Top 10 Countries with the Best Healthcare Systems 2024-2025




Healthcare quality is a hot topic – from waiting-room woes to life-saving innovations, people care about the system they rely on. According to the CEOWORLD Magazine Health Care Index 2024, the top-ranked country for overall healthcare is Taiwan, followed by South Korea, Australia, Canada, and others. This report (covering 110 nations) weights factors like coverage, quality, cost-efficiency, and readiness for crises. Here’s a closer look at the ten countries that rose to the top, and what makes their systems stand out.

Taiwan – Efficient Universal Coverage



Taiwan lands at #1 on the CEOWORLD list. Its National Health Insurance (NHI) is a single-payer system covering roughly 99.9% of people. This means nearly everyone gets care with minimal out-of-pocket cost, and the system emphasizes prevention and equity. In fact, experts note Taiwan’s system is “efficient,” with universal coverage and a strong focus on preventive care. Patients enjoy modern hospital facilities and electronic health records, helping Taiwan earn a reputation for high patient satisfaction at low cost.

Universal single-payer – NHI covers virtually all citizens and residents.

Preventive focus – Health policy stresses screening and early treatment.

Tech-savvy system – Digital health records and telemedicine are widespread, keeping care efficient.


South Korea – High-Tech National Health Insurance


South Korea ranks #2 in 2024. It offers national health insurance (NHIS) to almost all citizens (about 97–100% coverage). The Korean health system is famed for its advanced medical technology – for example, it has among the highest numbers of MRI and CT scanners per capita in the world. This technology, combined with highly trained doctors, translates into excellent outcomes for conditions like cancers and heart disease. In fact, CEOWORLD highlights South Korea’s “advanced technology in healthcare and a strong national health insurance program” as key factors in its top ranking.

Nearly universal NHIS – Single-payer insurance provides extensive coverage to citizens.

State-of-the-art technology – 4th most MRI machines per capita; Korea leads in cancer survival rates.

Cost-efficient – South Korea spends relatively little (by OECD standards) for very high-quality care.

Australia – Medicare and Modern Infrastructure


Australia comes in at #3, thanks to its Medicare system. This is a universal, single-payer program funded by taxes (a 2% “Medicare levy” on income). All citizens and permanent residents get free or heavily subsidized hospital care and doctor visits under Medicare. The World Health Organization even ranks Australia’s health system high for efficiency; Australians enjoy excellent hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic equipment. CEOWORLD notes that “Australia’s ranking is supported by its excellent healthcare infrastructure and effective public health policies.” When needed, Australians can also choose private care (about half of people carry private insurance) to avoid waits, but public Medicare ensures no one is left out.

Tax-funded Medicare – Universal coverage of GP, specialist, and hospital services at low cost.

High-quality care – Top-tier hospitals and advanced diagnostics; WHO ranks it among the world’s most efficient systems.

Mixed public/private model – ~50% have private insurance to supplement Medicare, easing pressure on the public system.


Canada – Public Medicare and Quality Care


Canada ranks #4 with its Medicare system. Medicare is a publicly funded program (operated by each province) that covers physician and hospital care for all citizens and permanent residents. It was fully implemented by 1984, and today *“provides universal coverage to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents”*. Canadians typically pay no fees at the point of service for essential care. Historically, Canada’s healthcare has been *“regarded as one of the strongest in the world”*, with high life expectancy and survival rates. (One common critique is long waits for elective procedures, but overall access is guaranteed.) The CEOWORLD index reflects Canada’s combination of broad coverage and generally good outcomes.

Universal Medicare – All legal residents get free hospital and doctor care.

Highly regarded – Often ranked among the world’s best systems for access and outcomes.

Focus on prevention – Canada scores well on child immunizations, prenatal care, and primary care access.


Sweden – Tax-Funded Universal Care with High Access


Sweden appears at #5. Its system is tax-funded and universal – by law every legal resident is automatically covered. Care is largely public, managed by regional governments, ensuring no one is left out. The results are impressive: Sweden has the highest density of doctors in Europe (3.3 per 1,000 people) and some of the best cancer survival rates in the world. In short, “Sweden’s universal public healthcare system is one of the best in the world,” giving Swedes excellent life expectancy (around 79 for men, 83 for women). Preventive health (like cancer screenings and elderly care) is a particular priority.

Guaranteed coverage – Universal care for all residents by law.

High doctor availability – Sweden leads Europe in physicians per capita.

Excellent outcomes – Long life expectancy and high survival rates, thanks to focus on prevention and rehab.


