A new survey that ranks the most prosperous countries in the world and their healthcare systems was just released by The Legatum Institute, a London-based research organization. And you will be surprised which major country is not among the top 16.
In its 10th annual global Prosperity Index, the organization compared 104 variables to come up with its list, splitting those variables into nine subindexes. One of the big components of the ranking is how healthy a country’s people are.
Health is measured by three key components by the Legatum Institute: a country’s basic mental and physical health, health infrastructure, and the availability of preventative care.
Unsurprisingly, the countries that have the best scores in the Prosperity Index, and therefore rank as the world’s healthiest, are generally big, developed economies with large amounts of resources.
All of the top countries in the list have one thing in common: Universal Healthcare.
The United States misses out on this list, finishing 32nd in the Legatum Institute’s health sub-index.
Take a look at the top 16 countries below:
16. Canada
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Canada’s 1984 Health Act entrenches in law the country’s system of free at the point of access healthcare, known as Medicare. Canada’s system is not perfect however, and in recent years the number of Canadians going south for private care in the USA has grown.
15. Qatar
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The best standards of health in the Middle East can be found in the wealthy nation of Qatar. The nation has recently taken steps to implement a universal healthcare system across the entire country.
14. France
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Famed for the quality of its health services, it is not surprising to see France close to the top of the pile. The country’s average life expectancy is 82.
13. Norway
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Along with its Scandinavian counterparts, Norway often comes close to global quality of life rankings, and one reason is the health of its citizens. The country’s healthcare system is free for children under 16, but adults must pay for services. The country spends more per person on healthcare than any other country on earth.
12. New Zealand
Originally the native dance of the Maori–indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand–“the Haka” develops into sports tradition. Image: Imgur
With the nation punching well above its weight in international sporting competitions, New Zealand is one of the most active countries in the world. It has an average life expectancy of 81.6 years.
11. Belgium
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With an average age of 81.1, Belgium’s life expectancy is just outside the world’s top 20. The country has universal healthcare, but also requires mandatory health insurance for all citizens.
10. Germany
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Despite a love of beer and sausages, Germans are some of the world’s healthiest people. The country’s average life expectancy is 81.
9. Israel
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Israel is the highest ranked of any Middle Eastern state on the Legatum Institute’s health sub-index, and the country has the 8th highest life expectancy on the planet, 82.5 years.
8. Australia
The health system in Australia starts to play a more significant role than in some other places as there is universal access to health services.
With great weather and low pollution, it is not surprising that Australia is ranked as the healthiest nation in the southern hemisphere. Its average life expectancy is 82.8, the 4th highest in the world.
7. Hong Kong
Hong Kong has the lowest infant mortality rate in the whole world and the second highest life expectancy rates. Image: imgur.
The tiny city-state of Hong Kong has 11 private and 42 public hospitals to serve its population of just over 7.2 million people. In 2012, women in Hong Kong had the longest average life expectancy of any demographic on earth.
6. Sweden
Sweden’s population is homogeneous, not only in terms of race, but also in many other respects. Photo: Imgur
As with most quality of life and health rankings, northern European countries like Sweden score highly. Swedish men have the 4th highest life expectancy of any nation, living to an average of 80.7 years.
5. Netherlands
Young girl with braided hair and wearing Dutch folk dress, in tulip fields, Lisse, Netherlands.
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In 2015 the Netherlands gained the number one spot at the top of the annual Euro health consumer index, which compares healthcare systems in Europe, scoring 916 of a maximum 1,000 points
4. Japan
For decades, Japan has been one of the healthiest nations in the world and been one of biggest contributors to international relief organizations, spending billions of dollars to help people fleeing wars, poverty and natural disasters worldwide. Photo: Imgur
The country’s life expectancy — 83.7 — is the highest on the planet. That has caused demographic issues in the country, with its population aging rapidly.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland is not only one of the richest and wealthiest countries in the world, but also one of the most spectacular places where you can experience a true closeness to nature. Photo; Getty images.
Rich, beautiful, and incredibly healthy. Switzerland has pretty much all anyone could want from a country. Its healthcare service is universal and is based upon the mandatory holding of health insurance by all citizens.
2. Singapore
The culture of Singapore is the combination of Asian and European cultures. Influenced by Malay, South Asian, East Asian, and Eurasian cultures, Singapore has been dubbed as a country where “East meets West”, “Easy Asia” and “Garden city.” Photo: Imgur
Another small city-state to make the top of the Prosperity Index’s health sub-index. Singapore’s 5.6 million citizens have an average life expectancy of 83.1 years old.
1. Luxembourg
Every year, Luxembourg holds a dancing procession where people from all over the country come to a little town called Echternach to dance around the city. Photo: Imgur
Nestled between Belgium, France, and Germany, the wealthy nation of Luxembourg tops the Legatum Institute’s health sub-index. The country’s average life expectancy is 82.
