Cleanliness isn’t simply a fashion statement; it’s also a health benefit. Human health may be greatly improved by ensuring that drinking water, air, and waste are handled properly and by ensuring that proper Sanitation is in place.
Air pollution-related disorders, such as respiratory and cardiovascular disease, are less common in nations with good air quality ratings, lowering the risk of exposure to dangerous particles such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Non-communicable illnesses account for 72 percent of all fatalities in countries with high pollution levels, 16 percent of which are due to toxic pollution.
The EPI is an index of environmental performance.
In a joint effort with the World Economic Forum, Yale and Columbia’s researchers analyzed the cleanliness and environmentally friendly nature of 180 countries. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) was devised to attain this goal (EPI).
The Environmental Performance Index measures two main policy goals, ecosystem vitality and environmental health, which considers 32 performance indicators across 11 different categories. Sustainable development and environmental quality are also included in this list.
The cleanest nations are rated first, while the worst are placed last. Each country’s environmental policies and progress toward those objectives may be quickly assessed for quick comparison.
The World’s Cleanest Countries – 2020 EPI Ranking
- Denmark – 82.5
- Luxembourg – 82.3
- Switzerland – 81.5
- United Kingdom – 81.3
- France – 80
- Austria – 79.6
- Finland – 78.9
- Sweden – 78.7
- Norway – 77.7
- Germany – 77.2
1. Denmark
Denmark is the most ecologically friendly and cleanest nation in 2020, with an overall EPI score of 82.5. The excellent rankings that Denmark has in areas such as wastewater treatment (100), waste management (99.8), and the Species Protection Index set it apart (100).
Climate change mitigation and reduction measures are among the world’s most extensive and successful. Danish hotels, boats, and cuisine are becoming environmentally friendly or powered by solar energy, demonstrating the country’s commitment to sustainability.
2. Luxembourg
Despite the country’s fast population and GDP expansion, Luxembourg has achieved tremendous progress in decreasing its environmental footprint.
As a whole, Luxembourg’s overall score is 82.3, but the country’s results in Sanitation, Drinking Water, and Pollution Emissions are even more excellent (100). With fewer than 600,000 people, Luxembourg is a mostly rural country with abundant woods and several natural parks.
3. Switzerland
A score of 81.5 gives Switzerland third place in the world for overall cleanliness. Switzerland’s Drinking Water (100) and Sanitation (100) scores were the highest globally and tied to Denmark’s Species Protection Index score of 100.
Switzerland is recognized for its pristine water and abundance of animals.
4. United Kingdom
With an EPI of 81.3, the United Kingdom is ranked as the fourth-cleanest nation in the world. With a population of 66.52 million people, this is an excellent result.
A flawless score for drinking water, Sanitation, & pollution emissions are all that separate the United Kingdom from the rest of Europe.
5. France
In terms of environmental quality, France ranks sixth in the world with an EPI of 80. The vast majority of France’s energy comes from nuclear power, which greatly reduces carbon emissions and helps the country achieve a flawless pollution emissions score of 100.
In France, hydro turbines along its rivers and a restriction on retailers discarding unneeded, excellent food are among its environmental measures.
6. Austria
Austria is the sixth-cleanest nation in the world, with an EPI of 79.6. Pesticide and fertiliser laws in Austria are among the most severe in the world, and the country’s ecosystems are among the most healthy.
Some of Europe’s most stringent air pollution, chemical, and waste management regulations may be found in Vienna’s Austrian capital. About two-thirds of Austria is covered in lush woods and pastures.
7. Finland
This nation, Finland, is the seventh-cleanest of all Nordic countries. An estimated 35% of Finland’s energy is derived from clean, renewable sources.
Environmental health (99.3) and air quality (98.8) are perfect 100s in Finland, as are Sanitation and drinking water and exposure to heavy metals. Forests and animals are also protected throughout the nation.
8. Sweden
The EPI score for Sweden is 78.7. Sweden and Australia are tied for the second-cleanest air in the world, thanks to Sweden’s low carbon dioxide emissions and the usage of renewable energy sources across the nation.
Sweden, meanwhile, is committed to the environment, and the nation has boosted its greenery while protecting tens of thousands of acres of forest.
9. Norway
9th in the world, Norway’s EPI is 77.7. With a Sanitation and Drinking Water score of 100 percent and an Air Quality score of 97.9 percent, it ranks seventh in the world. In terms of environmental health, Norway ranks second in the world, after only Finland.
Almost all of Norway’s power comes from renewable sources. The government’s goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by the end of the decade following that year.