Ireland – Reforming for Universal Access


Ireland is #6 on the list. It has a public Health Service Executive (HSE) system that provides healthcare to all residents, alongside a large private sector. The HSE guarantees basic care, and about 30% of people receive care for free (based on income or age). However, public hospitals are often crowded: long waits and overworked staff remain a challenge. Nearly half of Irish adults buy private insurance to get faster access to specialists and extra comfort. To address these issues, the government is rolling out Sláintecare, a major reform plan. Sláintecare aims to make Irish healthcare universal and free at the point of use by the mid-2020s, with more care delivered in local communities. For now, Ireland’s strength is its comprehensive coverage and improving infrastructure; reforms should further boost access and efficiency.

Broad coverage already – Nearly everyone is covered by public care (and private plans for extras).

Quality care with challenges – High-quality treatment is available, but waits for elective care can be long.

Major reform underway – The Sláintecare program is pushing Ireland toward fully universal, free healthcare.


Netherlands – Mandatory Insurance and Innovation


The Netherlands is #7. Its model is unique: all residents must buy health insurance from private insurers, but the government tightly regulates benefits and pricing. In this “managed competition” system, universal coverage is guaranteed by law. The mandatory private plans cover a comprehensive benefits package. The result is a healthcare sector that combines high quality with efficiency – Dutch hospitals are modern, costs are controlled (about 10% of GDP), and preventive care is strong. The Netherlands excels at quick access and high patient choice, often ranking near the top in international quality studies.

Compulsory insurance – Everyone must have a government-regulated private policy, ensuring full coverage.

Efficiency focus – Insurers negotiate costs (e.g. 70% of drugs are generics), keeping spending around 10% of GDP.

Top outcomes – Dutch residents enjoy long life expectancy and strong preventive care (e.g. maternal and child health).


Germany – Long-Standing Universal Insurance


Germany comes in at #8. Germany’s health system dates to the 1880s (Bismarck) and today it is mandatory for all. Citizens and permanent residents must have either statutory health insurance or approved private insurance – both systems guarantee a generous coverage package. In 2007 the system reached true universal coverage, and now everyone is covered for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and more. The result is one of the most robust healthcare sectors in Europe: Germany spends over 11% of GDP on health, has excellent hospital care and specialist medicine, and maintains high survival rates for many diseases. (German patients also benefit from early adoption of medical innovations.)

Bismarck model – Social insurance funds + optional private plans provide coverage to all.

Generous benefits – Comprehensive care (including dental and mental health) comes with low co-pays.

High investment – With ~11.5% of GDP on health, Germany has a large hospital network and advanced technology.


Norway – Tax-Financed Full Coverage


Norway is #9. Like Sweden, Norway offers universal coverage through a tax-funded National Insurance Scheme. All residents are automatically enrolled, and they pay modest copayments for doctor visits and medications (with annual caps). Local municipalities handle primary care, and the state provides hospital services – ensuring even remote communities get care. Norway’s system stresses patient rights and prevention; for example, preventive services and maternity care are free. The country achieves excellent health metrics (very high life expectancy and patient satisfaction) thanks to generous public funding and strong social support.

Universal National Insurance – Tax-funded coverage for all, with capped co-payments.

Strong welfare support – Extensive social programs (childcare, elderly care) work alongside health services.

Preventive emphasis – Almost all basic and preventive services are free, reflecting Norway’s commitment to healthy living.


Israel – Competing Nonprofits with Full Coverage



Rounding out the top 10 is Israel. Israel’s National Health Insurance Law (1995) guarantees that every citizen and permanent resident has health insurance. People choose among four nonprofit health plans, each of which must offer a mandated package of services (hospital, primary care, mental health, maternity, etc.). There are no deductibles for basic care, though co-pays apply to some specialist visits and drugs. This mixed system achieves universal coverage while encouraging innovation: Israel is known as a “Start-up Nation” for healthcare, pioneering telemedicine, digital records, and biotech startups. The CEOWORLD report notes Israel’s “innovative healthcare solutions and robust medical research environment” as strengths.

Mandatory national insurance – Universal coverage via competing nonprofit plans.

Comprehensive benefits – Hospital care, mental health, prescriptions, and more are covered for all.

Healthcare innovation – World-leading in medical tech and e-health, with high survival rates in many specialties.


In all these countries, a few common themes emerge: universal access, heavy investment in primary and preventive care, and continuous innovation. They balance public funding with efficient delivery, so that people get care when needed. Whether through single-payer systems (Taiwan, Canada), regulated insurance markets (Netherlands, Germany), or tax-based models (Sweden, Norway), each nation has found a path to high-quality care for its population.

Overall, these rankings remind us that good health systems share universal coverage, skilled professionals, and smart policy. Bookmark this guide for later – and share it to spread the word about what makes healthcare truly world-class!

Sources: The above rankings and country highlights are drawn from the CEOWORLD Magazine 2024 Health Care Index and expert analyses, as well as data from International Citizens Insurance and official health reports. (Readers can consult the original CEOWORLD report and country profiles for more detail.)


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