Survey finds PM Narendra Modi as most-admired Indian of 2019

He is the sixth most admired person in the world.

"Narendra Modi is the most admired man in India and sixth most admired in the world," read the YouGov website.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates remains the world’s most admired man, having topped the list every time YouGov has conducted the survey, it said.

As per the website, the whole top five men remain unchanged since last year. Former US president Barack Obama comes in second, and the third to fifth places are all occupied by Chinese figures: actor Jackie Chan in third, president Xi Jinping in fourth and businessman Jack Ma in fifth.

YouGov said this year the study expanded to cover the views of people in 41 countries – the most ever – with more than 42,000 people being interviewed to compile the list. 

Deepika Padukone retains her position at thirteen but Priyanka Chopra drops down two places to fourteen this year. Aishwarya Rai has fallen the furthest, down five places to the sixteenth, the survey said.

Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have also been named in the list.

As per the survey, only two new men join the top twenty this year, both Indian actors: Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan. 

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan moved down in the list from ninth to twelvth position.