5 Countries with the Worst Healthcare 2025

The quality and accessibility of healthcare can vary dramatically around the world. Whilst many countries have made significant advancements in their medical provision, other regions continue to struggle with inadequate systems that don’t meet the needs of their population. Understanding these disparities is crucial for encouraging a global dialogue on health equality and the urgent need for reform.

We took the data from the most recent Numbeo Global Healthcare Index to find the countries with the worst healthcare systems in 2025.

To compile this data, Numbeo looked at 99 countries and compiled a healthcare index. Factoring in medical professionals, equipment, healthcare costs, infrastructure and resources, each nation was given a score of 0-100. The lower the score, the worse the healthcare system ranks. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find the full list.

Numbeo carry out this research twice a year, allowing for as accurate data capture as possible. At the time of writing, the second study had just concluded, and results are largely similar to what was discovered at the start of 2025.

The 5 worst healthcare systems in the world, according to Numbeo, are as follows:

Syria currently sits bottom of the global health index with a score of just 35.2. With conflict having severely disrupted the country, the healthcare system is in a state of turmoil. Access to basic health services remains a challenge, and facilities are overburdened due to the various displacements that have happened throughout the country.

Unfortunately, health facilities have often been targeted during conflict, too, and such incidents have led to a huge reduction in suitable and available amenities. In Northern Syria, for example, only 1 in 16 public hospitals is now fully functional, and it was widely expected that 68 health facilities across the country would run out of funding in the first half of 2025.

A large part of the issue actually stems from further afield. Cuts to funding from the USA have seen more than 150 health facilities across the country shut down.

In addition, an increasing risk of disease due to poor sanitation, unsuitable shelter, lack of access to safe water and overcrowding puts additional strain on an already faltering health system.

Next on the list is Venezuela. Scoring 39.6, it is currently the second-worst country in the world for healthcare on the Numbeo rankings. Once seen as one of the best countries for healthcare in Latin America, it is now in a state of disarray. With life expectancy declining, an exodus of healthcare professionals and limited access to care, the nation is struggling to provide what its population needs.

With many remote areas lacking basic healthcare services, and the major cities witnessing the impact of years of government underfunding, a healthcare crisis is spreading throughout the nation. A lack of access to medical supplies and medical professionals sees citizens struggling to get basic ailments treated. And where there are facilities and healthcare workers, the facilities they work in often lack running water and suitable conditions for treatment.

Bangladesh is the third-worst country for its healthcare system on the Numbeo rankings, scoring a 41.7. So poor is the healthcare system thought of by residents that a report in early 2025 informed us that over 450,000 people travel from Bangladesh to hospitals overseas for treatment each year.

The reasons for this high number vary, but previous reports have stated that inadequate facilities, long wait times and a lack of trust in the system have seen people find better options in India and Thailand.

At present, primary healthcare isn’t free for everyone in Bangladesh, meaning certain help is often unobtainable. Earlier this year, however, the Health Sector Reform Commission put forward a proposal to ensure that everybody has access to free healthcare. For reference, 74% of all health expenses in Bangladesh come directly from the patient rather than from insurance or central health finance.

Data from the World Health Organisation showed us that there were only 7 doctors per 10,000 people in Bangladesh, well below the recommended 22.8 doctors per 10,000 citizens. Furthermore, unregulated pharmacies and diagnostic centres distributing counterfeit drugs or supplying inaccurate results mean patient safety has often been compromised for cash.

Perhaps a surprise addition to the list is Montenegro. Healthcare in Europe is typically thought of as above average at the very least. Unfortunately for residents of Montenegro, it hasn’t yet been able to establish itself among the higher-ranking European countries.

Like other countries we have mentioned so far, Montenegro struggles with a lack of suitable healthcare professionals, but in addition, it has the challenge of corruption to contend with.

A 2023 CEMI report stated that many citizens feel the Montenegrin healthcare system is rife with corruption and, as a result, offers a poor quality of care.

To add a further pain point, for many, healthcare is simply unaffordable. Catastrophic health spending is higher in Montenegro than in many EU nations, with an estimated 9% of households having to make significant out-of-pocket payments for health expenses.

Add to all this, outdated hospitals, a lack of access in rural areas and a lack of governmental funds and the healthcare system struggles to meet the needs of the public.

Much like Syria, Iraq has been harmed by various levels of conflict over the past 20-30 years. This has, in turn, severely harmed the healthcare system. It still manages to offer both private and public healthcare; however, it is still some way off delivering the standards you’d hope to expect.

Excellent doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals are finding the lure of working abroad more attractive, draining the country of prime talent. This is in part due to working conditions, but also the state the healthcare system often finds itself in. Largely disorganised, with a hint of corruption and a significant lack of resources, it leaves healthcare workers disillusioned and patients unable to seek appropriate care.

The ten countries with the worst healthcare systems in the world according the latest Numbeo data can be found below:

When you move abroad, make sure you have access to the best possible care with international health insurance. Expatriate Group provides flexible, comprehensive health insurance policies designed specifically for expats. Get a quote today.