United States

                 United States

The United States is the most powerful country in the world. It has the largest economy in the world, thanks in large part to its massive entertainment and media industry. The economy in California alone produces about $2.5 trillion. Assuming California was a country, that number would have made the California economy one of the top six in the world. Imagine that.

In terms of political influence, the US is unparalleled. A founding member of the United Nations, the US plays a huge role in almost all international issues, especially ones regarding global security. The US remains a powerhouse in the international community.

The US has the most powerful military in the world. It has the most modernized and sophisticated military weapon systems and possesses a huge number of nuclear warheads. And the US isn’t shy about showing its military power to the world, one reason why some countries often accuse the US of meddling with international affairs too much.

There is a very good chance that this list of the top 10 most powerful countries in the world will remain the same in 2020. One or two from the bottom-five countries might get replaced with a different country. But the top five countries are likely locks to hold their current position.