Also See: Carbon Negative Countries 2022
10. Germany
Germany is the tenth-cleanest nation in the world, yet it is also the most technologically sophisticated.
While it ranks fourth in Biodiversity and Habitat, it has an EPI score of 77.2. Through eco-friendly measures and investments in sustainability, Germany is embarking on a renewable energy revolution.
Country | EPI Score | 10 Year Change |
---|---|---|
Denmark | 82.5000 | 7.3000 |
Luxembourg | 82.3000 | 11.6000 |
Switzerland | 81.5000 | 8.6000 |
United Kingdom | 81.3000 | 9 |
France | 80 | 5.8000 |
Austria | 79.6000 | 5.4000 |
Finland | 78.9000 | 6 |
Sweden | 78.7000 | 5.3000 |
Norway | 77.7000 | 7.6000 |
Germany | 77.2000 | 1.2000 |
Netherlands | 75.3000 | 1.5000 |
Japan | 75.1000 | -0.5000 |
Australia | 74.9000 | 5.5000 |
Spain | 74.3000 | 8.6000 |
Belgium | 73.3000 | 2.1000 |
Ireland | 72.8000 | 2.9000 |
Iceland | 72.3000 | 0.4000 |
Slovenia | 72 | 4.6000 |
New Zealand | 71.3000 | 1.8000 |
Czech Republic | 71 | 4 |
Canada | 71 | 3.7000 |
Italy | 71 | 1.1000 |
Malta | 70.7000 | 11.6000 |
United States | 69.3000 | 2.9000 |
Greece | 69.1000 | 3.4000 |
Slovakia | 68.3000 | 3.9000 |
Portugal | 67 | 4 |
South Korea | 66.5000 | 2.2000 |
Israel | 65.8000 | 5.2000 |
Estonia | 65.3000 | 4.3000 |
Cyprus | 64.8000 | 6.3000 |
Romania | 64.7000 | 8.1000 |
Hungary | 63.7000 | 3.3000 |
Croatia | 63.1000 | 13.4000 |
Lithuania | 62.9000 | 5.2000 |
Latvia | 61.6000 | 5 |
Poland | 60.9000 | 1.1000 |
Seychelles | 58.2000 | 14.8000 |
Singapore | 58.1000 | -8.4000 |
Taiwan | 57.2000 | 4.6000 |
Bulgaria | 57 | 4.2000 |
United Arab Emirates | 55.6000 | 11.3000 |
North Macedonia | 55.4000 | 2.2000 |
Chile | 55.3000 | 3.7000 |
Serbia | 55.2000 | 7 |
Brunei | 54.8000 | 2 |
Kuwait | 53.6000 | 12.8000 |
Jordan | 53.4000 | 11.2000 |
Belarus | 53 | 2.3000 |
Colombia | 52.9000 | 0.9000 |
Mexico | 52.6000 | 7.4000 |
Costa Rica | 52.5000 | 1 |
Armenia | 52.3000 | 4.5000 |
Argentina | 52.2000 | 5 |
Brazil | 51.2000 | 4.9000 |
Bahrain | 51 | 17.3000 |
Ecuador | 51 | 3.9000 |
Russia | 50.5000 | 3.9000 |
Venezuela | 50.3000 | -0.5000 |
Ukraine | 49.5000 | 0.7000 |
Uruguay | 49.1000 | 1 |
Albania | 49 | 10.2000 |
Antigua and Barbuda | 48.5000 | 3.3000 |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 48.4000 | 6.1000 |
Cuba | 48.4000 | 0.8000 |
Jamaica | 48.2000 | 2 |
Iran | 48 | 9.1000 |
Malaysia | 47.9000 | 4.4000 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 47.5000 | 10.7000 |
Panama | 47.3000 | 3.3000 |
Tunisia | 46.7000 | 6.4000 |
Azerbaijan | 46.5000 | 4 |
Paraguay | 46.4000 | -4.9000 |
Montenegro | 46.3000 | 7.3000 |
Dominican Republic | 46.3000 | 3 |
Gabon | 45.8000 | 4.4000 |
Barbados | 45.6000 | 0.9000 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 45.4000 | 10.9000 |
Lebanon | 45.4000 | 1.1000 |
Thailand | 45.4000 | 4.1000 |
Suriname | 45.2000 | -7.1000 |
Tonga | 45.1000 | 2.4000 |
