Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index

This index, published by a leading Australian thinktank, measures the size and reach of countries’ diplomatic networks. The latest version ranks the UK 11th out of 61 states - in 2016, the UK ranked ninth. According to this report in the FT, the UK Foreign Office "disputed the data, saying the UK had 278 overseas posts spanning 177 countries and territories and nine international organisations."