The 'most loved' Eurovision country has been revealed

Each nation's points have been added up!

Sam Ryder
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 5th May 2023
Last updated 5th May 2023

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is nearly upon us, with the Semi Finals taking place on 9th and 11th May and the Grand Final taking place on 13th May. Now, as we're just days away we thought it was rather appropriate to find out which country is the continent's 'most loved' when it comes to Eurovision songs.

Throughout the years that Eurovision has been around there have been some fantastic songs such as the UK winner Buck's Fizz with 'Making Your Mind Up', or Sweden's winner from ABBA in the shape of 'Waterloo'.

In 2022 alone, there were more than 161 million viewers tuning in to see the competition, which ended with Ukraine winning the crown, and the UK's Sam Ryder receiving a very respectable second place with 283 points. That gave Sam the third-highest jury vote score in Eurovision history.

Totting up the points handed out in each Eurovision final, the music and behavioural science experts at Startle have released the Top 5 most loved countries, and the UK is ranked pretty high up!

Startle

While here in the UK we do have an advantage, being part of the Big Five, that always get a place in the Grand Final, some other countries do particularly well, despite having to battle it out in the Semis.

Although they have never won the competition, Bulgaria has an impressive average, with Kristian Kostov receiving the highest score (615 points) ever for Bulgaria in 2017.

Whilst the UK has been competing since 1957, Ukraine are relative newcomers with just 19 performances under their belt, but a massive 17 appearances in the final, with Kalush Orchestra picking up the win in 2022.

Startle

This year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool, hosted by Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina. Eurovision favourite Graham Norton, will also join the line-up commentating, with Mel Giedoryc of Bake Off fame.

This year's UK contestant is Mae Muller performing her song 'I Wrote a Song'.

Take a look at some of the most watched Eurovision performances of all time:

10) Loreen - 'Tattoo'

Country: Sweden
Year: 2023
Views: 26m
Watch on YouTube here.

9) SunStroke Project & Olia Tira - 'Run Away'

Country: Moldova
Year: 2010
Views: 33m
Watch on YouTube here.

8) Conchita Wurst - 'Rise Like A Phoenix'

Country: Austria
Year: 2014
Views: 44m
Watch on YouTube here.

7) Eleni Foureira - 'Fuego'

Country: Cyprus
Year: 2018
Views: 48m
Watch on YouTube here.

6) Måns Zelmerlöw - 'Heroes'

Country: Sweden
Year: 2015
Views: 53m
Watch on YouTube here.

5) Lordi - 'Hard Rock Hallelujah'

Country: Cyprus
Year: 2006
Views: 54m
Watch on YouTube here.

4) Loreen - 'Euphoria'

Country: Sweden
Year: 2012
Views: 65m
Watch on YouTube here.

3) Alexander Rybak - 'Fairytale'

Country: Norway
Year: 2009
Views: 87m
Watch on YouTube here.

2) Måneskin - 'Zitti e buoni'

Country: Italy
Year: 2021
Views: 107m
Watch on YouTube here.

1) Netta - 'Toy'

Country: Israel
Year: 2018
Views: 174m
Watch on YouTube here.

Now read:

Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Everything we know so far

Who is Sam Ryder? Everything you need to know about the UK's Eurovision star

Mae Muller announced as UK's Eurovision 2023 entry

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