Why is Scandinavian healthcare so good?

Asked by: Dr. Cayla Doyle  |  Last update: January 1, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (11 votes)

Scandinavians pay a very small amount of money for healthcare, and what makes this possible is the public health insurance system financed by taxes. Collected tax revenues cover 75-85% of the costs. In Sweden, especially, there are patient co-payments and cost-sharing.

Why is Norway's healthcare system so good?

Norway: Norway has a universal healthcare system primarily funded through taxation. The government provides healthcare services to all residents, ensuring access regardless of income.

What makes Sweden's healthcare system so good?

The Swedish health care system has high public funding, universal coverage, an ambitious uptake of modern technologies and efforts to prevent unhealthy lifestyles. These attributes contribute to low levels of unmet needs, favourable health outcomes and good health status in the population compared with other countries.

Which country is #1 in quality healthcare?

The Legatum Prosperity Index 2023

According to the index, Singapore ranks first for healthcare, followed by Japan in second place and South Korea in third. In contrast, the United States ranks much lower, coming in at 69th place in this assessment. The full rankings are listed below.

Why are Scandinavian countries so healthy?

The habits and culture that people are surrounded by in Scandinavia encourage a healthy lifestyle, such as Nordics' love for nature and physical activity. The convenience foods that people from the U.S. are surrounded by do not incentivize a healthy lifestyle.

What experts say about who has the world's best health-care system | Opinion

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Why do Scandinavians have such good skin?

Hydration-Focused Skincare

When it comes to skincare, Scandinavian women put emphasis on hydration, both internally and externally. Drinking a lot of water is paramount, and the Nordic countries have some of the cleanest tap waters in the world.

What is the traditional Nordic diet?

Nordic diet staples include whole-grain cereals such as rye, barley, and oats; berries and other fruits; vegetables (especially cabbage and root vegetables like potatoes and carrots); fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring; and legumes (beans and peas).

Why does the US rank so low in healthcare?

Access to care was the US' weakest area, with the country placing last due to issues like high out-of-pocket costs and its 26 million uninsured individuals. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands and Germany excelled due to universal coverage and affordable care.

Which country has the best doctors in the world?

Here are the top 10 countries known to have the best doctors according to the World Population Review 2024:
  • United Kingdom. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • France. ...
  • Switzerland. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Italy. ...
  • Australia. ...
  • Austria. Often overshadowed by other countries, Austria has highly skilled doctors, particularly in rare diseases and palliative care.

How is Sweden's healthcare system compared to the United States?

The United States spends approximately 4993 USD annually per capita on public health care while Sweden spends about 4569 USD. However, compared to Sweden, the United States has a much greater emphasis on private health insurance and care.

What are the cons of the Swedish healthcare system?

While there are many pros to the healthcare system in Sweden, one of the few cons is wait times. Depending on your specific medical case, wait times can range from three to 90 days. Urgent cases are seen quickly, but non-urgent patients can wait a full week just to get an appointment.

How much does a doctor visit cost in Sweden?

If you visit a healthcare centre (vårdcentral) and are treated by a doctor, you should expect to pay between 100 and 300 kronor, with visits to Accident and Emergency (akuten) costing around 220 to 400 kronor, depending on region. If you're treated by a nurse instead of a doctor, you'll usually pay less.

Why is Sweden's life expectancy so high?

Sweden's dedication to environmental cleanliness plays a critical role in public health. The country boasts one of the highest rates of clean drinking water satisfaction and maintains low pollution levels, creating a healthy living environment that promotes longer life expectancy.

Why does Sweden have the best healthcare?

The “Swedish model” welfare system gives all Swedes access to publicly funded healthcare, unemployment and sick leave benefits, child care, education, and elder care, plus at least five weeks of paid vacation a year. Tax-financed healthcare is considered a basic right and vital to making society work effectively.

How does Norway afford free healthcare?

Health care in Norway is financed from direct taxes (mainly proportional income tax), indirect taxes, national social insurance contributions and private expenditure (OOP payments and VHI).

Why is Norway's quality of life so good?

One of the key factors contributing to Norway's high standard of living is its strong economy. The country has a very high GDP per capita, which is one of the highest in the world. This means that the average Norwegian enjoys a high level of income, which in turn allows them to enjoy a high standard of living.

Which country has most intelligent doctors?

The United States is home to some of the world's best doctors due to its rigorous medical education and training system, spanning 11-16 years. This lengthy process ensures a highly committed and passionate healthcare workforce, with individuals motivated by a genuine desire to provide high-quality medical services.

Does Germany have free healthcare?

Health insurance in Germany is compulsory and provided either through statutory health insurance (SHI) or substitutive private health insurance (PHI). In 2023, the SHI system consisted of 96 sickness funds (acting as third-party payers), covering around 89% of the population.

Which country has the richest doctors?

1. Luxembourg. Topping our list is Luxembourg, a small yet prosperous country known for its thriving economy and high standard of living. Doctors in Luxembourg enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world, along with excellent working conditions and ample opportunities for professional growth.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

What state is #1 in healthcare?

Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Iowa, and Connecticut are the top-ranked states according to the 2020 Scorecard, which assesses all 50 states and the District of Columbia on more than 45 measures of access to health care, quality of care, service use and costs of care, health outcomes, and income-based health care ...

How do Scandinavians stay slim?

The Nordic diet includes plant-based and seasonal foods, with lean protein and healthy fats. It has plenty of organic produce, so you just need to visit your local farmers' market. Canola oil provides the right amount of healthy fats and the sustainably caught fish will keep you satiated for a long time.

What was the Irish Viking diet?

Pigs were kept for their meat, and cattle, sheep and goats were sometimes eaten too, although these animals were more usually kept to produce dairy products like milk and butter. Readily available vegetables likely included turnips and shallots as well as beans, peas and goosefoot (a leafy plant similar to kale).