LONDON – YouGov has released a list of ‘World’s Most Admired Men 2021’ and two Pakistanis have secured positions in the top 20.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has made re-entry in the chart as he has been ranked 17 among the most admired men of the world in 2021.
Pakistani human rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai has risen farthest in the ranks this year, climbing five places to 9th spot.
And it’s a no-brainer that Barack Obama retains his position as world’s most admired man in YouGov’s international survey, , having wrested the position from long-time incumbent Bill Gates last year.
Michelle Obama likewise holds on to her position as world’s most admired woman for the third year running.
In fact, the top three spots for each sex are unchanged since last year, with business tycoon and philanthropist Bill Gates remaining second among men, followed by Chinese premier Xi Jinping. Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie continues to be the world’s second-most admired woman, ahead of third placed British monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
YouGov is a British international Internet-based market research and data analytics firm headquartered in the United Kingdom.
This year’s study surveyed more than 42,000 people in 38 countries and territories to compile the list.
Among the men, Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has seen the greatest increase since last time, climbing four places from 11th to 7th – his highest rank to date. Despite this record placement, as well as his recent Ballon D’or win, Messi still lags behind Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo in 4th place (also Ronaldo’s best showing to date), said official blog.
Entertainers are more prominent in the female list, with 10 of the most admired women being actresses, singers or TV presenters (although some, like Emma Watson and Angelina Jolie, are also notable for their humanitarian work). By contrast, the list of most admired men contains more people from political, business and sporting backgrounds.
New additions to the top twenties this year include US president Joe Biden and his vice president Kamala Harris, Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Thai rapper Lisa (of Blackpink fame), and New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
This year’s rankings also see the re-entry into the top twenties of investor Warren Buffett, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Chinese actresses Liu Yifei and Yang Mi.
