News & Advice

These Are the Healthiest Countries in the World, According to a 2023 Study

Those Mediterranean diets are no joke.
Healthiest countries in the world Australia
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If you’ve ever visited one of the healthiest countries in the world, then you already know what it feels like to end a trip feeling stronger and more refreshed than when you started. There’s something about following in the footsteps of citizens with impeccable diets and universal health care that simply makes you feel healthier—without counting calories or taking frequent trips to the hotel gym.

There are many factors that determine how “healthy” a country is—from life expectancy to the quality of hospitals—as evidenced by the cache of annual rankings scattered across the internet. While Bloomberg’s Global Health Index has historically been the most popular version of this type of list, the index hasn’t been updated since the COVID-19 pandemic—something which very obviously affected global health as a whole.

We were curious which countries have been able to stay relatively well since 2020 (or at least well enough to still be recognized on worldwide rankings), so we referred to a recent study from CEOWORLD magazine to compile this year’s list. The study pulled data from several reputable sources, including the United Nations Population Division, the World Bank, the Lancet study, and the World Health Organization—the latter of which pays particular attention to factors like COVID-related deaths and vaccination rates.

The bad news: The United States did not make the top 10 (it currently sits at position 45). The good news: Some of our absolute favorite countries are ranked among the world’s healthiest, which means you can sample some amazing cuisines and see one-of-a-kind landscapes while tackling those resolutions. Without further ado, here are the healthiest countries to visit next.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.

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    10. Norway

    As if we needed more proof that Scandinavia slays in the health department, Norway makes an appearance in this year’s list thanks to clean air and water, high life expectancies (a little over 83 years), and low homicide rates (0.6 percent, compared to the world average of 3.7). We suspect the country’s jaw-dropping landscapes might improve life a little bit, too.

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    9. Monaco

    Tiny and exorbitantly wealthy, Monaco is the place to be if you want to live forever—or well into your 80s, at least. According to the UN’s latest World Population Prospects report, the average life expectancy in Monaco is 85.9 years (the highest in the world right now), meaning its millionaire residents have even more time to enjoy their yachts and chef-prepared Mediterranean diets.

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    8. Australia

    One look at the beaches and these Instagrammable breakfasts, and it’s easy to see why so many citizens in Australia are healthy and happy. Locally sourced food isn’t a trend—it’s a way of life here, as is surfing, hiking, and getting outdoors in general.

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    7. New Zealand

    When you live among the world’s best outdoor activities—not to mention some of the most beautiful landscapes—you can’t help but be a healthy person. Whether you decide to kayak in Milford Sound or go bungee jumping in Queenstown during your vacation, you’ll definitely feel invigorated on your plane ride back home. Auckland is also considered one of the best places to live in the world, with a redeveloped waterfront filled with green spaces and a thriving culinary scene that highlights Pacific flavors.

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    6. Taiwan

    Asian countries are known for fostering a culture of daily physical exercise, as well as boasting diets that prioritize rice, vegetables, and seafood over red meat. Taiwan is no exception: The East Asian nation offers universal healthcare for its citizens (and affordable healthcare for expats) and many high-quality hospitals in major cities. In 2020, Taiwan’s government even turned Yangmingshan National Park into the world’s first official Urban Quiet Park, giving residents a place to strengthen both their minds and bodies.

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    5. Finland

    Finland is famous for consistently being named the happiest country in the world—and we know that mental health is essential to any measurement of wellness. On the physical front, life expectancy in Finland has improved over the past two decades, thanks to efforts like an increase in health spending and a sharp decrease in the number of adult smokers. And who knows? Maybe there really is something to the country’s notorious habit of ice swimming.

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    4. Hong Kong

    Though the United Nations does not recognize Hong Kong as an official country, its high placement on CEOWORLD’s ranking is well worth calling out. The city has one of the world’s highest life expectancies at birth—85.5, second only to Monaco—which the Lancet attributes to “a unique combination of economic prosperity and low levels of smoking.” Add to that an abundance of city parks, high-quality hospitals, and easy access to mountains and beaches, and it’s little wonder this metropolis earns such high marks in the health department.

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    3. Iceland

    Much has been written about the Northern Lights and Nordic cuisine—and it turns out both helped bump Iceland toward the top of this list. The country’s citizens are active and outdoorsy, and a diet largely of fresh seafood and free-range meat helps keep life expectancy in the 80s for both men and women. (Turns out, there is something to those restorative Blue Lagoon baths, too.)

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    2. Singapore

    It may be better known for its food scene than, say, its workout classes, but Singapore happens to be one of the healthiest countries in Asia. People here seem to balance their love of hawker food with active lifestyles—in fact, the government handed out free Fitbits to its citizens in 2019. Even those who fall off the exercise wagon have one of the world’s best healthcare systems as a safety net.

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    1. Italy

    Che meraviglia: Children born in Italy can expect to live into their 80s. Even in the land of pizza and pasta, most citizens lead active lifestyles and stick to vegetable- and olive oil-rich diets, which lead to better cholesterol and overall well-being. Guess it’s time to add “being healthy” to the list of things Italians do better than everyone else.