What Countries Have the Best Healthcare?

Healthcare differs from country to country based on the healthcare system each country operates. The health system each country operates plays a huge role in determining access, affordability, and care quality.

There are four main healthcare system models. They are:

1. Beveridge Model: Free healthcare services are provided by the government for all citizens through public healthcare systems funded by taxes. The UK and Spain use this model.
2. Bismarck Model: A social insurance model that involves employers and employees making mandatory contributions into a private insurance fund called a “sickness fund.” Healthcare is provided by private medical institutions and insurers. Germany pioneered this model.
3. National Health Insurance Model: This model combines elements of the Beveridge and Bismarck models. Citizens contribute a small amount to a government-run insurance program, but health care is provided by private institutions with small out-of-pocket payments for some services. Canada’s Medicare is a classic example of this model.
4. Private Health Insurance/Out-of-Pocket Model: Citizens pay for private medical insurance to access healthcare services or pay directly for medical care out-of-pocket. Sometimes employers also contribute to insurance funds. If a person has no private health insurance and can’t afford out-of-pocket payments, they can’t access healthcare services. The United States primarily operates this model.

Most countries operate a mix of two or three models, which contributes to the complexity of healthcare systems.

• How is Healthcare in Other Countries Different?
• What Are the Key Factors That Determine a Country’s Healthcare Ranking?
• Global Healthcare Rankings and Performance
• Best Healthcare Systems by Country
• Healthcare System Rankings and Reports
• Top Healthcare Systems Worldwide
• Analysis of International Health Insurance Plans
• Healthcare Performance Across Nations
• Best Healthcare Systems in Europe
• Countries With Free Healthcare For Their Citizens
• Worst Healthcare Countries Worldwide
• How Total Law Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

Healthcare rankings assess healthcare systems across different countries based on various factors. The Commonwealth Fund’s ‘Mirror, Mirror Report’ ranks the performance of different countries’ public healthcare systems using the following criteria.

• Access to Care: This criterion examines the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services to the general population. It evaluates the barriers to health care and the out-of-pocket expenses for patients. The Netherlands and the UK ranked high on this metric among the 10 countries the Commonwealth Fund assessed.
• Care Process: This metric measures the quality of care received, whether it’s on par with what experts consider to be quality care. It evaluates components of healthcare like coordination, prevention, safety, patient engagement, and sensitivity to patients’ preferences. New Zealand and the U.S. ranked high for this metric.
• Administrative Efficiency: This criterion measures factors like the ease of handling insurance/medical claims, data reporting requirements, time spent resolving medical bill disputes, and time spent completing medical paperwork. Australia and the UK rank high for administrative efficiency.
• Equity: This metric measures the disparity in access to healthcare and care experience among low-income and high-income earners. There is healthcare equity when there is little or no difference in access and care experience across different income levels. Australia and Germany have the least disparities in healthcare access between low-income and high-income residents.
• Health Outcomes: This is a measure of each country’s responsiveness to healthcare interventions. Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland ranked highest for this metric.

The complexities of global healthcare systems make it challenging to determine the global best healthcare systems. However, several organisations have ranked global healthcare systems using data from independent research and data from the WHO, OECD, and UN Data.

The most popular healthcare performance rankings are

• The Commonwealth Fund’s ‘Mirror, Mirror Report’: Compares healthcare systems in 10 countries, including the U.S., based on access to care, administrative efficiencies, equity, care process, and health outcomes.
• CEOWorld Magazine Health Care Index: Ranks the healthcare systems of 110 countries based on healthcare professionals’ competencies, healthcare infrastructure, cost, availability of quality medicine, and government readiness.
• Numbeo Health Care Index by Country: Evaluates the overall quality of healthcare systems in 99 countries based on healthcare infrastructure, costs, access to services, patient-to-healthcare-professional ratio, and quality of service.

According to the CEOWORLD Magazine Health Care Index, Taiwan ranks as the country with the overall best-performing healthcare system. It had the highest overall score (78.7) for the metrics assessed—healthcare infrastructure, annual per capita healthcare costs, quality medicine availability, competencies of health professionals, and government preparedness for health crises.

