Ireland has come out on top as the best place to invest in, in Western Europe, according to the annual Global Best-to-Invest Rankings, compiled by international magazine Site Selection.

Ireland lands top of the list for “Best-to-Invest” list followed by the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Dublin came out on top as a better bet, as an investment location over Frankfurt, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

Further east in Europe Hungary topped the list followed by Poland and Slovak Republic, while in Asia-Pacific Singapore was ranked number one, followed by Australia and Malaysia.

The Best-to-Invest rankings are determined by two factors. Firstly by LocationSelector-supplied analysis in business environment, business risks, foreign direct investment and infrastructure.

The rankings are also calculated by looking at new and expanded facilities announced in 2011 and tracked by Site Selection publisher Conway Data Inc's (CDI) New Plant Database.

The metros rankings were determined 40 percent by LocationSelector.com-supplied analysis in the areas of business environment, business risks, foreign direct investment, infrastructure, and accessibility, 20 percent on an unscientific survey of global site consultants, and 40pc on New Plant Database projects.