The US Effect: How far America influences society abroad
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America has accomplished something few nations ever have: It has become a cultural current, a tech trendsetter, and a lifestyle blueprint for millions of people all around the world. America's influence spreads through movies and music, television and tech, food and sports, shaping habits from Australia to Argentina and from India to Ireland. In some places, American influence runs so deep, it no longer feels imported — it’s simply part of everyday life, from routines to brand choices. So we crunched the data to find out: Which countries show the strongest signs of Americanization? Our 25-country analysis reveals the global reach of U.S. influence.
How We Measured Americanization
To move beyond assumptions, we developed a data-driven model to measure Americanization across the globe. We analyzed 25 countries using nine distinct indicators grouped into three core categories: cultural reach, technological and commercial presence, and language and lifestyle. These categories were designed to reflect the multifaceted influence of American culture, technology, and consumer habits worldwide.
Cultural Reach
Share of U.S. movies in national box office revenue
Presence of U.S. artists in local music charts
Tech & Business Presence
Market share of U.S. car brands
Share of Netflix subscribers
Share of iOS users
Language & Lifestyle
National English proficiency
Interest in American football (NFL search volume per capita)
Number of Starbucks and McDonald’s locations
Each indicator was assigned equal weight to generate a composite score for each country. The results reveal which nations exhibit the strongest cultural, digital, and commercial alignment with the United States.
The World’s Most Americanized Countries: Key Findings
American influence extends far beyond its borders — shaping playlists, lighting up phone screens, and filling lunch tables in cities across the globe.
Canada leads the ranking, an unsurprising result given its close geographic, economic, and cultural ties to the United States. American brands, media, and lifestyle trends are deeply embedded in Canadian life.
Norway and Singapore emerge as overachievers, ranking high despite their relatively small populations. Their strong digital engagement and enthusiasm for American pop culture amplify the reach of U.S. influence.
Japan embraces Hollywood and U.S. music, but holds tight to its own lifestyle and traditions, keeping Americanization at arm’s length in daily life.
The United Kingdom shares a language with the U.S., making cultural exchange seamless. However, British society blends American imports with its own rich traditions, whether in music, humor, or everyday habits.
Importantly, these rankings are not a measure of cultural value or authenticity. Rather, they highlight the extent to which American culture, technology, and consumer brands have become part of the global fabric — sometimes through intentional adoption, and other times because the world simply can’t resist a good burger and a binge-worthy series.
Canada: America’s Cultural Sibling
It comes as no surprise that Canada ranks first among the world’s most Americanized countries. Sharing the world’s longest border with the U.S. creates what is, in effect, a cultural open highway.
Ultimately, Canada embraces American influence in ways that feel distinctly its own. From music charts and movie screens to sports and digital platforms, Canadians have seamlessly woven American culture into everyday life. Few countries outside the U.S. reflect such a broad and enthusiastic adoption of American trends, brands, and entertainment.
“Hollywood films account for 85% of Canada’s box office revenue — one of the highest shares among all countries in this study. Meanwhile, U.S. television networks like NBC, ESPN, and CNN are widely available in Canadian homes, often broadcasting live or on the same day as in the U.S.
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Canada
“American artists dominate the airwaves and streaming charts, representing 58% of Canada’s top music hits — meaning nearly every other artist played on the radio hails from the U.S. At the moment, Taylor Swift reigns supreme across Canadian streaming platforms.
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Canada
“Canadians are also enthusiastic Netflix viewers, with more than 9 million subscribers. This translates to roughly one in four Canadians streaming U.S.-produced content as part of their daily media diet.
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Canada
“The NFL enjoys one of its strongest international fan bases in Canada, which ranks #1 globally in per capita search interest for “NFL” and “American football.” The league’s targeted marketing, consistent television coverage, and the countries’ shared cultural space have helped make football a fixture in Canadian sports culture. For many Canadians, Sunday football feels almost as familiar as it does south of the border.
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Canada
“Nearly 42% of all vehicles on Canadian roads come from U.S. manufacturers — a legacy of decades of cross-border automotive trade. American carmakers like Ford, GM, and Chrysler have long operated factories in Canada, producing vehicles for both domestic consumption and export. Shared driving habits, a strong car culture, and tightly integrated supply chains continue to bolster the popularity of American auto brands.”
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Canada
“Canada also boasts over 2,300 Starbucks locations, or about 6 stores per 100,000 people. Starbucks launched its first international outlet in Vancouver in 1987, illustrating just how quickly American coffee culture took root north of the border.
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Canada
1/6
Australia: American Culture Bridging the Ocean
Despite the vast geographic distance, Australia’s shared language and deep cultural affinity with the United States keep American influence close to home.
Though separated by oceans, American influence remains deeply embedded in Australia’s entertainment, sports, and digital culture — carried across the Pacific by shared language, historical ties, and a mutual appetite for pop culture.
