What are the secrets of health? What do the world’s healthiest people do well? These questions preoccupy the global community, which is constantly searching for answers that can provide valuable insights into what makes populations thrive and live longer.
It is known that health is influenced by various factors, ranging from quality of health systems Until life choices. The health levels of a population are calculated based on indicators, such as life expectancyTHE infant mortality rates and the access to food. The combination of these metrics provides a clearer picture of a country’s overall well-being.
Every year, countries around the world are rated on their health, represented by z-scores. A z-score measures how much a country’s health statistics deviate from the global average, highlighting how much better or worse a country is performing than others. This year’s analysis of the Great Powers Index 2024 has therefore highlighted the healthiest countries in the world and presents the nations with the most impressive health statistics.
Singapore is at the top of healthcare
OR Singapore leads the global ranking for health, while recently being designated as “blue zone”, i.e. an area where people are much more likely to live beyond the age of 100. In fact, the number of people reaching or exceeding 100 years of life in Singapore is 10 times higher than in, for example, the United States. Government initiatives such as those promoting walking – through taxes on vehicles, fuel and road use – along with tax incentives for families living nearby, have likely contributed to this extraordinary lifestyle.
In second place there is Japanwhich has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. In particular, it is estimated that more than half of women born in 2023 will live to be 90 years old. Like Singapore, Japan has a blue zone, in Okinawa, where residents benefit from a strong sense of purpose (ikigaias they call it), as well as the existence of strong social networks. These cultural and social factors play an important role in the longevity of the population.
In third place in the ranking there is Swisswhich combines financial stability with low interest rates obesity and excellent healthcare. This nation state boasts the highest life expectancy in Europe, with women living an average of 85.8 years and men 82.2 years. Part of the longevity of Swiss residents is due to the fact that the country offers its citizens considerable access to healthcare.
The United States ranks 13th, occupying an average position on the list of 24 countries overall. Despite spending a whopping $12,600 per capita on health care in 2022, the United States lags behind in key health outcomes like life expectancy. This reflects a broader challenge in achieving better health outcomes, suggesting that lifestyle, social factors and access to healthcare are just as critical as money spent on health.
Overall, the 24 countries with the best health conditions are:
- Singapore
- Japan
- Swiss
- South Korea
- England
- Australia
- Italy
- Canada
- France
- Eurozone
- Netherlands
- Germany
- USA
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- Argentina
- Turkey
- Brazil and
- Russia
A nation’s health is influenced by a wide range of factors, and the 2024 ranking highlights countries that excel through a combination of government policies, cultural habits and healthcare systems. Nations like Singapore, Japan and Switzerland are models of longevity and prosperity, while others, like the United States, demonstrate that spending alone does not guarantee good health outcomes. These data provide valuable information on global health trends and reveal the secrets of strategies that promise to ensure health even in old age.