Top 10 Countries with the Best Healthcare Systems in the World

According to a 2017 report by Taiwan's health authorities, around 305,600 foreign nationals, including 33.17% from Asian countries, traveled to Taiwan for medical treatment, healthcare, and cosmetic surgery.

Taiwan's healthcare system ranks in the top 3 in Asia and holds a strong position in global markets. The medical staff are rigorously trained (8-10 years), with surgeons undergoing 2-6 years of practical training in the United States before practicing. Taiwan and Vietnam also share linguistic and historical ties, enhancing communication and understanding.

With state-of-the-art equipment and world-class medical treatment expertise, Taiwan is renowned for its top-tier healthcare services, including surgery, organ transplants, and liver replacement. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of patients seeking treatment in Taiwan for its high-quality medical care and health maintenance services. Here are six main advantages of Taiwan's healthcare system:

• High Quality: Taiwan has an internationally recognized healthcare system, ranked number 1 in Asia and 4th in the world since 1978.
• Affordable Costs: Taiwan offers competitive healthcare prices that are on par with European, American, and Japanese standards, with advanced technologies and a well-trained medical staff.
• Advanced Technology: Taiwan's healthcare system is equipped with the latest medical technologies, often surpassing those used in U.S. hospitals.
• Private Medical Facilities: Taiwan's healthcare centers maintain strict security and comfort, providing a relaxing environment for patients.
• Comprehensive Specialist Care: Taiwan offers a fully integrated healthcare system, combining Western and Eastern treatments, along with the latest diagnostic equipment tailored to each patient's needs.
• Professional Medical Team: Taiwan's healthcare system boasts a professional medical team, with 29.28 doctors and 71.02 hospital beds per 10,000 people, as per the 2018 Ministry of Health and Welfare report.

China has doubled its public hospital spending over the past five years, reaching approximately $38 billion. The government aims to build a $2.3 trillion healthcare industry by 2030—double the current value.

Just five years ago, China's healthcare sector was largely closed and of poor quality. Wealthy citizens could easily seek medical treatment abroad, but for the poor, serious health issues often meant death. Now, the world's second-largest economy is striving to become a country where people can access top-quality healthcare and medications at costs lower than anywhere else.

China has already caught up with the United States in some areas of public healthcare and is expected to surpass the patient-to-doctor ratio of the world’s largest economy. Facing pressure from its rapidly growing middle class, the Chinese government has set an ambitious goal: to offer the world’s most affordable healthcare, costing only a fraction of what people in other countries, especially the United States, pay.

To achieve this, China has doubled its investment in public healthcare over the last five years to $38 billion. The government plans to create a $2.3 trillion healthcare industry by 2030. Currently, China is investing billions into public hospitals and reforming its drug approval system. Some new medications and clinical trials are now being approved faster than in the U.S.

Israel is home to around 250 prominent healthcare tech startups, which are reshaping the global approach to healthcare delivery.

Recently, the HealthTech Fund conducted an extensive evaluation of Israel’s healthcare sector, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, to gain a comprehensive overview of its health startup landscape. The study surveyed 1,500 companies in the country’s healthcare industry, focusing on 250 leading startups with a combined seed capital of $6.5 billion, nearly 2% of Israel’s GDP. These startups operate across three main sectors: digital health (100 companies), medical devices (100 companies), and pharmaceuticals (50 companies). Among them, approximately 100 digital health startups raised $2.5 billion. In Israel, digital health has long been utilized to address issues such as monitoring elderly individuals after domestic accidents and extracting medical data from patients using natural language processing systems. The 100 startups in medical device technology surveyed had attracted nearly $3 billion in investment.

Norway's hospitals are among the best globally, offering everything from advanced science to stunning architecture, catering to a wide range of needs. However, when it comes to providing safe, efficient, and patient-centered care, Norway ranks last. Access to healthcare services is not always immediate, even though treatment costs are relatively low compared to the overall cost of living.

In 2014, healthcare spending accounted for 9.7% of Norway's GDP. While the country outperforms others in health outcomes, its childbirth processes still lag behind in some areas. Norway’s per capita healthcare cost is among the highest in the world. Treatment is not free, but there is a cap on the total amount an individual can pay annually for medical expenses.

Norway is home to renowned hospitals like the University Hospital of Northern Norway (UNN), which serves the regions of Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark. It is part of the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority, with a population of 465,000 people in the area.

According to Health Consumer Powerhouse, Ireland's healthcare system ranks 13th out of 34 European countries. The government has made significant investments in developing world-class healthcare services, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and modern medical technology.

Iceland has demonstrated a strong commitment to public health, with over a third of its population receiving free healthcare. The public hospitals in Iceland are owned and funded by the Health Service Authority (HSE) and are equipped with the latest medical equipment and facilities. These hospitals offer a comprehensive range of services, including emergency care and pharmaceutical services.

In addition to the government-funded public hospitals, Iceland also has independent private hospitals operated by private organizations. These private hospitals account for about 14% of the total, primarily treating private patients. The quality of care provided by these private hospitals is comparable to the public hospital system, although patients are responsible for paying all medical costs associated with treatment.

The country is divided into seven healthcare districts, each with one or more healthcare facilities that offer general services, such as primary care, nursing home services, and multi-specialty hospital care.