Two other Asian countries made it to the top 10. South Korea clinched 2nd place with an overall score of 77.7, while Israel took 10th place with an overall score of 61.7.

Australia and Canada came in 3rd and 5th, scoring 74.1 and 71.5, respectively. The remaining 5 countries in the top 10 are European countries.

The countries with the best healthcare systems, according to the index, are:

1. Taiwan – 78.72
2. South Korea – 77.7
3. Australia – 74.1
4. Canada – 71.5
5. Sweden – 70.7
6. Ireland – 68
7. Netherlands – 65.4
8. Germany – 64.7
9. Norway – 64.6
10. Israel – 61.7

The top 10 countries use different healthcare system models. Taiwan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, and Israel have government-run national health insurance programs that provide healthcare access to all citizens and legal residents. Australia and Ireland operate mixed public and private healthcare systems, while the Netherlands operates a compulsory private insurance system.

The Commonwealth Fund’s ‘Mirror, Mirror’ compares the performance of health systems in selected countries using data collected from international surveys and research done across at least three years.

Mirror, Mirror 2024 compares the health systems of Australia, Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United States. It analysed 70 performance measures in 5 key areas: access to care, equity, administrative efficiency, care process, and health outcomes.

According to the report, the countries with the best healthcare systems are:

• Australia
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• France

Australia outperformed the other 9 countries in terms of equity and healthcare outcomes. The UK ranked best in administrative efficiency, the Netherlands had the best access to care performance, and Zealand had the best care process performance.

The U.S. came out last on the list despite having the highest spending per capita on health care. Its low ranking is largely due to high healthcare costs and inequality in care access. The U.S. runs a private health insurance model where citizens pay out-of-pocket for health services, get private health insurance, or employers contribute to employees’ insurance schemes.

While each healthcare system has its unique advantages and pitfalls, the Beveridge model provides the best outcome in terms of access to care, cost, and equity. It guarantees access to healthcare for all citizens and legal residents, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

However, wait times for consultation and medical services are typically high due to large crowds and shortages of healthcare professionals. Private insurance options are typically available in countries with government-run insurance schemes. Getting a private insurance plan is useful as a health safety plan for avoiding the long queues when you need urgent medical care or advanced treatment.

The private health insurance model only guarantees healthcare services for members of the population who can afford it. The private insurers are typically for-profit organisations that contribute to the high costs of healthcare. This model cuts off access for low-income earners, who are often the most vulnerable.

International health insurance is essential when travelling abroad, even if you’re travelling to a country with universal healthcare coverage. You will likely be unable to access government-funded health care as a foreign visitor, and even if you’re relocating there, you may have to reside there for a specific timeframe to qualify.

Getting an international health plan ensures that you can access medical care if you fall ill or are involved in an accident during your trip. International health plans typically cover hospitalisation costs, outpatient care, emergency visits, dental care, management of a long-term condition, vaccination, and telehealth. Some plans also have provisions for emergency evacuation.

There are several insurance companies that offer global insurance plans. Some of the popular ones include:

• Cigna:

Cigna international plans are comprehensive and customisable, allowing you to pay for only what you need. It offers three levels of coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Your premium costs depend on the coverage and deductible options you choose. The standard coverage for all plans includes:

• Inpatient care covering hospital stays and treatment
• Mental health care
• Choice of deductible and co-pay
• Online customer service
• Choice of coverage area – worldwide coverage or worldwide excluding the U.S.
• Global health assistance
• IMG Global

IMG Global Prima Medical Insurance provides comprehensive medical coverage for expats and their families. Expats can choose from five coverage options: Bronze, Bronze Plus, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. It is also more budget-friendly than Cigna. The standard coverage benefits for all plans include:

• Inpatient care
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency evacuation coverage
• Prescription coverage
• Mental wellness support
• Telemedicine services
• Coverage area option – Europe, worldwide excluding the U.S., or worldwide
• Optional routine pregnancy and dental coverage at additional costs.
• GeoBlue Xplorer

