What makes a country a truly comfortable place to live? The authors of the Best Countries 2026 ranking, prepared by the Wharton School of Business, sought to answer this question. The study is based on a survey of 15,131 adult respondents from 33 countries and reflects people’s perceptions of where the highest quality of life is provided today.

When compiling the ranking, perceptions of factors such as safety, the level of healthcare and education, economic opportunities, the quality of public services and social infrastructure were taken into account, Naked Science reports. At the same time, the study demonstrates how strongly these assessments differ across regions of the world.

Sweden took first place in the 2026 ranking, narrowly ahead of Denmark and Canada.

Overall, the ranking is confidently led by European countries: 20 of the top 30 nations are located in Europe.

The study covers 85 countries that meet the established criteria in terms of GDP volume, inflow of foreign direct investment, tourism development, or level of human development. Sweden, which received an index score of 100, was taken as the benchmark, and the indicators of the other countries were calculated relative to its result.

The countries occupying the top positions in the ranking share similar features: effective public institutions, an accessible healthcare system, a high level of public safety, and significant trust among citizens in one another and in the authorities. These qualities are precisely what have shaped their strong international reputation as the most favorable places to live.

The results largely coincide with other authoritative international studies. For example, Finland has ranked first in the World Happiness Report for the ninth consecutive year, while Denmark, Norway, and Sweden consistently rank among the global leaders in well-being, social trust, and life satisfaction.

Countries with the lowest quality of life. The states at the bottom of the ranking are characterized by the same problems: protracted armed conflicts, weak public institutions, and economic instability. These factors largely determine their international perception.

Ukraine ranked last in the ranking. It was followed by Iran and Lebanon, where prolonged political and economic instability continues to negatively affect the population’s standard of living.

The study emphasizes that economic power alone is no longer enough to create the image of a country with a high quality of life. Today, the global benchmarks are countries that are able to ensure the effective functioning of public institutions, accessible healthcare, safety, a developed social support system, and a high level of public trust.