There isn't one single "unhealthiest" country, as rankings vary by study, but recent reports frequently name the Central African Republic (due to poor access to basics, conflict) or nations in Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria) for high alcohol/tobacco use, while some list South Sudan, Somalia, Chad, or Mozambique due to extreme health crises and lack of care. The Central African Republic often appears at the bottom for overall health, while nations like Bulgaria rank high for unhealthy habits, and South Sudan struggles with critical mortality rates.
Yet the U.S. is the only country that doesn't have universal health coverage. The U.S. has the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions, the highest maternal and infant mortality, and among the highest suicide rates.
The top 10 healthiest countries in the world
There's no single "number 1" unhealthy food, but ultra-processed items like sugary drinks, processed meats (bacon, hot dogs), deep-fried foods (fries), and refined snacks (donuts, chips, sugary cereals) consistently top lists due to high sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. These items offer little nutritional value while increasing risks for chronic diseases.
Food is any substance, usually from plants, animals, or fungi, that provides essential nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals) to organisms for energy, growth, and to maintain life, consumed orally for nourishment, pleasure, or health, with fruits like avocados (🥑) and kiwis (🥝) being excellent examples of nutrient-rich options. It's the foundation of nutrition, supporting bodily functions like breathing and immune health, and plays a big role in culture, memory, and well-being, extending beyond just physical sustenance.
Top 10 Foods for Health
It ranks in the middle of a "league table" for infant mortality and is placed behind several countries for each of our National Health Priority Areas — cardiovascular health, cancer control, injury prevention and control, mental health and diabetes.
According to the index, Singapore ranks first for healthcare, followed by Japan in second place and South Korea in third.
1. Singapore. Singapore is the healthiest country on Earth.
The best doctors in the world are often found in countries with top-ranked healthcare systems and medical education. These include the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
The Unhealthiest Countries in the World
Americans are looking to emigrate for the same reasons that immigrants once came to America—for safety, economic security, better opportunities, and an over-all sense that their families would have a better future. Americans are also afraid.
Afghanistan continues to hold the position as the most dangerous country in the world. Persistent terrorism, rampant political instability, and large-scale displacement have left the nation in a state of severe unrest and a highly dangerous place.
The World's Friendliest Nations, According To Scientific Study
Introduction. In the 2024 World Index of Health Innovation, Australia secured the 9th position overall, a decline from 5th place in 2022. This ranking highlights Australia's strengths in Quality and Choice, where it stands 6th and 3rd respectively.
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is consistently ranked as the #1 hospital in the world by publications like Newsweek and Statista, earning this title for multiple years due to its high quality of care, patient safety, and outcomes, with rankings also highlighting its excellence in numerous specialized fields.
The country is world famous for its food (along with its leather, wine, art, and culture in general), and sits right on the Mediterranean. Did you guess it? The recent Bloomberg Global Health Index has ranked Italy as the healthiest country in the world out of 163 total countries.
No, Australia is not 90% white; while a large majority identify with European ancestry (around 76-80% in recent years), a significant and growing portion identifies as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Indigenous, making it a highly multicultural nation with diverse ethnic backgrounds, not overwhelmingly white. Recent census data shows European ancestry (English, Irish, etc.) makes up a large chunk, but Asian ancestries are also substantial, with over 17% Asian population and around 3.8% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, per the 2021 census data from Wikipedia.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.