The Global Xplorer is an excellent plan for U.S. residents moving abroad or foreign nationals who have just moved to the U.S. Its benefits include:

• No waiting periods for preventive services like routine doctor visits
• No co-pay for standard health services
• Unlimited medical maximum
• Emergency medical transportation
• Optional enhanced prescription, vision, and dental coverage.
• No cancellation fee

Irrespective of the plan you subscribe to, your insurance costs will depend on several factors, such as your age, health history, and extent of medical coverage. You should choose a plan that works best for your medical needs and budget. Some insurance providers allow for customisable plans tailored to individual needs.

Insurance packages also have limitations. Some insurance policies limit care access to specific clinics or hospitals or to specific hours of the day.

To ensure adequate health safety during your travels, it’s best to look for a plan that provides 24-hour coverage, access to care in most local clinics and hospitals in your travel destination, hospitalisation coverage, and a high maximum coverage amount.

A country’s healthcare performance is reflected in the well-being of its citizens and residents and can be measured by certain key indicators, such as life expectancy and mortality rates.

Countries with high-performing health systems prioritise care access, preventive services, patient safety, equity, and efficiency.

Australia and New Zealand have high-quality healthcare systems and consistently make it to the top 10 of most healthcare indices. However, European countries make up the largest percentage of the top 10 countries with the best health systems because of universal coverage, which ensures access to preventive care and equity, resulting in lower mortality rates and improved life expectancy.

Asian countries like Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore also rank high in health systems performance, blending government-funded health care with mandatory insurance.

Africa’s developing nations, like Nigeria, present a sharp contrast, with very low performances in health systems due to poor access, poor healthcare infrastructure, inequity, and administrative inefficiencies.

According to the Health Care Index and the Numbeo Health Index, the European countries with the best healthcare systems are:

1. Netherlands
2. Austria
3. Sweden
4. Denmark
5. Spain
6. Finland
7. Ireland
8. Norway
9. Germany
10. Belgium

This list combines data from both reports. Each country has its unique strengths and weaknesses, but it is overall one of the best-performing health systems in Europe.

European nationals can move freely between EU countries and can access healthcare in any country when necessary. However, there might be restrictions on the extent of coverage you can receive as a temporary visitor in another EU country. It’s best to verify the extent of healthcare coverage you can access before travelling.

If you’re a non-EU/EEA national, you must obtain international insurance coverage before travelling to the EU.

Many developed countries provide free healthcare services for their citizens, funded with taxes. Some key examples include:

• United Kingdom: The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) provides free comprehensive healthcare for all citizens and permanent residents. This means they can access standard medical services without payment at point of use. However, visa holders have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge to access the NHS.
• Spain: Spain’s Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) provides comprehensive healthcare for all citizens and residents without payment at point of use.
• Norway: Norway has a decentralised healthcare system that provides comprehensive healthcare for citizens and residents. Norwegians pay a maximum of $200 per year, and the government covers all other costs.
• Brazil: Brazil’s public system (SUS) provides free healthcare for all citizens, residents, and even visitors. It covers health care from basic visits to inpatient care, as the Brazilian constitution states that healthcare is a basic right of every citizen.
• Saudi Arabia: Saudi nationals get free healthcare services at government institutions, with no co-payments. Expats need private health insurance to access medical care.

Because of the many nuances involved in assessing healthcare quality across countries and regions, it is challenging to truly ascertain the countries with the worst healthcare systems. However, according to the 2024 Health Care Index, the worst healthcare countries include:

1. Congo DRC
2. Sudan
3. Libya
4. Pakistan
5. Sri Lanka
6. Bolivia
7. Paraguay
8. Nepal
9. Honduras
10. El Salvador

According to the Index, El Salvador has the worst health system among the 110 countries analysed.

There are several factors that can affect the healthcare performance of many countries on the index. Regional conflicts make healthcare inaccessible in some countries. In developing nations, the problem of healthcare performance is often directly tied to poor health infrastructure and a lack of universal coverage.