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Qatar / General

Qatar ranks high in Asia in Global Soft Power Index 2025

Published: 17 Mar 2025 - 08:52 am | Last Updated: 17 Mar 2025 - 09:04 am
Prestigious ranking underscores Qatar’s growing influence on the world stage, reflecting its strategic investments in culture, diplomacy, and economic diversification.

Prestigious ranking underscores Qatar’s growing influence on the world stage, reflecting its strategic investments in culture, diplomacy, and economic diversification.

Victor Bolorunduro | The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: In another notable achievement, Qatar has secured the seventh position in Asia and the 22nd spot globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2025, a prestigious ranking compiled by Brand Finance, a leading international brand valuation consultancy.

This ranking underscores Qatar’s growing influence on the world stage, reflecting its strategic investments in culture, diplomacy, and economic diversification.

The Global Soft Power Index measures a nation’s ability to shape international perceptions and influence through non-coercive means, such as culture, governance, education, business appeal, and international relations. With a score of 54.5, Qatar’s rise in the 2025 rankings highlights its success in leveraging these elements to enhance its global reputation.

The Index looked at all 193 member states of the UN through a truly global survey of over 170,000 respondents across 100 markets on all inhabited continents. The survey is based on perceptions, which to those involved, reflect reality.

The United States tops the list with a score of 79.5, while China (72.8), the United Kingdom (72.4), Japan (71.5) and Germany (70.1) complete the top five on the list.

According to the report, Qatar’s climb to 22nd place globally is a testament to its positive image worldwide.

In Asia, Qatar’s seventh-place ranking places it among the continent’s soft power elite, trailing regional heavyweights like Japan, China, and South Korea but surpassing many of its Middle Eastern peers. 

The country’s score in the 2025 index reflects strong performances across multiple categories. Qatar has excelled in areas such as “Culture and Heritage,” bolstered by its hosting of high-profile international events, and “International Relations,” driven by its mediation efforts in global conflicts. The capital, Doha, has become a symbol of modernity, blending tradition with innovation—a narrative that resonates globally.

Qatar has positioned itself as a cultural hub through institutions like the Museum of Islamic Art and the Qatar National Library. Events like the Doha Film Festival and partnerships with global organisations have amplified its cultural influence, attracting artists, intellectuals, and tourists alike.

Beyond its energy wealth, Qatar has diversified its economy through initiatives like Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, and the Qatar Investment Authority, which manages billions in international assets.

These efforts have enhanced its reputation as a reliable and forward-thinking economic player.

Qatar’s role as a mediator in conflicts, such as ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East, has earned it respect as a neutral and pragmatic voice in international affairs.