Cities with the Best Healthcare 2025 (Top 303 Cities)

The standard of healthcare services differs markedly among cities across the globe, profoundly influencing the quality of life and overall well-being of their inhabitants.

Numbeo recognized as the largest global repository for cost-of-living data, annually publishes healthcare performance indices that yield valuable comparative insights into the effectiveness and accessibility of medical services worldwide.

The 2025 Health Care Index reveals significant patterns in global healthcare excellence, with Asian cities dominating the top positions.

What makes a city rise to the top in healthcare?

This deep dive into the data unpacks the numbers, spotlights trends, and uncovers the unique features of cities that are getting it right.

Top 10 Cities for Healthcare in 2025

The Numbeo Health Care Index for 2025 presents a clear picture of global healthcare excellence, with a strong Asian presence at the top of the rankings.

The sustained excellence of Taiwan’s urban healthcare systems highlights the structural strengths that have kept them among the top global performers year after year.

• Kaohsiung, Taiwan (88.6) – Takes the top position with the highest healthcare score globally
• Taipei, Taiwan (86.7) – Ranks second, demonstrating Taiwan’s consistent healthcare superiority.
• Chiang Mai, Thailand (85.0) – Highlighting Thailand’s strong healthcare system, It shares the third position.
• Makati, Philippines (85.0) – Equal third, representing an impressive showing for the Philippines
• Seoul, South Korea (83.0) – Completes the Asian dominance of the top five positions

The remaining top ten positions showcase European cities, particularly from the Netherlands:

• The Hague, Netherlands (80.7) – Tied for sixth Place
• Rotterdam, Netherlands (80.7) – Also scoring 80.7 points
• Utrecht, Netherlands (80.6) – Ranking eighth with a nearly identical score
• Valencia, Spain (80.0) – Spain’s highest-ranking city
• Vienna, Austria (80.0) – Tied with Valencia at 80.0 points

This distribution reveals an interesting pattern: Asian cities dominate the top positions, while European cities, particularly Dutch ones, form a strong cluster in the upper echelon of healthcare quality. The narrow margin between these top European cities (80.0-80.7) suggests comparable healthcare standards across these urban centers1.

Regional Distribution of Top Healthcare Cities

When analyzing the geographical distribution of cities with excellent healthcare, distinct patterns emerge that provide valuable insights for healthcare policymakers and urban planners.

Asian Excellence

The dominance of Asian cities in healthcare quality represents a significant achievement:

• Five of the top 10 cities are in Asia (Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, and South Korea)
• Taiwan places two cities in the top positions (Kaohsiung and Taipei)
• The impressive 88.6 score for Kaohsiung is the highest recorded in the 2025 index
• Tokyo, Japan ranks 18th with a score of 79.2, contributing to Asia’s strong showing

This strong performance aligns with country-level data, where Taiwan has maintained the top position in the Numbeo Health Care Index by Country for seven consecutive years, scoring 86.5 in 2025. South Korea (82.8) and Japan (80.0) follow in second and third positions respectively at the country level.

European Representation

European cities show remarkable consistency in healthcare quality:

• The Netherlands places four cities in the top 20 (The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven)
• The Netherlands ranks fourth globally at the country level with a score of 79.3
• European nations with strong city representation include Spain, Austria, Belgium, and Finland.
• The close scoring among European cities suggests standardized healthcare approaches across the continent.

Notable Underrepresentation

While the top 40 includes diverse geographical representation, some regions show limited presence:

• Only one U.S. city appears in the top 26 (Cleveland at 26th with 78.5)
• Australia’s highest entry is Gold Coast at 25th (78.6)
• South American representation begins with Cuenca, Ecuador at 17th (79.3)
• African cities are absent from the top 40.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years

The 2025 rankings reveal interesting shifts compared to previous iterations of the Numbeo Health Care Index.

Consistent Performers

Several cities demonstrate remarkable stability in healthcare excellence:

• Taipei maintained its position near the top, scoring 86.7 in 2025 compared to 87.0 in early 2025 and 86.4 in 2023
• Chiang Mai has consistently ranked in the top 5, scoring 85.0 in 2025 compared to 84.1 in 2023
• Seoul shows consistent performance, with an 83.0 score in 2025, similar to its 82.6 rating in 2023

Notable Climbers

Some cities have significantly improved their healthcare rankings:

• Kaohsiung has risen to claim the top position in 2025 with 88.6 points.
• Makati has entered the top tier with an 85.0 score.
• Liverpool shows impressive gains, reaching 23rd Place with 78.9 points in 2025 compared to lower positions previously.

