Most Racist Countries in the World: A Global Look at Inequality

The following ranking is based on U.S. News & World Report analyses in collaboration with WPP’s BAV brand analytics tool and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Nearly 17,000 global participants were surveyed on 73 attributes across 89 countries, with racial equity as a key focus within the social purpose sub-ranking. These countries were ranked on racial equity based on associations made by respondents who agreed that diversity strengthens a country, highlighting nations with lower perceived racial inclusivity. Advertisement 1. Iran Iran ranks as the worst country for racial equity due to widespread discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, including the Baluchi, Kurdish and Ahwazi Arab communities. Despite constitutional promises of equal rights, minority groups face significant barriers in accessing quality education, employment and political representation, according to Amnesty International and the U.S. State Department. Reports highlight that minorities in Iran are disproportionately subjected to severe penalties, including the death penalty, for offenses linked to activism and dissent. Kurdish-language media faces restrictions, and Kurdish activists often face criminal prosecution, underscoring systemic inequities entrenched in Iranian governance. Additionally, discriminatory laws and societal biases create challenges in daily life, affecting everything from access to healthcare to freedom of expression, reflecting...