The number of people who see Brazil as having a positive influence in the world is rising rapidly, according to a BBC World Service poll of 27 countries.
The country is regarded positively by 49%, compared with 40% last year – the largest jump by any of the 16 nations respondents are asked to comment on.
South Africa, host of the 2010 World Cup, posted the second biggest rise.
Germany remained the most popular country, while the image of the US improved for the fourth year in a row.
The UK achieved the second highest positive rating, continuing a steady rise in its fortunes since 2006.
More than 28,000 people across the world were interviewed between December 2010 and February 2011 by international polling firm GlobeScan and the Program on International Policy Attitudes (Pipa) at the University of Maryland.
“The growing credibility of middle powers is the story this year, especially Brazil and South Africa,” said GlobeScan chairman Doug Miller.
“The jump in positive views of Brazil follows the successful democratic transition from President [Luiz Inacio] Lula da Silva to Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president.”
