Canada is one of the best countries to live in, but some countries rank higher on overall quality of life in major international rankings (according to 2026 data).
Netherlands
The Netherlands often appears in the top places of the rankings of countries with the best quality of life. There are several reasons for this. It has one of the best-developed infrastructure systems in the world.
Netherlands has some of the best cycling routes in the world. Purchasing power is strong and Dutch society is extremely organized, with social amenities built into the fabric of everyday life.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg consistently ranks as one of the best countries in the world for quality of life and for good reason. It has a stable economy and citizens have some of the highest average wages.
Luxembourg takes many measures to make life convenient for its citizens, including free public transportation available to every citizen nationwide. With low crime rates and a strong, high-quality healthcare system, Luxembourg is a safe place to live where citizens can thrive.
Oman
Ranking 4th in the world in 2026, Oman has shown great achievement in creating a safe and stable environment for its residents. It ranks very high for safety, affordable health care and social equality.
Coupled with low taxation on high-skilled workers and lower costs of living than most Western countries, Oman has positioned itself as a high-ranking country for livability.
Denmark
Danish citizens enjoy some of the highest living standards in the world, supported by prudent public finances and solid labor markets. Denmark has among the lowest levels of inequality in the world and places a great emphasis on family policies.
Denmark’s major long-term weaknesses are population aging and the country’s low elevation, making it susceptible to climate change.
Switzerland
Switzerland continues to rank among the highest in the world in quality of life rankings. Switzerland’s strong economy and very low crime rates give Swiss people a high buying power and allow them to benefit from an extremely clean environment and excellent infrastructure.
Switzerland is one of the few countries that truly offers the best of both worlds when it comes to balancing an ultra-competitive economy with a climate conducive to an outdoorsy lifestyle.
Finland
This year, for the ninth time in a row, Finland was named the world’s happiest country. Finland ranks highly on trust and predictability. Finns can live their lives without stress because they know their public services will work and won’t let them down.
They work hard, but they have subsidized family services that allow for plenty of downtime. The internet is fast even outside cities, and everyone has access to nature, no matter which city they live in.
Austria
Austria ranks extremely high in its offering of culture, feeling safe and its reliable healthcare system. There are downsides like bureaucracy and expensive housing prices. However, this downside is balanced with great municipal care and overall quality of public goods that is very high by global standards.
It manages to remain a top country for living because of its efficient, safe and high-end atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere, especially in metropolitan areas such as Vienna.
Iceland
Located in Europe, Iceland was ranked as the world’s safest country in 2026. Iceland maintains a culture of social equality and freedom while having one of the most transparent governments.
Contributing factors to Iceland being ranked the safest country are its access to free universal healthcare for all citizens, lack of military, strong education system and small population where everyone holds each other accountable.
Germany
Germany scores well when it comes to mixing industrial power with high-quality public goods. From public transportation to healthcare and housing, Germans appreciate their well-oiled system.
The housing market can be somewhat pricey and competitive, but Germany understands the value in keeping a good quality of life for their cost of living when compared to other Western countries.
Norway
Ranked as one of the most desired countries to live in, Norway offers citizens some of the highest salaries in the world, strong workers’ rights, and an extensive social welfare system subsidized by Norway’s massive sovereign wealth fund.
Citizens pay a high cost of living but consider it worthwhile for Norway’s prestigious public services, fantastic work-life balance, and clean and safe cities. Living in Norway allows one to take advantage of the breathtaking outdoors. Norway also provides great gender equality and free education for its citizens.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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