China Tops List of Most Disliked Countries in 2025; US and Russia Follow, India Ranks 10th

China’s position at the top of the list as the most disliked nation is no surprise to many geopolitical observers. While the country has experienced unprecedented economic growth and global expansion through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, it has simultaneously cultivated a reputation marked by aggression, repression, and secrecy.

At the heart of global disapproval lies China’s authoritarian governance model, which continues to stifle dissent, surveil its citizens, and suppress freedom of expression. The government’s treatment of the Uyghur Muslim population in Xinjiang — involving forced labor, detention camps, and indoctrination — has been labeled by several human rights groups as genocide. This alone has drastically damaged China’s image, especially in Western democracies.

Furthermore, China’s foreign policy has grown increasingly assertive, bordering on hostile. Its maritime claims over the South China Sea, its belligerent posture towards Taiwan, and its consistent territorial disputes with neighbors such as India, Japan, and the Philippines have painted it as a nation that threatens regional stability.

Add to this the opacity with which it handled the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the international community's skepticism of China's intentions becomes more understandable. Despite its soft power push through cultural diplomacy and infrastructure investments, China’s image problem remains severe and deeply entrenched.


Once viewed as the world’s beacon of freedom and democracy, the United States now finds itself in the second spot on the most disliked list — a dramatic shift reflective of how its foreign interventions and domestic contradictions have alienated large sections of the global population.

Internationally, the U.S. has been heavily criticized for its history of military invasions, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. Its involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and continued drone operations in sovereign territories have led to deep-seated resentment among many nations. These interventions are often perceived not as peacekeeping missions but as self-serving exercises in maintaining global dominance.

On the domestic front, the polarization of American society — visible in violent political clashes, racial unrest, and increasing extremism — has further dented the country’s image as a functional democracy. Incidents such as the January 6 Capitol riots, mass shootings, and police brutality have raised global eyebrows and cast doubt on America's moral authority.

America's aggressive diplomacy and “America First” policies, particularly under previous administrations, also contributed to a global sense of disillusionment. For many, the U.S. is no longer the idealized land of opportunity and liberty but a complex, divided power with declining credibility on human rights and global cooperation.


At number three is Russia, a country that has increasingly isolated itself through its military aggression and suppression of civil liberties. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, initiated in 2022, continues to define Russia’s global reputation in 2025. Despite international sanctions, condemnation, and diplomatic isolation, the Kremlin remains unrepentant, using propaganda and state-controlled media to justify its actions.

The war has not only resulted in massive civilian casualties and displacement but also symbolized a broader struggle between authoritarianism and democracy. Russia’s disregard for international law and sovereignty has alarmed even its erstwhile partners. Moreover, its support for repressive regimes in places like Syria and Venezuela has compounded negative sentiments.

Domestically, the Russian government’s clampdown on free speech, jailing of opposition figures, and crackdown on protests present a grim picture. For many across the globe, Russia has transformed into a cold war relic, obsessed with power projection and indifferent to the human cost.


India’s position at number ten is both unexpected and telling. As the world’s largest democracy and one of the fastest-growing major economies, India has enjoyed a generally positive international image — one associated with culture, diversity, and innovation. However, recent developments have triggered concerns that are beginning to overshadow its strengths.

Critics cite the rise of Hindu nationalism, especially under the current political leadership, as a key factor in India’s declining global perception. The implementation of laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as well as widespread incidents of religious intolerance, have sparked international concern about the erosion of secularism in Indian society.

Press freedom in India has also come under fire. According to international watchdogs, the environment for journalists is becoming increasingly hostile, with raids on media houses, arrests of dissenting voices, and allegations of surveillance. These incidents have raised red flags about democratic backsliding.

Additionally, India’s handling of protests — whether related to farmers, students, or minority rights — has been criticized for its use of force and suppression of dissent. While India remains an indispensable player in the geopolitical sphere, its internal challenges are beginning to reflect externally.

Global perception is often seen as intangible and subjective — but in the digital age, it can have tangible impacts on foreign policy, trade, tourism, diplomacy, and even domestic morale. A negative image can undermine a nation’s soft power, strain international alliances, and provide ammunition for adversaries.

In this light, the 2025 World Population Review survey acts as a mirror — one that reflects not just what countries are, but how the world sees them. While economic statistics and military might can portray strength, reputation determines trust, and trust determines cooperation, influence, and legacy.

For China, the label of being the most disliked country suggests that no amount of investment abroad can offset domestic repression and aggressive diplomacy. For the United States, it signals that ideals must be matched with consistent actions. For Russia, it’s a stark confirmation of its pariah status in a post-invasion world. And for India, it’s a wake-up call that growth and democracy must walk hand in hand, or both risk collapsing under scrutiny.

Public perception is rarely static. It is shaped by narratives, amplified by media, and influenced by memory and morality. Countries that fail to control the narrative or dismiss moral scrutiny often find themselves at the receiving end of global disapproval.

China, for instance, has attempted to rewrite the narrative around Xinjiang, portraying internment camps as vocational training centers — a move few international observers have accepted. Russia uses tightly controlled state media to justify its war efforts. The U.S. often projects itself as a global moral authority, even when its foreign interventions tell a more self-serving story.

India, while a democratic country, is now grappling with accusations of suppressing dissent and undermining secularism — two values it was once globally praised for. These inconsistencies don’t go unnoticed in an age where a video clip can go viral worldwide in seconds.

Thus, the perception crisis many of these nations face is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate policies, ignored red flags, and an underestimation of global consciousness.

As per the World Population Review 2025 survey, the following are the top ten most disliked countries based on international perception data, public sentiment polling, and cross-national studies:

1. China – Authoritarianism, Uyghur genocide, censorship, and foreign aggression
2. United States – Military interventionism, domestic unrest, perceived hypocrisy
3. Russia – Ukraine invasion, political repression, global destabilization
4. North Korea – Totalitarianism, nuclear threats, human rights abuses
5. Iran – Religious extremism, repression, hostility to the West
6. Israel – Ongoing conflict with Palestine, settlements, regional tension
7. Pakistan – Alleged support for terrorism, instability, blasphemy laws
8. Saudi Arabia – Human rights issues, gender restrictions, authoritarianism
9. Turkey – Political purges, crackdown on media, regional interference
10. India – Rising nationalism, religious tensions, press freedom concerns

The survey results from 2025 reflect a paradigm shift. In a world more interconnected and opinionated than ever before, a nation's global standing is increasingly judged not just by its economic output or military capability, but by its values, transparency, and ethical behavior.

Countries now operate under global moral surveillance. Every policy, protest, and political move is examined under the microscope of public opinion, social media virality, and international law.

As the most disliked countries reassess their global reputations, they must ask themselves: Is power enough without trust? Is development enough without justice? Is growth enough without liberty?

Because in the end, it’s not just about being a superpower — it’s about being a respected and responsible one.