Countries with the healthiest young people
- Belgium is the country with the healthiest young people, with a strong life expectancy and low youth smoking rates.
- Youth smoking and alcohol consumption rates are particularly low in Turkey, despite high mortality from air pollution.
- Countries like Finland and Singapore show great youth health outcomes, though differing in factors like alcohol consumption.
The rise of illnesses and infectious diseases across the world, like a 13% rise in tuberculosis cases in the UK, highlights the importance of strong healthcare systems and overall generational health. A recent study by CasinooftheKings ranked the top ten countries with the healthiest young people. This analysis measures factors like life expectancy, healthcare index, smoking and alcohol rates, and mortality from environmental risks. Scores were assigned based on these metrics, with normalization for factors like mortality per 100K to provide an objective comparison.
Here is the summary of the findings:
| Country | Life Expectancy | Healthcare Index | Youth smoking rate | Youth alcohol rate | Young people in good health | Mortality due to air pollution, per 100K | Mortality due to unsafe WASH, per 100K | Score |
| Belgium | 82.27 | 75.60 | 11.10% | 7.40% | 91% | 15.3 | 5.3 | 86.10 |
| Israel | 82.73 | 73.30 | 13.70% | 7% | 91.40% | 15.1 | 2 | 82.77 |
| Turkey | 77.42 | 71.10 | 7.80% | 3.40% | 83.50% | 45.3 | 2.5 | 81.38 |
| Norway | 83.46 | 76.00 | 2% | 46.40% | 83% | 7.9 | 3.6 | 80.29 |
| Finland | 82.08 | 77.50 | 6.50% | 45% | 82% | 7.4 | 0.8 | 77.85 |
| Singapore | 83.86 | 71.90 | 2.30% | 47.10% | 78.50% | 23.4 | 8.5 | 77.53 |
| Estonia | 79.31 | 75.90 | 14.10% | 15% | 88% | 12.8 | 2.6 | 77.16 |
| Spain | 83.8 | 77.70 | 15.20% | 32.30% | 91% | 10.1 | 3.2 | 76.78 |
| New Zealand | 82.25 | 68.60 | 4.20% | 50.90% | 96.50% | 12.2 | 2.1 | 76.66 |
| Australia | 84.07 | 73.10 | 11.10% | 31% | 90% | 9.8 | 1.9 | 76.25 |
Belgium ranks first with a score of 86.10. The country’s young people benefit from a life expectancy of 82.27 years, a strong healthcare index of 75.60, and low youth smoking at 11.10% and alcohol consumption at 7.40% rates. Despite challenges from moderate air pollution mortality of 15.3 per 100K people, Belgium’s youth health outcomes remain among the best.
Israel comes in second with a score of 82.77. Young people in Israel enjoy an overall healthcare index of 73.30. While the youth smoking rate (13.70%) is slightly higher than Belgium’s, Israel’s environmental health indicators, particularly in air pollution mortality at 15.1, are still relatively favorable.
Turkey is in third place, earning a score of 81.38. Despite facing a higher mortality rate from air pollution at 45.3, Turkey stands out for just 7.80% of its youth smoking and 3.4% consuming alcohol. These healthier habits give Turkey an edge in youth health despite environmental challenges.
Norway is the fourth country with the healthiest young people, scoring 80.29. The country has a high life expectancy of 83.46 years, but its youth face the highest alcohol consumption rate in the study at 46.40%, impacting overall health. However, the country has strong environmental measures, with air pollution and sanitation risks staying low.
Finland occupies the fifth position with a score of 77.85. Finnish people enjoy a long life expectancy of 82 years, but the high youth alcohol rate of 45% affects their health score. Nonetheless, Finland benefits from a low mortality rate due to safe water and good air quality.
Singapore comes in sixth as one of the countries with the healthiest young people, with a score of 77.53. The country’s life expectancy is one of the highest at 83.86 years, but its youth health is limited by high alcohol consumption at 47.10% and a relatively low percentage of young people in good health at 78.50%.
Estonia follows in seventh with a score of 77.16. The country has a life expectancy of 79.31 years, with the youth smoking rate of 14.10% and alcohol consumption at 15% remaining low, compared to other countries in the list. While having lower mortality rates from environmental factors, these lifestyle choices contribute to Estonia’s position in the middle of the rankings.
Spain is in eighth place with a score of 76.78. 91% of Spanish youth are in good health. However, the country faces challenges with youth alcohol consumption reaching 32.30% and a moderate mortality rate due to air pollution.
New Zealand is ninth with a score of 76.66. With a life expectancy of 82.25 years and one of the highest percentages of youth in good health at 96.50%, New Zealand excels in these areas. Still, the country faces the highest youth alcohol rate at 50.90% in the study.
Australia rounds out the top ten of the countries with the healthiest young people, with a score of 76.25. Despite having the highest life expectancy of 84.07 years, Australia struggles with high youth smoking rates at 11.10% and alcohol consumption rates at 31%. Environmental mortality rates are relatively low, but lifestyle factors hinder Australia’s overall youth health standing.
A spokesperson from CasinooftheKings commented on the study: “Youth health is increasingly shaped not just by access to care or longevity, but by lifestyle behaviors and environmental conditions. Countries balancing low substance use among young people, high rates of self-reported good health, and minimal environmental risk see the strongest outcomes, highlighting that even with excellent healthcare systems, youth wellbeing hinges on prevention, clean environments, and sustainable habits.”