Download (and Least) Healthy Countries in the World

The Most (and Least) Healthy Countries in the World
A typical American born today can expect to live 78.8 years. While the U.S. life expectancy is
better than in many parts of the world, it is three to five years shorter than the majority of
developed nations. Further, despite spending far and away the most in the world on health
care, the United States still trails many developed nations in other health measures as well.
In order to assess the overall state of a country’s health, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a host of
indicators reflecting the health of the population, access to care, and measures of the
economy, which is often directly tied to health outcomes. Data on 23 measures was collected
in more than 170 countries.
The least healthy countries in the world tend to perform poorly not just in a few health
indicators, but in most measures of health. Infant mortality rates in these nations, for example,
are all at least six times the U.S. rate. Maternal mortality rates are even worse.
Combined, these negative health conditions result in extremely low life expectancies for the
populations of the least healthy countries. While a typical American is expected to live 78.8
years, a person born in the Central African Republic is more likely than not to die before the
age of 50.
These are the most healthy countries in the world, followed by the least healthy countries.
10. Netherlands
> Life expectancy: 81.1 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 3.2
> Health expenditure per capita: $5,601
> Unemployment rate: 6.9%
The Netherlands is one of the healthiest countries in the world by several measures. The
country has among the lowest rates of infant mortality and maternal mortality, as well as
extremely low rates of tuberculosis -- a disease that is rare in the West but still a serious
concern in parts of the world. Someone born in the country can expect to live to 81.1 years,
longer than in the majority of countries and 2.3 years on longer than the typical American.
Like most nations with healthy populations, the Dutch spend among the most on health care.
The country's total health spending of $5,601 per person is fifth highest in the world. Like
most countries with healthier populations, the Netherlands has a government-sponsored health
care system, and citizens are automatically covered for long-term and nursing care, although
they must purchase their own plan for basic services.
9. Germany
> Life expectancy: 81.0 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 3.1
> Health expenditure per capita: $4,812
> Unemployment rate: 5.0%
Like most advanced industrial countries, Germans enjoy the basic amenities that contribute to
a healthy population, including such clean water and universal access to electricity. Germans
are also much more likely to be able to access health care than residents in most nations, as
there are 3.9 physicians for every 1,000 residents, more than in nearly every country in the
world. Possibly a result of this widespread access, Germany also spends more than most
nations on health care, at $4,812 per person. Unchecked population growth can result in
health and public administration problems. Germany's expected birth rate is just 8.5 births for
every 1,000 people each year, and the country’s population is growing at one-quarter the rate
of many less healthy nations.
8. Austria
> Life expectancy: 80.9 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 2.9
> Health expenditure per capita: $4,885
> Unemployment rate: 5.0%
Austria, like its neighbor Germany, has one of the healthiest populations in the world. Safe
childbirth is often an indicator of how healthy a country's population is and of the quality of
its medical system. In Austria, the infant mortality rate is a relatively low 2.9 deaths per 1,000
live births, and the maternal mortality rate is also relatively low at 4.0 deaths for every 1,000
live births. In the United States, which still compares favorably to many countries, the
corresponding rates are 5.6 and 14.0 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively. One potential
detriment to the Austria's health is the high smoking rate among adults. An estimated 35.9%
of the country’s women and 37.4% of the country’s men smoke, each higher than most
countries. Like most nations with healthier populations, Austria has a socialized health care
system. Citizens and visitors alike are able to access basic free care as needed.
7. Singapore
> Life expectancy: 82.3 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 2.1
> Health expenditure per capita: $3,578
> Unemployment rate: 3.0%
The geographically small but densely populated island nation of Singapore is home to
approximately 5.5 million people who are among the healthiest in the world. The population's
good health is likely tied to the nation’s robust economy. Singapore thrives as a major trade
and commerce center, and the nation boasts one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world.
Just 3% of the nation’s workforce is unemployed, lower than in all but a handful of nations.
Wealth typically translates to greater access to better health care, which likely explains the
nation’s life expectancy of 82.3 years, the sixth longest in the world.