“While Australia proudly supports its own major sports leagues — such as the Australian Football League (AFL) and rugby union — interest in American football has surged in recent years. Search volume data places Australia second only to Canada in NFL interest among countries outside the U.S., reflecting a growing enthusiasm for the sport.
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Australia
“Hollywood dominates Australian cinemas, with U.S. blockbusters accounting for 87% of the country’s box office revenue. Recent releases like Wicked and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning continue a longstanding trend of American productions drawing large Australian audiences. This underscores the enduring pull of U.S. entertainment across the Pacific.
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Australia
“Streaming behavior further illustrates Australia’s cultural connection to the U.S. Over one in four Australians subscribe to Netflix, supporting a major American company while consuming a steady stream of U.S.-produced content through popular series and films.
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Australia
“American artists also lead the charge on Australian music charts, comprising 58% of top hits. From pop to hip-hop, U.S. music resonates strongly with Australian listeners — making Australia home to the most Americanized music charts in the world.
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Australia
1/4
Norway: America’s Digital and Cultural Admirer
At first glance, Norway may seem an unlikely candidate for strong American influence, given its modest population and rich, distinct cultural heritage. Yet it ranks among the most Americanized countries in Europe, thanks to its advanced digital habits and deep enthusiasm for U.S. entertainment and technology.
In Norway, Americanization isn’t a matter of dominance — it’s a conscious alignment with values and products that resonate: innovation, accessibility, and global cultural fluency.
“A key enabler of this cultural connection is Norway’s strong English proficiency, which has opened the floodgates for American influence to flow freely. It facilitates the widespread consumption of U.S. media, technology, and consumer products, while also making American ideas and pop culture readily accessible to a broad Norwegian audience.
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Norway
“The appeal of America’s tech ecosystem reaches even the world’s most affluent nations, and Norway is a prime example. With high disposable income and some of the fastest internet speeds globally, Norwegians readily adopt American-made digital products. Approximately 56% of Norwegians use Apple devices, illustrating how U.S. innovation continues to shape digital life abroad. This trend reflects not only the popularity of American brands but also aligns with Norwegian values around privacy, design excellence, and seamless user experiences — areas where U.S. tech companies lead the way.
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Norway
1/2
Singapore: America’s Digital Powerhouse in Asia
Singapore may be small in size, but it stands tall as one of Asia’s strongest hubs of American influence — particularly in the digital and consumer landscape. As one of the most globally connected and technologically advanced cities in the region, Singapore provides fertile ground for U.S. culture, technology, and brands to thrive.
As a global business and innovation hub, Singapore is also home to the regional headquarters of numerous U.S. companies, reinforcing the country’s deep economic ties to American enterprise. In this vibrant city-state, American influence is more than surface-level — it’s embedded in how people work, connect, consume, and unwind.
“English fluency plays a central role in this cultural alignment. It has paved the way for American media, digital platforms, and ideas to become seamlessly integrated into everyday life. From Hollywood blockbusters to chart-topping pop music, Singapore’s affluent, urban population drives strong demand for premium American entertainment and services. Roughly 30% of Singaporeans subscribe to Netflix, and U.S. films account for 65% of national box office revenue — a clear indicator of America’s entertainment dominance.
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Singapore
“Despite being geographically comparable to New York City, Singapore boasts an impressive 125 Starbucks locations and 152 McDonald’s outlets, signaling just how deeply American brands are woven into the city-state’s lifestyle. These establishments have become more than just places to eat or drink: they are part of Singapore’s urban rhythm, shaping how people socialize, work, and relax. American fast food, in particular, has left a visible imprint on Singapore’s culinary landscape, blending with local flavors and modernizing dining habits in a city once centered around hawker centers and traditional cuisine.
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Singapore
1/2
Ireland: Where America’s Influence Comes Full Circle
Once a key source of immigrants who helped shape American culture, Ireland now finds itself influenced in return — by U.S. entertainment, technology, and global brands.
In Ireland, American influence feels both new and deeply familiar. It is a cultural exchange that has, in many ways, come full circle.
“American tech giants such as Google, Meta, and Apple maintain major operations in Ireland, embedding U.S. business culture into everyday life. These companies not only employ thousands of Irish workers but also transform urban landscapes, especially in Dublin, where American headquarters and campuses dominate the skyline. As a result, 39% of smartphones in Ireland run on iOS, a reflection of both Apple’s popularity and the broader digital influence of U.S. technology in Irish society.
