Discover the countries with the best healthcare in the world in 2026, based on the latest data from reputable organizations, including CEOWORLD Magazine, The Commonwealth Fund, WHO, and OECD.
Latest Global Rankings Reveal the Leading Countries for Healthcare
Healthcare systems vary widely from country to country, making it difficult to determine where the best healthcare in the world can be found.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, several organizations have undertaken the complex task of ranking healthcare systems worldwide, providing valuable insights into which countries lead the way in delivering exceptional care and which ones fall short.
We’ve compiled results from the most recent studies available in 2026 to give you a clearer picture of the global healthcare landscape. These rankings will help you compare healthcare systems across different nations, offering deeper insight into where you are most likely to receive top-tier medical treatment and where challenges remain.
Top Global Healthcare Rankings
Below is an overview of some of the most widely recognized global healthcare rankings and reports published by prominent organizations and institutions.
These rankings assess healthcare systems based on a range of criteria, including quality, accessibility, cost efficiency, health outcomes, and infrastructure, providing valuable insights into their performance on a global scale.
2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index
According to the 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, Taiwan once again ranks as the country with the best healthcare in the world, maintaining its top position with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) remain in second and third place, respectively.
The index ranks 110 countries based on key factors, including healthcare infrastructure, the competencies of healthcare professionals, annual per capita healthcare costs in USD, the availability of quality medicine, and government readiness to address health crises.
The top 20 countries with the best healthcare are:
Notably, the top ten includes three Asian countries and five European nations, highlighting the diverse ways healthcare systems are structured across the globe.
Taiwan, for instance, is known for its efficient single-payer system that provides universal coverage and emphasizes prevention.
South Korea ranks highly due to its use of advanced technology in healthcare and a strong national health insurance program.
Meanwhile, Australia’s ranking is supported by its excellent healthcare infrastructure and effective public health policies.
The Commonwealth Fund’s ‘Mirror, Mirror 2024’ Report
The Commonwealth Fund regularly ranks the best healthcare systems in the world. Its eighth and most recent edition, Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System compares the performance of healthcare systems across several countries, with a particular focus on how the U.S. system measures up.
The report evaluates 70 measures, grouped into five main areas of healthcare performance: access to care, care process, administrative efficiency, equity, and health outcomes.
It relies heavily on surveys conducted by the Commonwealth Fund in 2021, 2022, and 2023, which capture the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals who have firsthand experience with the system.
The report also includes insights from global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the OECD, and Our World in Data, as well as national health records and academic research.
According to the Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have the best healthcare systems. However, the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.
In stark contrast, the United States ranks last, with its healthcare system performing dramatically lower than the others.
*Sweden’s overall ranking calculation excludes the equity domain due to changes in Sweden’s privacy laws, which prevented income-related questions in recent international surveys, leading to its omission from this edition of Mirror, Mirror.
Notably, the U.S. has ranked last in every Mirror, Mirror report since 2006, marking eight consecutive years at the bottom despite its high levels of healthcare spending.
While the U.S. excels in areas like preventive services and patient safety, it consistently falls short in critical areas such as access to care, affordability, and health outcomes.
This persistent underperformance highlights the broader systemic issues within the U.S. healthcare system.
The Legatum Prosperity Index 2023
The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank, has also evaluated the world’s best healthcare destinations.
Its most recent report, The Legatum Prosperity Index 2023, includes a “Health Pillar” that ranks 167 countries based on the overall health of their societies and the accessibility of tools to maintain health, including healthcare services.
Of course, in most countries, you’ll need a travel insurance plan for short visits of up to one year or an international medical insurance plan for long-term medical coverage of a year or more to access these healthcare services.
According to the index, Singapore ranks first for healthcare, followed by Japan in second place and South Korea in third. In contrast, the United States ranks much lower, coming in at 69th place in this assessment.
What Countries Have the Best Healthcare in Europe?
According to the 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, the following countries rank among the 10 best in Europe for healthcare.
Top 10 European Countries for Healthcare
Sweden
Ireland
The Netherlands
Germany
Norway
Belgium
Switzerland
Austria
Czech Republic
Finland
These countries demonstrate strong healthcare performance across access, quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes, making them among the most reliable destinations for healthcare in Europe.
Notably, six of these countries – Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and Finland – also appear in other global rankings, such as the Mirror, Mirror 2024 report and the 2024 Best Countries rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
This consistency underscores their reputation for providing high-quality, accessible, and efficient healthcare across multiple evaluation frameworks.
While these European countries stand out for their comprehensive healthcare coverage, innovation, sustainability, and focus on preventive care, it’s essential to note that public healthcare in some countries may involve lengthy wait times for certain treatments or procedures.
Additionally, if you do not qualify for enrollment in a country’s public healthcare system, you may need to secure an international health insurance plan to cover your medical needs.
Private health insurance plans offer the advantage of shorter wait times, more treatment options, and access to high-quality care worldwide, making them an appealing choice for many.
The Best Global Health Insurance Plan for All Nationalities
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance highlights that, while many U.S. states have made progress, affordability remains a significant concern within the healthcare system.
The report also emphasizes ongoing public health challenges, including premature deaths from conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and drug overdoses, which continue to strain the healthcare system and overall health outcomes.
Visitors to the United States should be aware that they will need an international health plan to cover their medical expenses, as the U.S. does not have universal healthcare coverage.
States with the Best Healthcare Systems
According to the Scorecard, the states with the best healthcare systems excel in access to healthcare, quality, equity, and health outcomes.
These states consistently rank in the top 10 due to their strong healthcare infrastructure and positive health indicators:
Conversely, states with the lowest-rated healthcare systems often face significant challenges, including limited access to care, higher rates of uninsured residents, and poorer health outcomes.
These barriers contribute to significant disparities, which are reflected in lower scores:
According to the 2025 Scorecard, Mississippi ranks the lowest, followed by Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, highlighting the states with the most pressing healthcare issues.
The Best Travel Insurance Plans for Visitors to the US
If you are considering visiting a foreign country and are concerned about access to quality healthcare, an international travel medical insurance plan should be a priority.
These plans cover emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, repatriation, and other travel insurance benefits.
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
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Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
Notably, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo also appear in the bottom 20 countries in The Legatum Prosperity Index 2023, highlighting regions that face persistent healthcare and socio-economic challenges.
Explore the Best Health Insurance Plans for Expats
Explore our guides to the best health insurance options for international citizens and expats, based on the most popular destinations for people living abroad:
Sophie Pettit is Head of Content at ICI and brings extensive experience in content strategy and management within the expat and travel space. She has led major websites across Europe and Southeast Asia and creates content that inspires readers to explore with confidence.
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