Have you ever wondered which U.S. states resemble countries more closely than others? The Country – US State Comparisons are designed to quantify just that — measuring how similar each U.S. state is to different countries around the world relative to the United States. This index provides a data-driven way to make those comparisons. It equally weights five major factors: demographics, culture, politics, technology, and geography. Over 1,000 different data points are used to generate the results.
Top 10 Countries More Similar to Connecticut than the US
Most of the countries that resemble Connecticut are located in Northern Europe. Not only does Northern Europe have a similar climate to Connecticut, but it also shares many of the same social, economic, and infrastructural characteristics.
- Belgium and Connecticut are both small and densely populated. Furthermore, their climates are extremely similar. They also lean left on social issues, favoring subsidized healthcare, environmental regulation, LGBTQ+ rights, and secular governance. Belgium is one of the wealthiest nations in Europe and Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states.
- Slovenia is the only country in the top 5 that borders the Mediterranean. Connecticut and Slovenia are both mountainous and have a lot of forested land. In addition, their farms tend to grow corn. Both places have well-developed infrastructure and feature high standards of living. They have ski resorts and many winter Olympians as well.
- Luxembourg boasts one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world, while Connecticut has one of the highest GDPs in the United States. Although Luxembourg is landlocked, their climates and landscapes are otherwise very similar. Both of their economies are in part based on the financial and insurance sectors. They have high minimum wages too.
- Netherlands and Connecticut both highly urbanized nations that border the Atlantic Ocean. Both the Dutch and the early Puritans of Connecticut were heavily shaped by Calvinist traditions. These include an emphasis on hard work, frugality, discipline, and self-governance. They also rank highly in educational attainment as well.
- Germany, like Connecticut, is wealthy and highly developed. Both have strong financial sectors. They also share relatively high population densities, extensive forests, and temperate climates. Both have well-developed public transportation networks and emphasize social welfare programs, including subsidized healthcare. Their populations also tend to favor socially liberal policies.
- France, 7. Ireland, 8. Austria, 9. United Kingdom, 10. Czechia
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Connecticut than the US
The top 5 countries with less traits in common with Connecticut than the United States overall have more conservative governments and are also quite religious as well. In addition, their infrastructure is not well developed.
- Zimbabwe differs from Connecticut in its climate, demographics, and economic development. Its population is considerably more rural, and agriculture plays a much larger role in its economy. It also has a substantially lower GDP per capita and less developed infrastructure.
- Yemen has a much warmer and drier climate than Connecticut. It also has a predominantly Muslim population, and significantly less developed infrastructure. Ongoing political instability and conflict make its political and economic circumstances particularly different from those of Connecticut.
- Eswatini is a small, landlocked African country with a substantially lower GDP per capita than Connecticut. Its economy is more dependent on agriculture, while its political system is an absolute monarchy. Furthermore it is landlocked and has a much warmer climate.
- Samoa is a small island nation in the South Pacific with a tropical climate. Unlike Connecticut, it has a relatively small, rural population and an economy heavily dependent on agriculture and tourism. Its geography, infrastructure, and cultural traditions are also quite different.
- Afghanistan is vastly different from Connecticut in every major category. Afghanistan has a mountainous, landlocked geography, a mostly rural population, and a much lower standard of living. Its politics also contrasts sharply with those of Connecticut, since they are more conservative.
- Chad, 7. Iraq, 8. Saudi Arabia, 9. Kenya, 10. Vanuatu
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Connecticut than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.
Can you update the full country ranking to Mach version 2 please?