Sweden, like other Nordic countries, is not only known for its stunning landscapes that attract tourists, but also ranks high in global quality of life and health indexes. The Swedish healthcare system is primarily funded by the government, though private healthcare services also exist. The healthcare system is largely supported by taxes. In 2018, the government allocated approximately 78.4 billion SEK (about 217 trillion VND) for the public healthcare system. For example, since 2019, most Swedish municipalities and cities have subsidized dental care for all residents under the age of 23. In addition, comprehensive services such as nursing care for the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill, rehabilitation for discharged patients, and school health management are essential components of the system.

Sweden ranks among the top 5 countries globally for the lowest infant mortality rates. The average life expectancy is also among the highest in the world. Swedish men, for instance, have the fourth-highest life expectancy globally, with an average age of 80.7 years. Sweden's tap water is also considered among the safest in the world. According to the European Health Consumer Index (EHCI) ranking in 2016, Sweden was placed 12th among European countries with the best healthcare systems.

In addition to its breathtaking natural beauty and a thriving economy, the people of Switzerland enjoy outstanding health, having nearly everything that citizens of any country could hope for. Switzerland offers universal healthcare services. Each canton in Switzerland is responsible for licensing providers, coordinating hospital services, and assisting with individual insurance premiums. Notably, every citizen is required by law to enroll in comprehensive health insurance, ensuring access to thorough healthcare for everyone.

The healthcare costs in Switzerland are among the highest in the world, but the results are exceptional compared to other European nations. Patients in Switzerland generally report a very high level of satisfaction with the system. In 2012, life expectancy at birth was the highest globally, with 80.4 years for men and 84.7 years for women. Healthcare spending is notably high at 11.4% of GDP (2010), which is on par with Germany and France (11.6%) and other European nations.

Singapore boasts an efficient healthcare system overall, despite its relatively low medical costs compared to other developed nations. The World Health Organization ranked Singapore’s healthcare system 6th in its 2000 World Health Report. For the past two decades, it has had the world’s lowest infant mortality rate. As of 2012, the average life expectancy in Singapore is 83 years, compared to the global average of 70. Almost the entire population has access to improved water and sanitation conditions. Women in Singapore can expect to live an average of 87.6 years, with 75.8 of those years in good health, while the average for men is slightly lower. Singapore ranks 1st on the Global Food Security Index.

The government’s healthcare framework in the Lion City is based on the "3M" system. This includes Medifund, a safety net for those unable to afford healthcare; Medisave, a mandatory national medical savings account system covering about 85% of the population; and Medishield, a government-funded health insurance program. Public hospitals in Singapore have considerable autonomy in their management decisions and compete for patients, though they are still government-owned, with boards and CEOs appointed by the government. A subsidy program is in place for low-income individuals. In 2008, 32% of healthcare services were government-funded, accounting for about % of Singapore’s GDP.

The healthcare services in Japan are of exceptional quality, with an average life expectancy of 83.7 years. The hardworking and disciplined lifestyle of the Japanese, along with their balanced diet, has contributed to the highest life expectancy in the world. This factor has led to Japan having one of the oldest populations globally.

Healthcare services in Japan are primarily provided by both the central and local governments. The costs for these services, which are regulated by a government-appointed council, are covered by a nationwide health insurance system that is fair and accessible to all citizens. Those who prefer not to use insurance from their workplace can opt for the national health insurance programs managed by local governments. Since 1973, all elderly citizens have been provided with free health insurance, with patients having the freedom to choose healthcare facilities that best suit their needs.

South Korea offers a well-integrated healthcare system that combines cutting-edge medical technology with effective treatment methods. Despite having high-tech healthcare, the costs for medical procedures in South Korea are relatively low. For example, treating heart and musculoskeletal diseases costs only one-third of the price in the United States and two-thirds of the cost in Japan. South Korea’s medical technology is highly competitive in terms of affordability and ranks among the highest in the OECD. The country is ranked second for healthcare services and fourth for medical technology, while also excelling in the global healthcare industry. The rise of Korean pop culture, including K-pop, K-beauty, and K-fashion, has greatly boosted South Korea’s medical tourism sector, turning it into one of the leading global destinations for healthcare travel.

South Korea also boasts some of the most advanced medical equipment globally. In liver transplantation, the country performed a total of 1,066 procedures as of 2010. The surgery requires high expertise, and South Korea has a remarkable success rate of 96%, the highest in the world, far exceeding the global average of 88%.

Healthcare facilities in South Korea are classified into three levels, based on the number of specialties and the scale of medical infrastructure:

• Level 1 Healthcare Facilities: These include private hospitals and public medical centers. They are limited to basic specialties and offer primary care services for common health issues.

• Level 2 Healthcare Facilities: These hospitals are staffed by leading medical professionals, such as professors or top specialists, and have at least four separate departments to provide comprehensive care, including inpatient services. They typically have between 30 to 500 beds and offer 24/7 emergency services.

• Level 3 Healthcare Facilities: These large hospitals or university-affiliated centers are equipped with over 500 beds and provide highly specialized care for emergency and complex conditions. Access to these hospitals typically requires a referral from a Level 1 or Level 2 facility. Without a referral, patients must pay for their medical services out of pocket, making it more expensive than visiting lower-tier facilities.