Declining Positions

Not all cities maintained their relative standings:

• Gold Coast, Australia ranked 3rd in 2023 with 84.9 points but has dropped to 25th Place (78.6) in 2025.
• Trondheim, Norway was 5th in 2023 (82.6) but is not in the top 40 for 2025.
• Several North American cities have seen relative declines in their global positions.

Statistical Analysis of Healthcare Excellence Factors

The Numbeo Health Care Index evaluates several components contributing to overall quality.

Key Determinants of High Healthcare Scores

Multiple factors:

• Healthcare Infrastructure: Prominent cities are known for their advanced medical facilities and technology.
• Healthcare Professional Density: Per capita Doctors, nurses and specialists strongly correlate with superior healthcare performance.
• Affordability: The interplay between healthcare affordability that influences overall healthcare scores.
• Patient Satisfaction: Patient care quality significantly impacts healthcare rankings.

Performance Patterns Among Top Cities

Statistical analysis reveals common characteristics among leading healthcare cities:

• High Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure.
• Strong Presence of Medical Universities and Research Institutions.
• Access to Cutting-Edge Medical Technology.
• Health Workforce Expertise and Public & Private Sector Collaboration.

Netherlands: A Case Study in Healthcare Excellence

It presents a notable case study in healthcare consistency, with four cities in the top 20 globally that deserve closer examination.

Dutch Healthcare Model

The Netherlands healthcare success is due to several factors:

• A universal healthcare insurance system that combines public and private elements
• Mandatory health insurance with regulated competition among private insurers
• Strong emphasis on primary care through the general practitioner (GP) system
• Focus on preventive care and health promotion.
• Efficient referral systems that optimize specialist care

Dutch Cities in the Rankings

Dutch cities showcase remarkable consistency in healthcare quality:

• The Hague (80.7), Rotterdam (80.7), and Utrecht (80.6) rank 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively
• Eindhoven places 20th with a score of 79.0
• Groningen completes the Dutch presence at 40th position (76.4)
• The narrow scoring range (76.4-80.7) suggests national standardized quality.

The Netherlands ranks fourth globally with a score of 79.3, highlighting excellent national healthcare policies.

Asian Healthcare Dominance: Analysis and Implications

The remarkable performance of Asian cities, particularly Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand, represents one of the most significant findings in the 2025 rankings.

Taiwan’s Healthcare Excellence

Taiwan’s consistent dominance deserves particular attention:

• It placed first in the Numbeo country-level healthcare index for seven consecutive years.
• In 2025, Taiwan scored 86.5 at the country level, slightly higher than its 2024 score of 86.0.
• This excellence translates to city performance, with Kaohsiung (88.6) and Taipei (86.7) claiming the top two Places.
• It also leads in the Health Care Exp Index which emphasizes favorable aspects of healthcare systems.

Factors Behind Asian Success

Several elements contribute to the strong performance of Asian healthcare systems:

• Integrated Technology – Advanced technological implementation in healthcare delivery
• Universal Coverage – Comprehensive national health insurance systems
• Efficiency – Streamlined administrative processes and care pathways
• Cultural Factors – Strong emphasis on preventive care and healthcare compliance
• Public Investment – Substantial government commitment to healthcare infrastructure

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has highlighted its “world-class medical expertise” that serves its “democratic society & friends worldwide.”

North American Healthcare Cities: Comparative Analysis

The relatively modest showing of North American cities in the 2025 rankings contrasts sharply with Asian and European performance.

U.S. Cities in the Rankings

American cities show a scattered distribution in the rankings:

• Cleveland, Ohio ranks highest at 26th position (78.5).
• Baltimore, Maryland appears at 39th (76.4).
• Several other U.S. cities, including Minneapolis and Indianapolis, appear lower in the extended rankings.

This performance contrasts with economic indicators, suggesting that healthcare excellence doesn’t necessarily correlate with economic development alone. The nature of the U.S. healthcare system may contribute to inconsistent city-level performance.

Canadian Representation

Canadian cities show more consistent performance than their American counterparts:

• Edmonton ranks 33rd with a score of 77.2.
• Other Canadian cities like Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto appear in the extended rankings.
• Canada’s universal healthcare system may contribute to more standardized quality across cities.

Factors Affecting Healthcare Rankings

Studying the methodological considerations behind Numbeo’s rankings provides context for interpreting the results.

Number Methodology

The Numbeo Health Care Index employs a specific approach:

• Website visitors who rate healthcare quality in their countries.
• Including factors such as healthcare professionals, equipment, staff, doctors, and costs, evaluate the “overall quality of the healthcare system.”
• The Health Care Exp Index emphasizes positive aspects more significantly “through an exponential increase while also emphasizing the native aspects more significantly.”
• Rankings are updated periodically, providing a snapshot at specific points in time.