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Ireland
“While Ireland proudly supports its own indigenous sports — Gaelic football and hurling — it stands out across Europe for its exceptional interest in American football. Search data reveals that Ireland leads all European nations in NFL-related searches, signaling a unique cultural curiosity. This enthusiasm can be traced back to deep historical and familial ties with the U.S., where Irish immigrants played a foundational role in shaping American sports fandom. Today, widespread English-language media access, regular U.S. sports coverage, and the global spectacle of events like the Super Bowl continue to expand the NFL’s presence in Irish households.
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Ireland
1/2
Mexico: America’s Neighbor, Partner, and Cultural Mirror
Few countries share a relationship with the United States as deep, multifaceted, and enduring as Mexico. Bound by geography, history, and economic interdependence, Mexico stands as one of the most Americanized nations in Latin America — both by proximity and cultural exchange.
Though political relations between Mexico and the U.S. may ebb and flow, cultural and economic connections remain resilient. From movies and music to sports and fast food, American influence continues to thrive south of the border— demonstrating how culture, commerce, and community remain deeply intertwined.
“Hollywood dominates Mexican theaters, with U.S. films accounting for 90% of box office revenue. From superhero franchises to blockbuster thrillers, American stories attract millions of moviegoers each year. While the country lies just across the border from the U.S., Mexico ranks as “Low” in the EF English Proficiency Index, meaning that dubbed versions of American films are often key to reaching mass audiences.
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Mexico
“In music, U.S. artists make up approximately 42% of Mexico’s top charts, shaping the sound of both radio and streaming services. Notably, artists like Bad Bunny — though Puerto Rican and primarily Spanish-speaking — are often counted within U.S. charts, exemplifying how American-based music industries blend with Latin markets. At the same time, Mexican regional music and Latin pop remain deeply rooted and widely popular, illustrating a dynamic cultural balance rather than one-sided influence.”
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Mexico
“American football is also gaining traction. While soccer remains Mexico’s national passion, the NFL has carved out a strong fanbase, regularly hosting games in Mexico City and ranking the country among its top international markets.
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Mexico
“In daily life, American brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks are now fixtures across Mexican cities. Yet these fast-food giants often adapt menus and flavors to suit local tastes, blending U.S. business models with Mexican cultural preferences.
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Mexico
1/4
Methodology and sources
This metric represents the estimated annual percentage of box office revenue generated by American-produced films in each country. It serves as an indicator of the cultural reach and popularity of U.S. cinema worldwide. Data was compiled from various industry sources and is available upon request.
This percentage measures the share of music consumption — through streaming, sales, or other channels — in each country that features American artists. A higher share indicates stronger audience engagement with U.S. music and artists. Data was sourced from local chart organizations and streaming platforms, and is available upon request.
This indicator reflects the proportion of each country’s automotive market held by American car manufacturers. It provides insight into the commercial success and consumer preference for U.S. vehicles abroad. Data was collected from various industry sources and is available upon request.
This metric shows the proportion of a country’s population subscribed to Netflix as of April 2025, adjusted for per capita comparison. It acts as a proxy for digital media consumption and the global reach of U.S.-based streaming services. Data was sourced from FlixPatrol.
This indicator represents the market share of Apple’s iOS operating system in each country, based on data from Statcounter as of April 2025. Statcounter analyzes over 5 billion monthly page views across 1.5 million websites to identify the operating systems used to access online content. This metric reflects active device usage rather than shipment volumes. Data was sourced from Statcounter.
Based on the EF English Proficiency Index, this measure evaluates English language skills across countries using standardized testing data. The index offers a comparative assessment of English proficiency among non-native speakers, serving as a proxy for linguistic accessibility to American media, products, and cultural content.
This metric aggregates search volumes (in thousands) for the terms “American Football” and “NFL” within each country, sourced from the search analytics platform Ahrefs. The combined search frequency serves as a proxy for public interest and engagement with American football culture, reflecting the sport’s reach and popularity in international markets.
Data on Starbucks locations were sourced from corporate reports detailing the total number of outlets in each country. To enable cross-country comparisons, these figures were standardized by national population size, producing a per capita metric. Data on McDonald's locations were similarly sourced from official corporate reports and normalized per capita to account for population differences across countries.
To develop a comprehensive and comparable ranking of Americanization, each indicator was first normalized — a statistical process that adjusts data from different scales to a common range. This standardization facilitates meaningful comparisons across diverse metrics.
In this study, normalization scaled each indicator to values between 0 and 100, ensuring equal contribution from all factors regardless of their original units or data ranges. Several criteria were specifically normalized on a per capita basis, including Netflix subscribers, search volume for American football, and the number of Starbucks and McDonald’s locations.
Finally, the normalized scores for all indicators were summed to produce an overall Americanization ranking for each country. This approach provides a balanced assessment of the degree to which U.S. cultural, technological, and commercial influences are integrated into daily life worldwide.
The rationale behind this methodology was to standardize diverse data sources and ensure comparability across countries, enabling a clear and interpretable measure of American influence on a global scale.