Britain has been beaten into second place by a BBC World Service poll seeking to elicit which is the most popular nation in the world.

The country rating poll saw Germany scoop top honours with a 62% approval rating, four points up on Britain’s 58%, which saw it ranked second.

Some 29,000 people worldwide contributed to the straw poll, rating the positive and negative influence of 16 major nations.

Of the 27 countries polled 24 were positive toward Britain, with only two (Pakistan and Mexico) harbouring negative attitudes toward the country.

Those states with strong links to Britain held the most favourable perceptions of Britain with 80% of Americans, 79% of Australians and 70% of Canadians holding positive of the UK.

A spokesman for Globescan, the pollsters behind the analysis, said: “Aside from last year’s slump, for the UK the aftermath of Iraq is receding. It’s our role on the world stage. We were seen to play a prominent role in the aftermath of the financial crisis. We are high profile as a successful, democratic, stable, developed country with relatively little baggage.

“In terms of lifestyle and its high-quality products, Germany has a successful image and doesn’t have the baggage that countries like the US and China have, which can be seen as culturally controversial.”