Statistical Considerations

When interpreting these rankings, several factors should be considered:

• Sample Bias – Survey respondents may not represent the entire population
• Subjective Elements – Personal experiences influence ratings
• Urban Focus – Rankings primarily reflect urban healthcare rather than rural access
• Temporal Limitations – Snapshots at specific times may miss ongoing developments

Future Trends and Projections

Based on current patterns and historical trends, several future developments are likely in global healthcare rankings.

Emerging Healthcare Hubs

Several regions show potential for improved healthcare performance:

• Southeast Asian Cities – Following Thailand’s success model
• Eastern European Centers – Building on investments in healthcare infrastructure
• Middle Eastern Urban Areas – Leveraging economic resources for healthcare development

Technological Impact

Technological advancements will likely influence future rankings:

• Telemedicine adoption may equalize access across regions
• AI integration in diagnostics could improve efficiency and accuracy
• Digital health records may streamline care coordination

Here is a full list of the Cities with the Best Healthcare 2025:

Rank	City	Health Index
1	Kaohsiung, Taiwan	88.6
2	Taipei, Taiwan	86.7
3	Chiang Mai, Thailand	85
4	Makati, Philippines	85
5	Seoul, South Korea	83
6	The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands	80.7
7	Rotterdam, Netherlands	80.7
8	Utrecht, Netherlands	80.6
9	Vienna, Austria	80
10	Valencia, Spain	80
11	Gent, Belgium	79.9
12	Helsinki, Finland	79.9
13	Madrid, Spain	79.8
14	Antwerp, Belgium	79.8
15	Guadalajara, Mexico	79.5
16	Porto, Portugal	79.4
17	Cuenca, Ecuador	79.3
18	Tokyo, Japan	79.2
19	Leeds, United Kingdom	79.1
20	Eindhoven, Netherlands	79
21	Glasgow, United Kingdom	78.9
22	Amsterdam, Netherlands	78.9
23	Liverpool, United Kingdom	78.9
24	Medellin, Colombia	78.7
25	Gold Coast, Australia	78.6
26	Cleveland, OH, United States	78.5
27	Bursa, Turkey	78
28	Frankfurt, Germany	77.9
29	Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom	77.8
30	Oslo, Norway	77.8
31	Paris, France	77.6
32	Munich, Germany	77.4
33	Bangkok, Thailand	77.2
34	Edmonton, Canada	77.2
35	Copenhagen, Denmark	77
36	Queretaro (Santiago de Querétaro), Mexico	76.8
37	Stuttgart, Germany	76.7
38	Qingdao, Shandong, China	76.7
39	Groningen, Netherlands	76.4
40	Baltimore, MD, United States	76.4
41	Luxembourg, Luxembourg	76.3
42	Brno, Czech Republic	76.3
43	Barcelona, Spain	76.3
44	Vilnius, Lithuania	76.2
45	Edinburgh, United Kingdom	76.1
46	Lyon, France	76.1
47	Bologna, Italy	76
48	Bergen, Norway	75.8
49	Hamilton, Canada	75.4
50	Hamburg, Germany	74.9
51	Sydney, Australia	74.8
52	Prague, Czech Republic	74.6
53	Nizhny Novgorod, Russia	74.5
54	Kaunas, Lithuania	74.5
55	Tallinn, Estonia	74.5
56	Brisbane, Australia	74.5
57	Trondheim, Norway	74.4
58	Manchester, United Kingdom	74.4
59	Pattaya, Thailand	74.4
60	Bern, Switzerland	74.3
61	Adelaide, Australia	74.1
62	Toronto, Canada	74
63	Haifa, Israel	73.9
64	Brussels, Belgium	73.8
65	Madison, WI, United States	73.7
66	Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel	73.7
67	Calgary, Canada	73.6
68	Jacksonville, FL, United States	73.6
69	Lausanne, Switzerland	73.5
70	Doha, Qatar	73.4
71	Melbourne, Australia	73.4
72	Izmir, Turkey	73.2
73	Pittsburgh, PA, United States	73.1
74	Lisbon, Portugal	72.9
75	Honolulu, HI, United States	72.9
76	Cologne, Germany	72.8
77	Boston, MA, United States	72.7
78	Kansas City, MO, United States	72.7
79	Canberra, Australia	72.6
80	Dusseldorf, Germany	72.6
81	Antalya, Turkey	72.6
82	Jaipur, India	72.5
83	Bristol, United Kingdom	72.4