6. Switzerland
> Life expectancy: 82.7 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 3.4
> Health expenditure per capita: $6,187
> Unemployment rate: 4.5%
Higher health spending alone does not always translate to a healthier population, but most of
the healthiest nations in the world tend to spend more on health care. Switzerland is no
exception, with average health expenditures of $6,187 per person annually. While that is still
nearly $3,000 less than the U.S. per capita figure, it remains one of the highest health
expenditures in the world. As one of the most affluent nations in the world, the Swiss can
afford to spend as much as they do on health. The nation's GDP per capita of $58,149 is
higher than that of all but a handful of countries. Health care coverage, while provided by
private companies, is nearly universal in Switzerland. Citizens are required to have at least
basic coverage, but the government subsidizes costs to prevent individuals from spending
more than 10% of their incomes.
5. Iceland
> Life expectancy: 83.1 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 1.6
> Health expenditure per capita: $3,646
> Unemployment rate: 5.0%
Iceland is a relatively small and isolated nation with a population of roughly 328,000. The
country’s economy is robust, however, with a GDP of $44,029 per capita -- among the 20
wealthiest nations in the world. This relative wealth has likely helped maintain and improve
its population's good health. As is the case in most developed industrial economies, Iceland’s
population has universal access to important amenities including clean water and electricity.
Also, with 3.5 physicians per 100,000 residents, Icelanders are much more likely to have
access to doctors than the populations of most other countries.
4. Japan
> Life expectancy: 83.3 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 2.0
> Health expenditure per capita: $3,741
> Unemployment rate: 3.7%
Many of the healthiest countries in the world have relatively small populations, but Japan has
a population of more than 127 million people. A person born in Japan today is expected to
live 83.3 years on average -- a longer life expectancy than in every nation in the world and
five years longer than the typical American's life expectancy. Strangely, the nation has one of
the highest death rates in the world, at 10.1 deaths for every 1,000 people. However, while a
high death rate can point to a country’s health risks, in Japan this is likely due to the nation’s
disproportionately older population.
3. Norway
> Life expectancy: 81.5 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 2.0
> Health expenditure per capita: $6,308
> Unemployment rate: 3.4%
While other Nordic countries have among the healthiest populations in the world, Norway
compares slightly better by several measures. For example, there are 4.3 physicians for every
1,000 Norwegians, a higher rate than in all but three countries. The nation also has an infant
mortality rate of two deaths for every 1,000 live births, fourth lowest in the world. Affluence
tends to correlate with a healthier population as residents of wealthier nations have access to
better treatment and healthier diet and exercise options. Norway’s GDP per capita of $67,166
is more than $20,000 greater than that of Denmark, Sweden, or Finland.
2. Qatar
> Life expectancy: 78.4 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 6.8
> Health expenditure per capita: $2,882
> Unemployment rate: 0.3%
Qatar stands out as the only Middle Eastern nation to make this list. Until recently, it also
stood out as one of few healthy nations without a state-run health care system, although that is
no longer the case -- the Qatari government implemented a universal single-payer system in
2014. The nation is able to afford the new health care system for its roughly 2.2 million
residents due its relative wealth. Qatar is a large oil and natural gas producer, operations that
are largely government controlled. As a result, Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the
world at $137,162 per person -- a greater GDP than that of the 50 poorest nations in the world
combined. Wealth is important to improving health as it allows access to better care. There
are 1.5 deaths for every 1,000 Qatari residents each year. In contrast, the U.S. death rate is 8.2
deaths per 1,000 people.
1. Luxembourg
> Life expectancy: 81.8 years
> Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 1.5
> Health expenditure per capita: $6,518
> Unemployment rate: 6.1%
Luxembourg has one of the higher smoking rates among women and one of the highest rates
of alcohol consumption per capita in the world. Despite these behaviors, the small European
nation boasts the healthiest population in the world. Luxembourg has the lowest infant
mortality rate, at 1.5 deaths for every 1,000 live births -- less than a third of the U.S. rate. The
country has one of the longest life expectancies in the world, at nearly 82 years on average.