The Health sub-index is based on performance across three indicators: insured health expenditure, life expectancy and health expenditure per capita. Life expectancy is a key driver of overall performance in the sub-index.
Luxembourg remains at the top of the Health sub-index for the second year in a row, with Ireland jumping to claim second, up from fifth last year. Sweden slips one rank to third, while Norway remains in fourth. Switzerland rounds out the top five countries within the sub-index. The Health sub-index is based on performance across three indicators: insured health expenditure, life expectancy and health expenditure per capita. Life expectancy is a key driver of overall performance in the sub-index.
Ireland comes in second place following a notable increase in its life expectancy score, with its ranking climbing 11 places following an eight-percentage-point increase for this indicator. A stable fifth placement for the other two indicators drives its overall score up by two percentage points. Luxembourg keeps its spot at the top of the sub-index with a top score in insured health expenditure and an increase of four percentage points for life expectancy. Despite breaking into the top five for life expectancy, Sweden drops to third this year in the Health rankings, as a result of Ireland’s rise. Norway remains in fourth after a seven-ranking drop in life expectancy, contrasted with a rise of seven rankings in health expenditure per capita. Switzerland’s score remains unchanged, but the country falls two spots to fifth, underscoring the importance of continual progress to remain at the top.
Completing the top ten are Australia, France, the Netherlands, Japan, and the UK. Australia rises from seventh to sixth, following a one-percentage-point increase in its overall score due to an improved life expectancy score. France keeps its score and climbs two places up to seventh. Keeping its score consistent from last year, the Netherlands holds its place in eighth. Japan drops three places to ninth in the rankings, even though its overall score remains unchanged. This shift is due to a slight decline in health expenditure pr capita, combined with other countries improving their performance. The UK breaks into the top ten (tenth) with a three-percentage-point increase in its overall score, attributable to its life expectancy score rising by ten percentage points.
Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, Iceland, and Singapore occupy the spots from 11th to 15th in the Health sub-index. Germany ascends three rankings to claim 11th despite an unchanged score from last year, while Denmark holds its place in 12th, though its overall score also did not change. New Zealand jumps four rankings, landing in 13th, following a five-percentage-point increase in its life expectancy score. Iceland continues its downward trend, dropping to 14th from 11th last year after a decrease in life expectancy score, which sends its ranking within the indicator down seven places to 16th. Singapore also drops by two places following decreases in both the insured health expenditure and life expectancy indicators.
The next five countries down the table are Austria, Canada, Belgium, Cyprus, and Finland. Austria’s score remains unchanged but falls one spot to 16th this year. Canada sees a notable decrease in rank, down from tenth to 17th following a two-percentage-point drop in its insured health expenditure score and six-percentage-point drop in life expectancy score. Conversely, Cyprus makes a notable leap to 19th place, up from 26th last year, driven by improved scores across the board, particularly a 13-place jump in the insured health expenditure indicator. Both Finland and Belgium maintain their scores but drop one and two rankings, respectively.
Rounding out the top 25 are Spain, Italy, Slovenia, the United States, and Israel. Spain, Italy, and Israel remain largely unchanged in their scores, but each drop by at least one ranking within the sub-index. Slovenia climbs one spot to 23rd, following a one-percentage-point increase in its overall score. The United States shows notable progress, gaining three percentage points compared to last year, driven by an improved life expectancy score that lifts the country into the top 25.