84	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	72.4
85	Jerusalem, Israel	72.3
86	Kelowna, Canada	72.2
87	Perth, Australia	72.1
88	Birmingham, United Kingdom	72
89	Singapore, Singapore	71.8
90	Colombo, Sri Lanka	71.8
91	Vancouver, Canada	71.8
92	Stavanger, Norway	71.8
93	Belfast, United Kingdom	71.7
94	Cambridge, United Kingdom	71.6
95	Basel, Switzerland	71.6
96	Minneapolis, MN, United States	71.5
97	Indianapolis, IN, United States	71.4
98	Boise, ID, United States	71.4
99	Timisoara, Romania	71.4
100	Portland, OR, United States	71.1
101	Cordoba, Argentina	71.1
102	Seattle, WA, United States	70.9
103	Malaga, Spain	70.8
104	Milan, Italy	70.7
105	Christchurch, New Zealand	70.7
106	Columbus, OH, United States	70.7
107	Washington, DC, United States	70.4
108	Geneva, Switzerland	70.3
109	Split, Croatia	70.2
110	Philadelphia, PA, United States	70.2
111	Istanbul, Turkey	70.1
112	Quito, Ecuador	70.1
113	Mississauga, Canada	69.9
114	Ankara, Turkey	69.9
115	Dubai, United Arab Emirates	69.7
116	Houston, TX, United States	69.6
117	Chennai, India	69.6
118	London, United Kingdom	69.6
119	Oklahoma City, OK, United States	69.5
120	Beijing, China	69.4
121	Zurich, Switzerland	69.4
122	Auckland, New Zealand	69.2
123	Charlotte, NC, United States	69.2
124	Coimbatore, India	69.1
125	Quebec City, Canada	69
126	Denver, CO, United States	69
127	Gothenburg, Sweden	69
128	Cape Town, South Africa	68.8
129	Monterrey, Mexico	68.8
130	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	68.8
131	Montevideo, Uruguay	68.6
132	Reykjavik, Iceland	68.5
133	Ottawa, Canada	68.5
134	Salt Lake City, UT, United States	68.4
135	Villach, Austria	68.3
136	San Antonio, TX, United States	68.3
137	Raleigh, NC, United States	68.3
138	Winnipeg, Canada	68.3
139	Malmo, Sweden	68.2
140	Buenos Aires, Argentina	68.2
141	Austin, TX, United States	68.2
142	Cincinnati, OH, United States	68
143	San Diego, CA, United States	67.9
144	Sacramento, CA, United States	67.7
145	Manama, Bahrain	67.7
146	Ahmedabad, India	67.7
147	Florence, Italy	67.6
148	Berlin, Germany	67.5
149	Noida, India	67.5
150	Kaliningrad, Russia	67.5
151	Moscow, Russia	67.4
152	Windhoek, Namibia	67.4
153	Genoa, Italy	67.3
154	Guangzhou, China	67.3
155	London, Canada	67.3
156	Curitiba, Brazil	67.2
157	Rijeka, Croatia	67.2
158	Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan	67.2
159	Atlanta, GA, United States	67
160	Phoenix, AZ, United States	66.9
161	Tampa, FL, United States	66.8
162	Ljubljana, Slovenia	66.7
163	San Jose, CA, United States	66.6
164	Pretoria, South Africa	66.5
165	Regina, Canada	66.3
166	Delhi, India	66.2
167	Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China)	66.1
168	Dallas, TX, United States	66.1
169	Mexico City, Mexico	66.1
170	Turin, Italy	66
171	Spokane, WA, United States	66
172	Stockholm, Sweden	65.9
173	Halifax, Canada	65.9
174	Cluj-Napoca, Romania	65.8
175	Victoria, Canada	65.8
176	Bogota, Colombia	65.8
177	Pune, India	65.7
178	Santiago, Chile	65.5
179	Hyderabad, India	65.5
180	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	65.5
181	Mumbai, India	65.4
182	Chicago, IL, United States	65.3
183	Kitchener, Canada	65.3
184	Amman, Jordan	65.2
185	Bangalore, India	65.2
186	Shanghai, China	65.2
187	Gurgaon, India	65.1
188	Wellington, New Zealand	64.9
189	Zagreb, Croatia	64.9
190	Beirut, Lebanon	64.9
191	San Francisco, CA, United States	64.8
192	Belo Horizonte, Brazil	64.7
193	Trieste, Italy	64.5
194	Porto Alegre, Brazil	64.5
195	Lahore, Pakistan	64.2
196	Muscat, Oman	64.2
197	Saskatoon, Canada	63.9
198	Recife, Brazil	63.9
199	Milwaukee, WI, United States	63.8
200	Varna, Bulgaria	63.8
201	Kochi, India	63.7
202	Guatemala City, Guatemala	63.7
