Qatar has made its mark in the healthcare industry again. The country has secured a spot among the world’s top 20 healthcare systems for 2026. It has repeated history by holding the 18th rank in the latest Health Care Index released by Numbeo. With the same ranking but a slightly better score, Qatar’s long-term healthcare strategy continues to deliver.
Qatar Ranks Among World’s Top 20 Healthcare Systems Again In 2026
In 2026, Qatar’s healthcare score rose from 73.4 to 73.6, as mentioned in a report by Peninsula Qatar. That may sound minimal, but in global rankings, this surge matters. Qatar is the only country across the Middle East and Africa to feature in the global top 20 of this healthcare index.
It has expanded its hospital capacity, workforce, and improved service delivery. Investments have flowed into modern medical equipment, preventive care programmes, food safety systems, and international accreditation standards.
How The World’s Top Performers Compare
At the top of the Health Care Index 2026 sit:
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- Japan
- Austria
- Ecuador
- Finland
- Thailand
- Denmark
- Spain
- France
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Norway
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- Luxembourg
- Qatar
- Israel
- United Kingdom
These countries remain global leaders, driven by strong public health systems and deep-rooted medical infrastructure.
Qatar’s position shows how competitive the index has become across the Middle East.
Regional Context
Taking a closer look at the home region.
- United Arab Emirates ranked 28th
- Oman ranked 53rd
- Saudi Arabia also ranked 53rd
- Kuwait ranked 66th
Strong Showing In Healthcare Spending Too
Qatar also ranked 19th in the Health Care Expenditure Index 2026, scoring 134.2 points. Once again, it was the only country from the Middle East and Africa to place in the top 20.
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A Note On The Data
Numbeo bases its indices on user-contributed data and public perception. The platform remains one of the most widely referenced global comparison tools, offering a useful snapshot of how healthcare systems are experienced on the ground, and Qatar stands as proof of it.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/ Elnur
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