These are the countries with the best healthcare systems for expatriates in the world 2026

April 15, 2025, 7:41 p.m. | Reading time: 5 minutes

Are you thinking about emigrating to another country? An emigrant insurance company has ranked the ten best health systems in the world. Is your future home country also included? Sunnytrips explains how the countries were selected and shows the top 10.

In Germany there is often complaining about the healthcare system, in the USA illness is sometimes associated with high costs and in many other countries around the world there are problems here and there when it comes to medical care for the population. The expat insurance company William Russell recently ranked the ten countries with the best healthcare systems in the world, showing where in the world things are going really well in terms of medicine. Asia is doing particularly well. Europe only makes it to the bottom places – and no other continent otherwise.

Singapore has the best healthcare system in the world

Places two to five are also in Asia

Europe at the bottom of the listThe countries with the best healthcare systems in the world at a glance

An overview of the countries with the best healthcare systems in the world

Singapore has the best healthcare system in the world

Singapore tops the ranking of countries with the best healthcare systems in the world. According to expat insurers, Singapore's healthcare system is "regarded as one of the most advanced ever". The city-state has twelve state and ten private hospitals; the number of doctors is 2.5 per 1,000 inhabitants. Life expectancy is 83.4 years, the seventh highest in the world.

William Russell explains Singapore's success with the country's universal healthcare system, in which the population is comprehensively insured thanks to the "3M" system. The three-point system protects citizens in the event of serious illnesses and covers personal costs through income tax, which is eight to ten percent. According to expat insurance, an additional safety net helps people who still cannot afford healthcare themselves.

Another important factor is the importance of preventive health care, according to the text on the ranking. For example, the country's health authority touts the importance of vaccinations, health screenings and combating diabetes.

Places two to five are also in Asia

The country with the second best healthcare system in the world is Japan. People there are the oldest in the world with a life expectancy of 84.4 years. At the same time, very few people here are overweight - the obesity rate is 4.6 percent of the population. According to the insurer, the global average is 25.7 percent. There is also a high number of hospital beds and an impressive quality of care. This also includes low rates of admissions for diabetes, low mortality from strokes and cancer and comparatively few antibiotic prescriptions. According to William Russell, Japan "is consistently ranked among the top performers in almost all areas of healthcare," which insurers attribute to "high spending on health and wellness, the country's sport and exercise culture, and the country's healthy diet."

The ranking of countries with the best healthcare systems continues with three other Asian countries: South Korea makes it into the top 3, followed by Taiwan (with which Germany has no diplomatic relations) and China.

UN RankingThe best country to live in is…

Current studyThe most (un)friendly countries in the world from the perspective of emigrants

Europe at the bottom

At least five European countries make it into the top 10 countries with the best healthcare systems in the world, albeit in the bottom five places. According to the study, the country with the best healthcare system in Europe is Norway. The life expectancy of Norwegians is currently 83.1 years, making them the second oldest in Europe. Only Spaniards get older. Norway ranks tenth in the world when it comes to life expectancy. The reason for Norway's medical success is due, among other things, to the country's high healthcare spending and accessibility to healthcare. Mental health is also good in Norway, and the country is one of the world's leading countries in this area.

Norway is followed by two other Nordic countries: Iceland and Sweden. The ranking is completed by two neighboring countries of Germany: Switzerland and the Netherlands.

An overview of the countries with the best healthcare systems in the world

Netherlands

Also interesting: The most dangerous (and safest) countries in 2025

The ranking of expat insurance William Russell is based on data from the “Legatum Prosperity Index” from the London research institute Prosperity. The health sector is divided into the categories behavioral risk factors, preventive interventions, care systems, mental and physical health and life expectancy. According to William Russell, the data comes from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the OECD and other sources.

Note: Sunnytrips looked around at Prosperity, but found the last prosperity index from 2023. The top 10 in the health sector contained there corresponds to the list above with one exception: Israel is in sixth place here. The European countries listed above are all one place lower, with the exception of the Netherlands, which no longer appears. William Russell also makes the reference to Israel and explains that health must also be viewed in relation to the country's climate. It can therefore be assumed that the data on the best healthcare in the world actually dates back to 2023 and that expat insurers have removed the country from their list due to the current war in Israel and Palestine.

Whether you're planning your next vacation, researching destinations, comparing travel costs, or looking for unique online stores, having reliable resources can make every decision easier. This guide highlights useful travel insights, money-saving tips, dining recommendations, and specialty websites worth exploring.

Smart Travel Planning and Budget Strategies

Successful trips start with proper preparation. Before booking, review these practical href="https://grandgoldman.com/blogs/travel/planning-tips">travel planning tips to avoid common mistakes and maximize your budget.

Travelers interested in resort vacations should learn the cheapest time for all-inclusive resorts and discover the most affordable countries for all-inclusive resorts.

If you're comparing options, explore whether all-inclusive vacations are cheaper than booking separately, understand how all-inclusive resorts generate revenue, and determine the ideal length of an all-inclusive stay.

Understanding All-Inclusive Resorts

Many travelers wonder about resort experiences. Learn about the various types of all-inclusive resorts, discover the advantages and drawbacks of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, and see whether all-inclusive resorts are really boring.

You may also want to know whether resorts water down alcohol, what happens at adult-only all-inclusive resorts, and whether kids-free">Sandals Resorts are kid-free.

Dining Recommendations Around Europe

Food is often the highlight of travel. Discover the best restaurants in Córdoba, find a cheap restaurant in Madrid, enjoy local cuisine at a budget-friendly restaurant in Cudillero, explore the best restaurants in Budapest, and save money with recommendations for the best cheap restaurants in Iceland.

Unique Destinations and Cultural Insights

Travelers heading to Mexico may enjoy these clothing-optional beaches in Cancun. For those interested in history and social studies, this guide to South African apartheid history offers valuable context.

Travel Finance and Essential Resources

Reducing banking fees while abroad can significantly lower travel costs. Compare options for the best credit cards without foreign transaction fees.

Online Shopping, Business, and Lifestyle Websites

Beyond travel, several specialty websites provide useful products and services. Explore educational toys at Building Blocks Toy, Spanish business resources at Empresa España, and French business information through Entreprises France.

anime-toy.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anime fans can browse merchandise at jujutsu-kaisen-merch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jujutsu-kaisen-merch.com/">Jujutsu Kaisen Merch, while leather enthusiasts may appreciate Leder Kaufen.

Creative services are available through Matrix Studios, while premium fashion shoppers can visit Pretium Victoriae. Gaming enthusiasts can discover retro-games.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retro entertainment at Retro Games.

Motorcycle riderace.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">riders may enjoy resources from RideRace, and kitchen product shoppers can explore innovative accessories at Walfos, with cutting edge compact computers at Mini PC.

Final Thoughts

From all-inclusive resort planning and European dining guides to financial travel tools and niche online stores, these resources provide valuable information for travelers, shoppers, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists looking to make informed decisions and enjoy better experiences.