Global Women’s Healthcare Index Reveals Top Countries
The results are in – Hologic’s Global Women’s Healthcare Index has ranked the best countries for women’s healthcare, providing invaluable insights for female travelers and expats. Compiled over a three-year period, this comprehensive report gathered feedback from over 147,000 women across more than 140 countries, highlighting the wide-ranging quality of women’s healthcare worldwide.
In some nations, reproductive options like contraception and fertility treatments are limited, while others excel in pre- and post-natal care, helping to maintain low maternal mortality rates. The availability and quality of preventive screenings, cancer treatments, and eldercare also vary greatly by country. Whether you’re planning a short visit or considering a long-term move, healthcare should be a top consideration for women choosing where to live or travel.
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Top 5 Countries for Women’s Healthcare
The medical technology company Hologic and Gallup launched a survey in 2020 to measure the state of global women’s healthcare.
The study gauges women’s general health, mental health, and preventative care. It also looks at fulfilling basic needs such as shelter, food, and clean water. In year 3 of the study, released in 2024, the overall score in the 2023 women’s healthcare index was 54 out of 100. No country scored higher than 72.
It’s worth noting that the United States is No. 30 on the most recent women’s healthcare index, scoring 61. American women may find better and more affordable healthcare overseas.
Unless otherwise noted, Hologic’s top five countries all offer fertility, contraceptive, and abortion care that places women at the center of their own choices. The top countries overall for women’s healthcare are as follows:
1. Taiwan
Taiwan has been at the top of Hologic’s health rankings since the beginning of the survey. With a high standard of living, excellent scores in global women’s healthcare, and quality health services that are accessible to everyone, Taiwan offers women who live there a healthy lifestyle and the best of care.
Taiwan’s national health insurance, funded by payroll premiums, provides universal health care. Covered services include primary care, specialty care, hospital stays, and mental healthcare. Out-of-pocket costs include copayments for clinic visits and the cost of prescription drugs.
Residents in Taiwan who have been in the country for longer than six months are required to join the national health insurance program. Before then, private insurance opens access to affordable care.
2. Kuwait
Kuwait came in second in Hologic’s rankings with a score of 68. The country has a well-funded public healthcare system. Foreigners often use private clinics, but Kuwaiti patients also go to these facilities to skip long wait times.
Women can access contraceptives in Kuwait, though there are still cultural hurdles when unmarried women want to do so.
Kuwait has more permissive abortion laws than most of the Middle East, though a woman’s husband has to give his permission. Terminating a pregnancy is allowed to preserve the mother’s health, and when a fetal diagnosis has revealed health issues.
3. Austria
Austria’s score of 67 places it among the best in Europe for the quality and affordability of women’s healthcare. Austrian women have an average life expectancy of 84, while men live to 80.
However, the country could do better in terms of breast cancer screenings, so try to be proactive about this if you move there.
Austria has a public healthcare system, but foreigners should also have insurance to handle out-of-pocket costs for care at clinics and hospitals.
Anyone who’s a legal resident in Austria can access national health insurance. However, international insurance is a good idea when you first move there, and these policies can cover you throughout Europe if you like to travel.
4. Germany
Like Austria, Germany also received a score of 67 from Hologic. And it’s no surprise that this European country was near the top of the list.
Germany’s healthcare system, which includes public and private health insurance options, is accessible to everyone, including foreigners.
Plus, a woman’s life expectancy in Germany is 83, so it makes sense that the country stands out in terms of elder care services.
5. Switzerland
Like the other top countries in women’s healthcare, Switzerland’s healthcare system is internationally recognized as one of the best in the world.
Residents who are legally working or living in the country need to sign up for at least basic healthcare coverage, though there are additional options for health insurance in Switzerland.
Switzerland’s life expectancy for women is now 86, and it’s another country with excellent eldercare services.
Leaders in International Women’s Healthcare by Category
The following categories cover the most important aspects of global healthcare for women at various stages of life. Different countries excel at factors such as preventive screenings, reproductive care, and eldercare.
We’ve researched the top five nations providing excellence in each category.
Preventive Services
It’s always better when you can stop a disease from developing or becoming more serious. These leaders in global women’s healthcare have high rates of screening for cervical cancer due to the national programs they’ve established.
They have also widely adopted the WHO’s recommended method of HPV-based screening.
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Spain
- France
The following countries have high rates of mammography screening to catch breast cancer. These figures from 2021 indicate the percentage of women who received this screening.
- Denmark: 83%
- Finland: 82%
- Sweden: 80%
- Portugal: 80% (in 2019)
- Slovenia: 77%
Access to Abortion and Contraception
Another key aspect of international women’s healthcare is the ability to choose if and when to become pregnant. In addition, many women want the option to terminate a pregnancy under certain circumstances.
These five countries offer easy access to contraception and abortion services.
- Canada: No law restricting abortion
- Netherlands: No restrictions on pre-viability abortion
- Singapore: Gestational limit of 24 weeks
- Sweden: Gestational limit of 18 weeks
- France: Gestational limit of 16 weeks
Assisted Reproductive Care
Many women turn to assisted reproductive technology to build a family. These countries are the best places to go for accessible and affordable fertility treatment, such as IVF and sperm and egg donation.
- Spain
- Czech Republic
- Greece
- Denmark
- Thailand
Maternal Health
Thinking you might give birth while living abroad? Quality prenatal and postnatal care improves maternal health outcomes in international women’s healthcare.
Before your due date, a healthcare provider will track things like weight and blood pressure. Your doctor might call for additional testing, such as ultrasounds or amniocentesis, depending on your condition.
These countries have the lowest lifetime risks of maternal death.
- Belarus: 1 in 65,000
- Norway: 1 in 43,000
- Poland: 1 in 37,000
- Spain: 1 in 28,000
- Malta: 1 in 25,000
Cancer Treatment
Cancer comes in many forms, but one type that strikes women more than men is breast cancer. When looking at five-year survival rates following a breast cancer diagnosis, the percentage of survivors is highest in these five countries.
- Cyprus: 90.6%
- United States of America: 88.6%
- Brazil: 87.4%
- Mauritius: 87.4%
- France: 86.9%
Eldercare Services
Women live longer than men, so having quality gerontology and elder care services is very important. These places are leaders in making sure your later years are as stress-free and healthy as possible:
- Sweden’s healthcare system incorporates social support measures
- Switzerland works to ensure the continuing quality of life for older people
- Germany is home to many specialized geriatric care facilities
- Japan has an older population and is at the forefront of geriatric medicine
- Canada strives to offer services that meet the needs of older patients
Get Excellent, Affordable Care Wherever You Go
It’s important to explore healthcare options in other countries before leaving home. Access to preventive care and treatment for illnesses and injuries is essential for any woman traveling or living abroad.
But in addition to knowing the best countries for women’s healthcare, women living internationally can benefit from global health insurance to help cover medical costs.
Insurance will make it easier for you to get any care you need to live a vibrant, healthy life. Our team would be delighted to help you find the right policy to cover the costs of needed healthcare plus unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. You deserve the best in international women’s healthcare!
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Sara Kettler is a seasoned freelance writer and Dartmouth graduate who has lived in Japan, France, the UK, and Australia. She shares insights on international relocation, including healthcare, culture, and local laws, helping readers navigate life abroad with ease.
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