Thekabarnews.com—New global polling data from Nira Data’s 2026 Democracy and Country Perception research shows that people now view Israel more negatively than any other country in the world.

The findings put Israel at the bottom of the Global Country Perceptions 2026 ranking. This ranking surveyed 46,667 respondents who rated the global perception of 129 countries and three international organizations.

The report said the countries viewed most negatively after Israel were North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran. The five countries viewed most positively in the survey were Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, and Italy.

The perception ranking was released along with Nira Data’s 2026 Democracy Perception Index. This is a survey of more than 94,000 respondents across 98 countries about how citizens experience democracy in their countries.

The new findings reflect Israel’s declining image abroad amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Additionally, there is increasing scrutiny from human rights groups and international bodies.

The survey came as international criticism grew over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the mass displacement of Palestinians. There are also allegations of starvation policies and a surge of violence in the occupied West Bank.

Several international legal and humanitarian bodies, including United Nations experts and international tribunals, have raised concerns about possible breaches of international law relating to the conflict.

The report also showed a big decline in views of the United States. The United States is now among the five most disliked countries in the world. International favorability ratings have fallen behind both Russia and China.

The U.S. net perception score dropped from +22 percent in 2024 to -16 percent in 2026. This is a dramatic 38-point drop in two years alone, the report said.

Observers partly attribute the decline to growing international criticism of President Donald Trump and his foreign policy decisions.

Tensions with NATO allies, punitive tariff policies, threats involving Greenland, reduced aid to Ukraine, and Washington’s role in the growing U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran have negatively affected global perceptions of the United States.

The survey also found that many respondents now see the United States as a leading threat to the world. It is perceived as an international risk, ranking just behind Russia and Israel.

The findings show how quickly global public opinion can change in the face of geopolitical conflicts and humanitarian crises.

In the modern world, the international perception is of increasing importance to diplomacy, tourism, trade relationships, and geopolitical influence.

For Israel and the United States, the new rankings suggest that military conflicts and controversial foreign policy decisions can have reputational repercussions far beyond domestic politics.

As wars, humanitarian crises, and global polarization increase, the international image itself is becoming an ever more decisive battleground in global politics.