Canada ranks first in universal healthcare coverage, says WHO report

Canada has been ranked the best country for universal healthcare coverage by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its 2024 report. Canada scored 91 out of 100, surpassing countries like Iceland, South Korea, and Singapore, which each scored 89. The WHO evaluated 194 countries based on health indicators, including maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and access to services. The report highlights significant global inequalities, with some countries, like South Sudan and Somalia, scoring much lower. Since 2015, global improvements in health service coverage have stagnated. In 2021, about 4.5 billion people lacked full access to essential health services, and out-of-pocket expenses pushed millions into extreme poverty.