Which Countries Provide The Best Healthcare?
A visit to France is on every traveler's list, and it is not just for the country's charm. The overall environment in France is also good for your health!
Customers often ask which are the healthiest countries to live in. This guide gives travelers and expats information on the healthiest places to visit based on several metrics, from the top healthcare systems to a holistic view of the countries with the healthiest people.
The Commonwealth Fund has rated the United Kingdom as having the most efficient healthcare program globally, so you might not even need international health insurance to cover medical costs. However, we recommend that all expats compare private insurance options to their new host country's healthcare system.
Here is the complete list in order:
A visit to France is on every traveler's list, and it is not just for the country's charm. The overall environment in France is also good for your health!
Customers often ask which are the healthiest countries to live in. This guide gives travelers and expats information on the healthiest places to visit based on several metrics, from the top healthcare systems to a holistic view of the countries with the healthiest people.
The Commonwealth Fund has rated the United Kingdom as having the most efficient healthcare program globally, so you might not even need international health insurance to cover medical costs. However, we recommend that all expats compare private insurance options to their new host country's healthcare system.
Here is the complete list in order:
The Top 10 Healthcare Systems Around the World:
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Norway
- Finland
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
- Luxembourg
- Iceland
- Germany
- New Zealand
Source: The Legatum Prosperity Index™ 2023
Some may ask why the U.S. is not included in many of the top 10 lists of healthiest countries worldwide. Although there are excellent hospitals in the U.S., they are often hard to access. Access to quality care and cost of care are two areas where the U.S. falls behind most other countries, pushing it further down many rankings.
Related: Healthcare Rankings by Country
Countries with the Most Doctors and Nurses
When you need a doctor, you NEED a doctor. But in some countries, they're in greater supply than others. According to the most recent data from the World Bank, collected from 2020 to today, Cuba has the highest number of physicians per capita, with 9.4 doctors per 1,000 citizens. The top 10 list also includes Monaco, Greece, San Marino, Portugal, Georgia, Austria, Norway, Lithuania, and Bulgaria.
Belgium, Monaco, Finland, and Norway have the most nurses and midwives per capita. Belgium has 20.9 nurses and midwives per 1,000 members of the population. The other countries making up the top 10 are Switzerland, Iceland, Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Germany.
List of the Best Hospitals in the World
A hospital rarely has brand name recognition on par with celebrities, but the Mayo Clinic in Rochester frequently tops the list of best hospitals in the world, giving it a global brand name. For children, London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital often tops the list. It was the very first pediatric hospital in the world when it opened in 1852. It retains its fantastic facilities because it receives the royalties to the play Peter Pan.
Here are the top 10 hospitals in the world according to Newsweek:
- Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN, USA
- Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH, USA
- Toronto General University Health Network - Toronto, Canada
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital - Baltimore, MD, USA
- Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset - Stockholm, Sweden
- Massachusetts General Hospital - Boston, MA, USA
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Berlin, Germany
- Sheba Medical Center - Ramat Gan, Israel
- Singapore General Hospital (SGH) - Singapore
- Universitätsspital Zürich - Zurich, Switzerland
Make sure you have access to the best hospitals and doctors. The best way to do this is to buy international health insurance before moving to a new country. We offer excellent global health insurance plans that will cover you in almost any country you travel to.
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Healthiest Countries to Live In
Obviously, many of the countries already mentioned have earned a place on the top 10 list of healthiest countries to live in. The rankings take into account everything from life expectancy to smoking rates to immunization levels. World Population Review reported that Singapore came in first. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Israel followed because of their high life expectancy and quality healthcare service. Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands rounded out the top 10 for having top-notch facilities that even invite medical tourism.
Other global reports use a different set of criteria to calculate the countries that enjoy the highest living standards in the world. Healthcare is an essential consideration, but other factors such as safety, affordable housing, education, and political stability are also part of the equation. From this perspective, other countries cannot outrank Switzerland. Also in the top 10 are Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Denmark.
For the seventh year in a row, Finland is ranked as the world’s happiest country. Clearly, they know a lot about living life to the fullest! Is Finland on your travel bucket list?
Bloomberg's List of the Healthiest Countries
The Bloomberg Global Health Index has crunched the numbers from the UN, World Bank, and World Health Organization, scoring 169 nations on a range of factors from life expectancy to obesity, tobacco use, air quality, and access to clean water.
| Bloomberg Global Health Index 2019 The Top 20 Healthiest Countries | |
|---|---|
| 1. Spain | 11. Luxembourg |
| 2. Italy | 12. France |
| 3. Iceland | 13. Austria |
| 4. Japan | 14. Finland |
| 5. Switzerland | 15. Netherlands |
| 6. Sweden | 16. Canada |
| 7. Australia | 17. South Korea |
| 8. Singapore | 18. New Zealand |
| 9. Norway | 19. United Kingdom |
| 10. Israel | 20. Ireland |
Note: The Bloomberg Global Health Index evaluated health variables and risks ranging from behavioral to environmental characteristics. 169 WHO states met the criteria to be included. Source: Bloomberg 2019 Healthiest Country Index.
Best Global Medical Plans Based on Where You Will Be Living
Below, you'll find links to our advice on the best global health insurance plans for the top 12 countries people living abroad plan to reside in.
- United States Health Insurance for Immigrants
- Health Insurance in Canada
- Health Insurance Cover in Mexico
- German Health Insurance for Foreigners
- Health Insurance in France
- Medical Insurance in Costa Rica
- Medical Insurance in Japan
- International Health Insurance in Brazil
- Global Medical Insurance in China for Expats
- Medical Insurance in India
- Health Insurance in Singapore
- Medical Insurance in Thailand
Countries With The Best Healthcare for Expats
If you plan to retire overseas, travel abroad for long-term work, or permanently relocate and start a family, you will want to choose the country with the safest and most reliable healthcare system. The following five countries rank highly for their medical costs, efficiency, accessibility, expat experiences, and overall standard of care.
Source: International Living
Often, getting the best service comes at a cost, and healthcare is not an exception. As noted previously, the US has the world’s most expensive healthcare system, so if you go there without comprehensive international health insurance, you may suffer financial consequences. Countries like Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and Singapore also have costly medical services.
If you plan to travel to multiple countries, global health insurance can help you mitigate the costs of getting medical help, especially during emergencies. You will be surprised at how much you will save, even for minor injuries or illnesses, compared to fully shouldering medical expenses straight out of your pocket.
Do You Need Medical Insurance in Any of These Countries?
If you are traveling to any of the countries in this article and need guidance in choosing an international health plan, send us a message. We will also give you a free quote on health insurance for foreigners in the country you've chosen so you can determine which is the best plan for you.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
