World Bank, UN agencies (WHO, ILO) and the World Justice Project to form a comprehensive indicator — the ‘accountability index’.
Work on this ranking took three years.
The compilers claim that this index serves as a kind of moral mirror for the world. It encourages the world’s largest economies to balance their colossal power with ethical responsibility. A high level of GDP does not guarantee high accountability scores, as evidenced by the fact that some G7 countries did not even make it into the top fifty of the ranking.
Singapore tops the ranking. Switzerland is in second place, and Denmark in third. Georgia is 10th, Germany 12th, France 17th and Italy 34th.
Why does Singapore take first place?
Singapore tops the ranking with a score of 0.6194. This city-state sets the global standard for ethical governance. Its ability to combine strong economic performance with virtually no corruption and world-class social services serves as a model for the future.
1st place: Public safety and law and order
1st place: Institutional effectiveness
Top category: Environmental innovation
The least accountable countries are South Sudan, Syria and the Central African Republic.
Romania is ranked 31st, Belarus 61st, the USA 66th, Turkey 94th, Russia 96th and Ukraine 131st.
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