World Leaders
Based on the opinions of 15,131 adults from 33 countries, the 2026 Best Countries Index, compiled by the Wharton School of Business, ranks the countries that, according to researchers, offer the highest and lowest quality of life in the world.
The ranking highlights countries that, according to researchers, offer a good balance of safety, healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and public services, and also shows how much these opinions vary across different regions.
Sweden ranks first in the 2026 index, followed by Denmark and Canada. Sweden serves as the benchmark with a score of 100, while all other countries are indexed relative to their own scores.
The countries at the top of the ranking generally share similar characteristics: reliable government institutions, accessible healthcare, a high level of safety, and a strong sense of social trust. Together, these qualities have helped forge a reputation that extends far beyond their borders.
The results generally align with other international rankings. Finland has topped the World Happiness Report for nine consecutive years, while Denmark, Norway, and Sweden consistently rank among the world’s leaders in terms of well-being, social trust, and life satisfaction.
Overall, Europe dominates the ranking: 20 of the top 30 countries are located in this region. Germany ranks 9th on this list, China 26th—one spot above the United States (27).
Global Laggards
Protracted conflicts, weak institutions, and economic instability remain common features of many of the lowest-ranked countries, influencing how they are perceived around the world.
Ukraine ranks last on the index, demonstrating how war alters virtually every aspect of quality of life, from personal safety and healthcare to economic opportunities and public services. Iran and Lebanon round out the bottom three, reflecting the long-term consequences of protracted instability.
Romania is also on this list. It ranks 58th with 16.4 points (as a reminder, Sweden has 100, the Czech Republic—the worst among the top countries—has 32.3, and Ukraine has 0). Israel is in 63rd place (11.9 points).
Among the “best of the worst”: Turkey is in 33rd place, and Russia is in 39th.
The Republic of Moldova did not make it into this ranking.
