UK drops in Good Country Index ratings for second year running, slipping below Ireland

The UK has slipped in the global ranks of the Good Country Index for the second year in a row.

Britain dropped from seventh to eighth place in the index, which measures how much countries contribute to the “common good of humanity”.

It has now fallen below Ireland, which came seventh and was rated first for its contribution to international prosperity and equality, and second for its contribution to international health and wellbeing.

Using 35 separate indicators - sourced from the United Nations, World Bank and other international organisations - the survey examined the good each country does for humanity as well as what it takes away.

Britain was ranked fourth in 2016 but has dropped twice since then and lost its previous top place in the science and technology category.

The Netherlands was ranked first overall, followed by Switzerland and Denmark, while Afghanistan came last out of 163 countries.

Simon Anholt, the creator of the Good Country Index, said a successful country is one that "contributes to the good of humanity".

"Of course it must serve the interests of its own people, but never at the expense of other populations or our shared resources: this is the new law of human survival, and it's a balance which is far more easily maintained than many people imagine," he added.