Which Countries Are the Healthiest in 2024?

Which Countries Are the Healthiest in 2024?

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The health of nations is shaped by many interconnected factors, from healthcare system quality to lifestyle and diet.

Although challenging to quantify, a common metric for assessing a population’s overall health is average life expectancy. Other important indicators include child mortality rates and access to food and sanitation. These factors collectively provide a clearer understanding of what contributes to a nation’s health, which in turn is shown to correlate with GDP, individual spending, labor productivity.

This graphic shows the healthiest countries across the world’s major economies, based on analysis from Ray Dalio’s Great Powers Index 2024.

Ranked: The Healthiest Countries Worldwide

Below, we rank the health of 24 leading nations in 2024. These figures are represented by z-scores, where the number represents how many standard deviations a country is above or below the average.

Singapore, the top-ranking nation, has recently been identified as a “blue zone,” where the population of centenarians is 10 times higher per capita than in America.

The government’s initiatives to encourage walkability—through taxation on vehicles, fuel, and road use—along with tax benefits for those living near their parents or children, likely contribute to the country’s increased life expectancy.

Japan ranks second, with one of the highest average life expectancies globally. More than half of women born in 2023 are expected to live to age 90. Like Singapore, Japan is home to a blue zone, particularly in Okinawa. Residents here embrace a strong sense of purpose, known as “ikigai,” alongside strong social support networks.

Following next is Switzerland, likely influenced by economic stability, low obesity rates, and the highest life expectancy in Europe. In 2023, average life expectancy stood at 85.8 for women and 82.2 for men. The country also has the best access to healthcare across rich countries.

The U.S. ranks 13th overall, sitting in the middle of the pack. Despite high healthcare spending per capita—at $12,600 in 2022—it falls behind in life expectancy and other critical health outcomes.

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To learn more about this topic from a happiness perspective, check on this graphic showing leading economies by happiness measures.