Story perspectives

Switzerland #1; US 18th, Japan Leads Health

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Switzerland secured #1 in the 2026 U.S. News Best Countries rankings, its first data-driven edition, leading Economic Development but ranking 15th in Infrastructure and Natural Environment.
Japan ranked second in Civic Health and fifth overall, posting the top mortality-longevity score while spending under half of U.S. health costs.
The United States placed 18th, leading Culture & Tourism and Economic Development but falling to 30s-40s in Health, Infrastructure and Civic Health.

History

Historical Context

In 1990 the UNDP Human Development Report, by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen, introduced the Human Development Index, a 0-1 composite of health, education and income, where values above 0.800 are high. Later editions added inequality-adjusted, subnational and planetary-pressures-adjusted HDI versions. The 2026 U.S. News Best Countries list follows model, ranking Switzerland first and Japan high in health, urging governments to improve HDI outcomes.

1 of 2

Story summary

Switzerland secured #1 in the 2026 U.S. News Best Countries rankings, its first data-driven edition, leading Economic Development but ranking 15th in Infrastructure and Natural Environment.
Japan ranked second in Civic Health and fifth overall, posting the top mortality-longevity score while spending under half of U.S. health costs.
The United States placed 18th, leading Culture & Tourism and Economic Development but falling to 30s-40s in Health, Infrastructure and Civic Health.

1 / 2