Switzerland has been ranked as the fourth best country in the world for social progress in 2022, with the country scoring highly for its access to basic knowledge, sanitation, access to information and personal rights. The country also scored first overall in terms of its healthcare system. 

Switzerland and the 2022 Social Progress Index

The Social Progress Index measures the amount of social progress made in each country over the past year. While social progress and economic development are not necessarily equated with one another, there is certainly a link between the two that is explored by the index. The index therefore focuses on data relating to issues from racial equality to healthcare and many issues in between, but emits purely economic data such as GDP or average salaries.

The methodology behind the index splits indicators into three categories: Basic Human Needs (such as nutrition, sanitation, shelter and safety), Foundations of Wellbeing (such as access to basic knowledge, access to information and communications, health and wellness and environment quality), and Opportunity (rights, freedoms, inclusivity and access to higher education). Countries are then compared across these metrics to see where social progress is the most advanced. 

Switzerland scores highly for Foundations of Wellbeing

Switzerland scored especially well for the Foundations of Wellbeing category of the index. The country’s healthcare system played a large role in this, butSwitzerland's school system was also key. The amount of young people in Switzerland not attending school is relatively low and the equality of access to education for children who are born in Switzerland is among the best in the world. 

The highest ranked country in the world for social progress in 2022 was Norway, followed by Denmark and Finland. These Nordic nations impressed the index’s creators with their access to and equality of education as well as having strong healthcare systems and low levels of corruption. 

Best and worst of the 2022 Social Progress Index

The best countries in 2022 for social progress are:

• 1. Norway
• 2. Denmark
• 3. Finland
• 4. Switzerland
• 5. Iceland 
• 6. Sweden
• 7. Netherlands
• 8. Germany
• 9. Japan
• 10. Canada

The worst countries for social progress in 2022 are:

• 1. South Sudan 
• 2. Central African Republic 
• 3. Chad
• 4. Eritrea
• 5. Somalia
• 6. Afghanistan
• 7. Yemen 
• 8. Guinea
• 9. Democratic Republic of Congo
• 10. Burundi

For the full index, or more information about how the data was gathered, visit the Social Progress Index webpage. 

Image: Shutterstock.com / Kollawat Somsri