Best countries for environmental quality
Ranked by GeoCompass Environmental Quality Index — environmental livability factors that sit alongside cost and infrastructure in relocation decisions. Iceland leads with 9.44 / 10, ahead of Svalbard (9.40 / 10) and Sark (9.37 / 10). This view ranks 205 scored jurisdictions.
Methodology: rankings use the GeoCompass objective scores only. They do not include profile-specific dimensions such as visa fit or time zone fit.
Jurisdictions with a geopolitical stability score below 3.8 / 10 (active conflict or state fragility) are not ranked in this list. They appear without a rank below the table, and their scores stay visible on their country profiles.
What the Environmental Quality Index measures
The Environmental Quality Index measures the environmental conditions that affect a resident's health over time. It weighs air pollution levels, water quality, ecosystem health, and exposure to environmental hazards. Unlike climate comfort, which is about how the weather feels, this is about what you breathe and drink and the long-term health load that comes with it.
It is easy to overlook until air quality becomes a daily concern. A country can be sunny and affordable yet carry real pollution costs that build up over years. Use the ranking to protect your long-term health, and read it next to the WeatherComfort Index, which covers climate rather than environmental quality.
Ranking table
| Rank | Flag | Country | Environmental Quality Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 9.44 / 10 | |
| 2 | Svalbard | 9.40 / 10 | |
| 3 | Sark | 9.37 / 10 | |
| 4 | Norway | 9.35 / 10 | |
| 5 | Finland | 9.34 / 10 | |
| =6 | Sweden | 9.33 / 10 | |
| =6 | Greenland | 9.33 / 10 | |
| =8 | Falkland Islands | 9.31 / 10 | |
| =8 | Pitcairn Islands | 9.31 / 10 | |
| 10 | Faroe Islands | 9.30 / 10 | |
| 11 | New Zealand | 9.24 / 10 | |
| 12 | Australia | 9.21 / 10 | |
| 13 | Alderney | 9.12 / 10 | |
| 14 | Denmark | 9.08 / 10 | |
| 15 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 9.06 / 10 | |
| 16 | Andorra | 9.01 / 10 | |
| 17 | Estonia | 9.00 / 10 | |
| 18 | Canada | 8.95 / 10 | |
| 19 | Saint Helena | 8.93 / 10 | |
| 20 | Ireland | 8.92 / 10 |
Below the stability floor: 27 jurisdictions with scores but no rank
These jurisdictions sit below the 3.8 / 10 geopolitical stability floor (active conflict or state fragility), so they are listed without a rank. Their scores are shown here for transparency and stay fully visible on their country profiles.
- Russia7.43 / 10geo 1.67 / 10
- Belarus7.18 / 10geo 2.44 / 10
- Ukraine7.03 / 10geo 1.65 / 10
- Venezuela6.72 / 10geo 3.34 / 10
- Iran5.96 / 10geo 2.75 / 10
- Haiti5.90 / 10geo 2.50 / 10
- Lebanon5.83 / 10geo 3.01 / 10
- Palestinian Territories5.68 / 10geo 1.34 / 10
- Democratic Republic of the Congo5.48 / 10geo 1.00 / 10
- Myanmar5.47 / 10geo 1.18 / 10
- Central African Republic5.31 / 10geo 1.00 / 10
- Libya5.20 / 10geo 1.48 / 10
- Burundi5.19 / 10geo 3.73 / 10
- Syria5.11 / 10geo 1.00 / 10
- Eritrea4.96 / 10geo 3.74 / 10
- Iraq4.89 / 10geo 2.94 / 10
- Burkina Faso4.85 / 10geo 3.28 / 10
- Ethiopia4.84 / 10geo 3.48 / 10
- South Sudan4.69 / 10geo 1.13 / 10
- Somalia4.59 / 10geo 1.00 / 10
- Mali4.56 / 10geo 1.46 / 10
- Niger4.18 / 10geo 2.56 / 10
- Yemen4.10 / 10geo 1.00 / 10
- Afghanistan4.10 / 10geo 1.06 / 10
- Pakistan4.05 / 10geo 3.12 / 10
- Sudan4.05 / 10geo 1.00 / 10
- Chad3.60 / 10geo 2.76 / 10
Top five spotlight
#1Iceland9.44 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index: 9.44 / 10 — Exceptional environmental quality index
- Open Society Index: 9.29 / 10 — Exceptional open society index
#2Svalbard9.40 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index: 9.40 / 10 — Exceptional environmental quality index
- SafetyShield Index: 9.23 / 10 — Exceptional safety and stability
#3Sark9.37 / 10
- GeoStability Index: 9.66 / 10 — Exceptional geostability index
- Tax Freedom Index: 9.63 / 10 — Exceptional tax freedom
#4Norway9.35 / 10
- Open Society Index: 9.49 / 10 — Exceptional open society index
- Environmental Quality Index: 9.35 / 10 — Exceptional environmental quality index
#5Finland9.34 / 10
- Currency Stability Index: 9.50 / 10 — Exceptional currency stability index
- Admin Ease Index: 9.44 / 10 — Minimal day-to-day bureaucracy
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Environmental Quality Index measure?
Air pollution, water quality, ecosystem health, and exposure to environmental hazards, the conditions that affect a resident's health over the long term.
How is this different from WeatherComfort?
WeatherComfort is about how pleasant the climate feels. Environmental Quality is about pollution and ecosystem health, which affect your health rather than your comfort.
Why weight this for a long stay?
Because environmental exposure adds up. Air and water quality have a cumulative effect on health that matters more the longer you stay.
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Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.