203	Rome, Italy	63.6
204	Miami, FL, United States	63.4
205	Shenzhen, China	63.3
206	Asuncion, Paraguay	63.1
207	New York, NY, United States	62.9
208	Chandigarh, India	62.9
209	Islamabad, Pakistan	62.8
210	Nairobi, Kenya	62.8
211	Thiruvananthapuram, India	62.8
212	Albuquerque, NM, United States	62.8
213	Nanaimo, BC, Canada	62.6
214	Reno, NV, United States	62.5
215	Manila, Philippines	62.5
216	Detroit, MI, United States	62.4
217	San Jose, Costa Rica	62.4
218	San Juan, Puerto Rico	62.3
219	Nashville, TN, United States	62.1
220	Mangalore, India	62
221	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	62
222	Montreal, Canada	61.9
223	New Orleans, LA, United States	61.9
224	Saint Petersburg, Russia	61.6
225	Los Angeles, CA, United States	61.3
226	Campinas, Brazil	61.3
227	Tucson, AZ, United States	61.3
228	Lviv, Ukraine	61.1
229	Florianopolis, Brazil	60.7
230	Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina	60.7
231	Jeddah (Jiddah), Saudi Arabia	60.7
232	Orlando, FL, United States	60.7
233	Cebu, Philippines	60.7
234	Riga, Latvia	60.5
235	Johannesburg, South Africa	60.2
236	Sao Paulo, Brazil	60.1
237	Kolkata, India	60
238	Panama City, Panama	59.5
239	Yerevan, Armenia	59
240	Naples, Italy	59
241	Krakow (Cracow), Poland	58.9
242	Durban, South Africa	58.6
243	Sofia, Bulgaria	58.5
244	Debrecen, Hungary	58.5
245	Kuwait City, Kuwait	58.3
246	Warsaw, Poland	58.2
247	Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine	58.2
248	Athens, Greece	58.1
249	Thessaloniki, Greece	58.1
250	Lima, Peru	58
251	Wroclaw, Poland	57.4
252	Jakarta, Indonesia	57.2
253	Algiers, Algeria	57.2
254	Accra, Ghana	57.1
255	Tunis, Tunisia	57.1
256	Poznan, Poland	57
257	Novosibirsk, Russia	56.8
258	Karachi, Pakistan	56.7
259	Nicosia, Cyprus	56.6
260	Hanoi, Vietnam	56.5
261	Iasi, Romania	56.3
262	Cork, Ireland	56.3
263	Bratislava, Slovakia	55.4
264	Kathmandu, Nepal	55.3
265	Bucharest, Romania	55
266	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic	54.9
267	Tbilisi, Georgia	54.7
268	Skopje, North Macedonia	54.4
269	Dnipro, Ukraine	53.9
270	Yekaterinburg, Russia	53.9
271	Las Vegas, NV, United States	53.7
272	Tehran, Iran	53.3
273	Belgrade, Serbia	53
274	Brasov, Romania	52.7
275	Budapest, Hungary	52.3
276	Brasilia, Brazil	51.8
277	Chisinau, Moldova	51.8
278	Kingston, Jamaica	51.4
279	Dublin, Ireland	51.3
280	Limassol, Cyprus	51.3
281	Odessa (Odesa), Ukraine	51
282	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	50.8
283	Gdansk, Poland	50.8
284	Almaty, Kazakhstan	50
285	Novi Sad, Serbia	50
286	Minsk, Belarus	49.3
287	Kharkiv, Ukraine	49.2
288	Nis, Serbia	48.9
289	Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago	48.8
290	Galway, Ireland	48.3
291	Rabat, Morocco	48.1
292	Baku, Azerbaijan	47.7
293	Lagos, Nigeria	47.5
294	Tirana, Albania	47.1
295	Banja Luka, Bosnia And Herzegovina	46.8
296	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	46.2
297	Cairo, Egypt	45.7
298	Alexandria, Egypt	45.3
299	Casablanca, Morocco	44.9
300	Dhaka, Bangladesh	40.2
301	Damascus, Syria	38.3
302	Caracas, Venezuela	38.1
303	Baghdad, Iraq	35

Conclusion

The 2025 Numbeo Health Care Index provides valuable insights into global healthcare excellence at the city level.

The dominance of Asian cities, particularly from Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand represents a significant achievement and challenges traditional assumptions about healthcare development.

The cities at the top of the 2025 index offer models that others can study and potentially adapt to their contexts, ultimately improving healthcare quality for urban populations worldwide.

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