by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 10:20 AM ET, Thu March 19, 2026
A new global study from Remitly has ranked Canada as the second most polite country in the world, based on perceptions from more than 4,600 people across 26 countries.
So who took the top spot?
Japan.
More than a third of respondents (35.15%) named Japan as the most polite nation globally, far ahead of Canada, which earned 13.35% of the vote. The United Kingdom rounded out the top three.
Polite and Proud of it
In a separate ranking within the same study, Canada claimed the top spot as the friendliest country in the world, with 10.5% of respondents choosing it over all others.
The study itself focused on perception, asking participants to name the countries they believe are home to the most polite people, based on personal experience and global impressions.
“The country has a longstanding reputation for politeness and friendliness, and its citizens are often jokingly portrayed as apologizing for things beyond their control,” the report notes.
Sorry. Not sorry.
The world’s top 15 most polite nations (Photo Credit: Remitly)
The Company We Keep
Rounding out the top five most polite nations are Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, China and Germany - a mix of cultures where politeness takes different forms, from formal etiquette to direct but respectful communication.
Global Perception Gap
Interestingly, the study also found a disconnect between how countries are viewed and how they see themselves.
Japan, despite topping the global politeness ranking, ranked near the bottom when residents rated their own politeness.
"What stood out in our research is the gap between how nations see themselves and how the rest of the world sees them. Japan, for example, is widely viewed as the most polite country globally, yet its residents rate themselves among the least polite. That contrast highlights how cultural values like humility can shape self-perception," said Ryan Riley, VP Marketing at Remitly.
The top 10 countries with the highest self-perception of politeness (Photo Credit: Remitly)
The study also highlights that politeness isn’t one-size-fits-all.
In Japan, it’s rooted in tradition, expressed through bowing, respect, and a language built on honorifics. In Germany, it’s often reflected in direct communication paired with respect for others’ time and space.
Those cultural differences help explain why perception doesn’t always match self-perception.
The world’s top 15 friendliest nations (Photo Credit: Remitly)
Why it Matters
For travellers, those everyday interactions can make all the difference.
“Small acts of courtesy, whether that’s patience over a language barrier, or giving up a seat on public transport, can have a real impact,” said Riley.
Canada may not have taken the top spot, but when it comes to global reputation, being both one of the most polite and the friendliest countries in the world isn’t a bad place to land.
To view the full data from the study visit: https://www.remitly.com/jp/en/landing/worlds-politest-countries
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