Mauritius | 45.1000 | 6.2000 |
Algeria | 44.8000 | 0.5000 |
Kazakhstan | 44.7000 | 9 |
Dominica | 44.6000 | 1.1000 |
Moldova | 44.4000 | -2.3000 |
Bolivia | 44.3000 | -0.3000 |
Uzbekistan | 44.3000 | 3.1000 |
Peru | 44 | -0.8000 |
Saudi Arabia | 44 | 6.4000 |
Turkmenistan | 43.9000 | 8.4000 |
Bahamas | 43.5000 | -2.4000 |
Egypt | 43.3000 | 7.7000 |
Grenada | 43.1000 | 5.4000 |
Saint Lucia | 43.1000 | -1.4000 |
El Salvador | 43.1000 | 5.6000 |
South Africa | 43.1000 | 8.5000 |
Turkey | 42.6000 | 2.1000 |
Morocco | 42.3000 | 13.3000 |
Belize | 41.9000 | -2 |
Georgia | 41.3000 | -1.3000 |
Botswana | 40.4000 | -1.1000 |
Namibia | 40.2000 | 9.1000 |
Kyrgyzstan | 39.8000 | -1.9000 |
Iraq | 39.5000 | 0.2000 |
Bhutan | 39.3000 | -9.6000 |
Nicaragua | 39.2000 | 0.1000 |
Sri Lanka | 39 | -0.6000 |
Oman | 38.5000 | 11 |
Philippines | 38.4000 | -4.1000 |
Malawi | 38.3000 | -2.6000 |
Burkina Faso | 38.3000 | 6.9000 |
Tajikistan | 38.2000 | -0.7000 |
Equatorial Guinea | 38.1000 | 9.6000 |
Honduras | 37.8000 | 6.5000 |
Indonesia | 37.8000 | 4.1000 |
Kiribati | 37.7000 | 6.2000 |
Sao Tome and Principe | 37.6000 | 5.3000 |
Samoa | 37.3000 | -3.9000 |
China | 37.3000 | 8.4000 |
Qatar | 37.1000 | -4.8000 |
Zimbabwe | 37 | -7.3000 |
Central African Republic | 36.9000 | -3.9000 |
DR Congo | 36.4000 | -0.4000 |
Guyana | 35.9000 | -6.4000 |
Maldives | 35.6000 | 6.7000 |
Uganda | 35.6000 | 1.8000 |
Timor-Leste | 35.3000 | -3 |
Laos | 34.8000 | -2.8000 |
Sudan | 34.8000 | 8.4000 |
Zambia | 34.7000 | -7.3000 |
Kenya | 34.7000 | |
Fiji | 34.4000 | -2.6000 |
Ethiopia | 34.4000 | 0.2000 |
Mozambique | 33.9000 | 5.3000 |
Eswatini | 33.8000 | -1.6000 |
Rwanda | 33.8000 | -1.5000 |
Cambodia | 33.6000 | -0.2000 |
Cameroon | 33.6000 | 1.5000 |
Vietnam | 33.4000 | 5.4000 |
Pakistan | 33.1000 | 6.1000 |
Micronesia | 33 | -4.8000 |
Nepal | 32.7000 | -8.1000 |
Papua New Guinea | 32.4000 | 7.7000 |
Mongolia | 32.2000 | -7.6000 |
Comoros | 32.1000 | -1.2000 |
Guatemala | 31.8000 | -0.3000 |
Tanzania | 31.1000 | 1.7000 |
Nigeria | 31 | 3.6000 |
Marshall Islands | 30.8000 | 1.1000 |
Republic of the Congo | 30.8000 | -1.5000 |
Niger | 30.8000 | -8.1000 |
Senegal | 30.7000 | -2.7000 |
Eritrea | 30.4000 | -3.7000 |
Benin | 30 | 2.7000 |
Angola | 29.7000 | 5.3000 |
Togo | 29.5000 | -2.1000 |
Mali | 29.4000 | -3.3000 |
Guinea-Bissau | 29.1000 | -0.9000 |
Bangladesh | 29 | -0.1000 |
Vanuatu | 28.9000 | -11.9000 |
Djibouti | 28.1000 | 2.3000 |
Lesotho | 28 | -1 |
Gambia | 27.9000 | 3.6000 |
Mauritania | 27.7000 | 0.3000 |
Ghana | 27.6000 | -4.4000 |
India | 27.6000 | |
Haiti | 27 | 4.2000 |
Burundi | 27 | -11.1000 |
Solomon Islands | 26.7000 | -2 |
Chad | 26.7000 | -0.9000 |
Madagascar | 26.5000 | -6.6000 |
Guinea | 26.4000 | -4.2000 |
Ivory Coast | 25.8000 | -8.5000 |
Sierra Leone | 25.7000 | 0.7000 |
Afghanistan | 25.5000 | 5 |
Myanmar | 25.1000 | -1.2000 |
Liberia | 22.6000 | -3.7000 |