What Are the Countries With the Best Healthcare?
Healthcare systems differ greatly by country and region, which makes it difficult to determine where the best healthcare in the world is. Fortunately, there are organizations that have assessed which country has the best healthcare (as well as the countries with the worst systems!).
In 2024, CEOWorld Magazine’s Health Care Index analyzed the overall quality of healthcare systems across various countries. The index considered factors such as healthcare infrastructure, competencies of healthcare professionals (including doctors, nursing staff, and other health workers), cost per capita in USD annually, availability of quality medicine, and government readiness. Italy, with a score of 72.15, ranked highest on the index, followed by Singapore at 67.22, and Iceland at 65.15. Other countries in the top ten included Hong Kong, Finland, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Monaco, and Norway. You can explore the full index report on CEOWorld Magazine’s website.
The Commonwealth Fund regularly ranks the best healthcare in the world. The United States has come in last in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2021.
You can read the full 2021 report here: Commonwealth Fund Report
Healthcare System Performance Ranking
Key findings: “The top-performing countries overall are Norway, the Netherlands, and Australia. The United States ranks last overall, despite spending far more of its gross domestic product on health care. The U.S. ranks last on access to care, administrative efficiency, equity, and health care outcomes, but second on measures of care process.”
Related
- Best International Health Insurance Companies
- Healthiest Countries to Live In
- Best Travel Insurance Companies
The Best Healthcare Systems in the World in 2024
The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank, has also evaluated where to find the best healthcare in the world. Its 2023 report includes a “Health pillar” that is based on how healthy a society is and whether people can access tools to maintain their health, including healthcare services. Of course, in most countries, you’ll need a travel insurance plan for short visits for up to one year or an international medical insurance plan if you want long-term medical coverage for a year or more to access these services.
What country has the best healthcare, according to this assessment? Singapore comes in at No. 1! Other countries with the best healthcare are listed below.
Best Healthcare in the World
- Singapore
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- China
- Israel
- Norway
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Finland
- Denmark
- Italy
- Belgium
- Malta
- France
- Australia
- Austria
- Ireland
- Slovenia
- New Zealand
- Spain
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Cyprus
- Costa Rica
- Thailand
- Canada
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Estonia
- Qatar
- Seychelles
- Portugal
- Greece
- Malaysia
- Kuwait
- Vietnam
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Sri Lanka
- Poland
- Uzbekistan
- Bahrain
- Chile
- Peru
- Croatia
- Turkmenistan
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Panama
- Iran
- Latvia
- Argentina
- Lithuania
- Belarus
- Turkey
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Bulgaria
- Albania
- Jamaica
- Armenia
- United States
- Algeria
- Mexico
- Romania
- Cabo Verde
- Macedonia
- Tajikistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
- Nicaragua
- Tunisia
- Serbia
- Mauritius
- Ecuador
- Brazil
- Russia
- Azerbaijan
- Morocco
- Indonesia
- Paraguay
- Dominican Republic
- Georgia
- Belize
- Cambodia
- Moldova
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Philippines
- Venezuela
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Jordan
- Ukraine
- Lebanon
- Montenegro
- Guatemala
Source: https://www.prosperity.com/rankings
Review: Travel Insurance Advice by Country
In addition to this list, we also researched the countries with the best healthcare for women.
What Country Has the Best Healthcare in Europe?
BAV Group, part of the global marketing company VMLY&R, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania surveyed 17,000 people around the globe, which confirmed Europe has some of the best public healthcare systems in the world. The countries with the best healthcare in Europe were Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, and Belgium.
Keep in mind that public healthcare in some European countries often comes with long wait times to receive care. And if you don’t qualify for enrollment in a country’s public healthcare system, you’ll need an international health insurance plan to be sure your medical needs will be covered. Private plans provide you with access to quality healthcare around the world, as well as offering shorter wait times and more choices in treatment.
Related: Insurance for Travel to Europe
Which U.S. States Have the Best Healthcare?
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2022 Scorecard on State Health System Performance reveals that affordability is an ongoing concern for healthcare in the United States. Premature deaths from heart disease, diabetes, and drug overdoses remain an ongoing problem. Visitors to the United States will need an international health plan to have their medical care covered.
States With the Best Healthcare Systems
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Washington
- Vermont
States With the Worst-Rated Healthcare Systems
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- Texas
- Missouri
Source: 2022 Scorecard on State Health System Performance
Related: Insurance for Travel to the USA
Which Countries Have the Worst Healthcare in the World?
According to the Legatum Prosperity Index, the following countries have the worst healthcare in the world. This list begins with the country with the worst healthcare system:
- Central African Republic
- South Sudan
- Chad
- Lesotho
- Somalia
- Sierra Leone
- Swaziland
- Liberia
- Guinea
- Angola
- Nigeria
- Equatorial Guinea
International Health Insurance Plans Abroad
When living abroad, ensure access to the best health care and coverage for your medical expenses.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Plan Details | View Brochure
Plan Details
Get a Quote
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
Plan Details | View Brochure
Plan Details
Get a Quote
Searching for the Best International Medical Insurance? Visit: Compare Global Medical Plans
Best International Health Plans Based on Where You Will Be Living
Guides to the best health insurance for international citizens or expatriates living in specific countries based on the top destination countries of people living abroad.
|
|
Read:
- Cost of Health Care in the USA
- Countries Offering Free or Universal Health Care
- Understanding South Africa’s Healthcare System
- India’s Healthcare System
Author: Joe Cronin, Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance. Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter.
