Universal Parade of Beauties: Country of the Year 2013

And the Country of the Year 2013 winner is...

... THE PHILIPPINES!

Last year Philippines lost the Country of the Year 2012 by only 20 points to the USA. This year Philippines won with an impressive margin between 1st place and 2nd place of 460 points, and sets a new record in the highest scores of any Country of the Year ever: 1210 points!

Lets have a look at the last movements in the ranking, after Miss International 2013, the last 'Big 7' pageant of 2013:

The top 5 still the same, with Philippines leading, followed by Venezuela, Spain, Brazil & France.
Ecuador goes up 1 place, finishing in 6th place. USA goes up 2 places, finishing in 7th, and Puerto Rico ends the year into the top 10, in the 8th place. All them made the semis in Miss International 2013.
The Netherlands, 1st runner-up in Miss International, goes up 10 places, and finishes the year in 15th place.
New Zealand, 2nd runner-up, goes up 20 places, and ends the year in the 26th place.
Colombia, by making the top 5 in Miss International, gets to the 20th place, going up 16 places.

Closer look at the ranking:

#1 Philippines: Philippines wins the Country of the Year 2013, after finishing in the 2nd place in 2012 and 2011. In an impressive performance of 3 crowns, 3 3rd runner-ups, and 1 Top 8 placing, they scored 1210 points, a new record!

#2 Venezuela: The South American powerhouse did an amazing job again, winning Miss Universe & Miss Earth, and also a Top 10 in Miss Grand International and a Top 20 in Miss Supranational. Venezuela won the Country of the Year for 3 consecutive times from 2009 to 2011, and last year, they were in 3rd place. Always in the top 3 of the Country of the Year since 2006.

#3 Spain: Spain has scored their best result in the Country of the Year since 1999, when they were 3rd as well. With an excellent 1st runner-up placement in Miss Universe, and a finalist spot in Miss World, the success was guaranteed. Spain also made the semis in Miss International and Miss Earth.

#4 Brazil: Brazil never disappoints. 4th runner-up placement in Miss Universe, finalist in Miss World, semifinalist in Miss International & Miss Supranational, and Top 10 in Miss Grand International. Brazil ends in 4th place, which is the same result they got in 2011.

#5 France: France got to the 5th place, mainly thanks to their 1st runner-up placement in Miss World, and a semifinalist spot in Miss Earth. This is their best result in the Country of the Year since 1998, when they were 4th.

#6 Ecuador: Ecuador is back. We almost forget about the country that won Miss International and Miss Earth in the same year (2011). This year, they reached the 2nd runner-up spot in Miss Universe, plus semifinalists in Miss International and Miss Grand International. This 6th place this year represents their best result in the Country of the Year to date. Well done!

#7 USA: USA won the Country of the Year last year, and they couldn't keep it this year, but still managed to stay in the top 10, thanks to their Top 10 & Top 20 in Miss universe and Miss World, plus semifinalists in Miss International, Miss Earth and Miss Grand International.

#8 Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico got into the top 10 by achieving great result in the 'minor pageants': They won Miss Grand International and ended up as 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental, but also, made it to the semis in Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Supranational. Puerto Rico won the Country of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and their best result in recent years was a 3rd place in 2011.

#9 Dominican Republic: This Caribbean country marked great result in the most important pageants: Top 10 in Miss Universe and Top 20 in Miss World, plus 1st runner-up in Miss Grand International. Their best result in the Country of the Year is a 2nd place in 2003, and their best result in recent years is a 5th place in 2009.

#10 Great Britain / England: Great Britain got Top 10 in Miss Universe, while England was Top 10 in Miss World and Top 15 in Miss Intercontinental. This is their best result in the Country of the Year since 1992, when they were 5th. The United Kingdom / England last won the Country of the Year in 1983.

Best by Continents:

COUNTRY OF EUROPE

1st SPAIN - 630 (3rd place in the Country of the Year 2013 ranking)
2nd France - 390 (5)
3rd Great Britain / England - 320 (10)
4th Ukraine - 270 (13)
5th Netherlands - 260 (15)

COUNTRY OF ASIA