Global Attitudes To Health: Lifestyle & Habits Worldwide

According to a British Council survey, more than 70% of young Brits would consider living and working in another country in pursuit of a better quality of life.

Socioeconomic challenges are driving this interest. Nearly two-thirds of people (63%) believe that their standard of living is worse than it was for their parents, and over half (55%) find low wages to be the biggest challenge faced by young people in employment.

For many, this sparks a desire to move abroad in search of a healthier, more balanced way of life. Whether you’re weighing up lifestyle, healthcare access, or wellbeing factors, this article will help you understand which countries offer the best opportunities for healthy living.

Why health and lifestyle matter when moving abroad

With financial pressures shaping so many decisions, it’s no surprise that young people are looking beyond paychecks alone. Quality of life — including healthcare access, physical wellbeing, diet, and opportunities for a healthier lifestyle — is often just as important when choosing where to live and work abroad.

In fact, health and lifestyle are often central to decisions about where to relocate. Some destinations are known for their active populations, affordable gyms, or world-class healthcare systems, while others offer food cultures that make eating well simple and enjoyable.

Where do young people want to move abroad?

When surveyed about where they’d most like to relocate, young people in the UK favoured a diverse mix of destinations:

• Australia – 24%
• USA – 23%
• Canada – 22%
• Italy – 22%

With preferences spread across different continents, factors such as lifestyle, health insurance, and overall wellbeing are clearly influencing decision-making.

Uncovering the healthiest lifestyles worldwide

We’ve delved into the data to highlight the countries offering the healthiest lifestyles. Our analysis covers:

1. Government healthcare expenditure
2. Physical activity levels
3. Average sleep per night
4. Cost of gym memberships
5. Availability of vegan and vegetarian restaurants

Alongside the rankings, we’ve also included expert advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle when relocating abroad – whether it’s your first or fourth time moving overseas.

Which countries have the healthiest lifestyles?

New Zealand is the best country for expats seeking a healthier life

1/ New Zealand

Healthy Lifestyle Score: 8.38/10

If a healthy lifestyle is an important consideration for you, then New Zealand could be the best choice. The Kiwi lifestyle ranks highly across all of our factors, earning an overall score of 8.38 out of 10. New Zealand ranks especially high for its number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, cheap monthly memberships, and sleeping times.

New Zealand’s publicly funded healthcare system provides free or subsidised treatment. Its government also actively promotes preventative health measures, like healthy eating and physical activity, which can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Programs like the Healthy Families NZ initiative aim to educate families to improve their health. 

Kiwis also have a strong connection to nature, with its beautiful landscape providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Hiking, cycling, and watersports are fantastic ways to appreciate the scenery whilst being active. According to the World Health Organisation, adults between 18 and 64 should get at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, and this is certainly the case for New Zealanders, with around four out of five Kiwis hitting this minimum target.

2/ Netherlands

Healthy Lifestyle Score: 6.88/10

The Netherlands takes second place with a score of 6.88 out of 10. The biggest reason for the Netherlands’ second-place ranking is its physical activity levels. Nine out of 10 adults get over 150 minutes of physical activity every week, the second-highest out of any country on our list. 

Much of this is down to the nation’s cycling culture. Millions of Dutch residents use bikes for daily transport, supported by government investment in dedicated cycling lanes and secure parking that make riding both safe and accessible.

Exercise and diet go hand in hand when it comes to a healthy lifestyle, and Dutch people epitomise this. According to the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey, people in the Netherlands are eating more fibre and less salt and sugar.

This shift is reflected in the country’s thriving food scene. With almost 30 vegan or vegetarian restaurants per 100,000 people, the Netherlands ranks among the top 10 countries for plant-based dining options.

3/ Germany

Healthy Lifestyle Score: 6.88/10

With a score of 6.88 out of 10, Germany shares second place with the Netherlands. Germany’s government’s healthcare expenditures are one reason that it is considered a healthy place to live, reaching 11.8% of its GDP, the third-highest on our list. 

Public health policy also plays a major role in Germany’s attitudes towards health. Since 2008, the IN FORM national action plan has worked to instil healthy habits from a young age, promoting balanced diets and regular physical activity across schools and communities.

German eating habits reflect this top-down focus on well-being, with many people adopting healthy habits, including eating dishes with fresh produce and high-quality ingredients. Like in the Netherlands, Germany’s restaurant scene caters to a growing demand for healthier, more plant-based dining options, offering around 24 vegan and vegetarian restaurants per 100,000 people.

German citizens are also extremely active, with just 12% of adults getting less than 150 minutes of exercise a week. Affordable fitness options undoubtedly help people reach this goal, with gyms only costing around £31 per month.

The top 10 countries with the healthiest lifestyles

Which country’s government spends the most on healthcare?

The United States government spends more on healthcare than any other country

Government spend on healthcare: 16.5% of GDP

The US spends the highest percentage of its GDP on healthcare, 16.5%, compared to any other country on our list. However, according to Peterson-KFF, life expectancy is lower in America than in other high-income countries, suggesting that a high healthcare expenditure doesn’t correlate with healthier people.

Despite having such a high expenditure on healthcare, the US does not offer universal healthcare. There are many reasons for this:

• High prices for services, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices increase overall spending.
• High rates of service utilisation, despite not having universal healthcare, increase overall expenditure.
• The US Healthcare system is profit-driven, incentivising providers to increase the cost of services.
• The US does not regulate prices, which can lead to higher costs for goods and services.

Which country has the most physically active adults?

Sweden has the most physically active population

Number of adults who get less than 150 minutes of exercise per week: 8.7%

Sweden’s adults are more active than those of any other country on our list, with more than 9 in 10 adults getting over 150 minutes of physical activity per week. 

Being physically active is a big part of the lifestyle in this Nordic country, and Swedish people choose to be physically active for the following reasons:

• Friluftsliv, which translates to ‘open-air living,’ is the concept of spending time in nature. It’s deeply rooted in Swedish culture and encourages recreational time outdoors.
• Sweden generally has a good work-life balance, meaning people have time to exercise.
• According to the BBC, many Scandinavian employers offer incentives for staff members to spend time outdoors during working hours.
• Active transport is practised throughout the year by Swedish people, choosing to walk or cycle to work.

Which country gets the most sleep?

South Africans get the most sleep on average

Average amount of sleep per night: More than 9 hours

On average, South Africans get more than 9 hours of sleep per night (an average of 553 minutes) — more than any other country on our list. 

Sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, and according to the NHS, adults aged 18 to 64 need to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.  Hitting (or even exceeding) this target can increase productivity, help ease fatigue, and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.

Which country has the cheapest gym memberships?

India has the world’s cheapest gym memberships

Average monthly cost for a gym membership: £12

A monthly gym membership in India costs an average of £12, the lowest of any country in our study. However, affordability doesn’t necessarily translate to demand. Only 0.2% of India’s population has a gym membership. 

That’s not to say that people in India don’t exercise regularly, though. Cricket, football, and badminton are popular sports in India, and other forms of exercise like yoga and walking are also practised as part of daily routines, showing a preference for more social means of staying fit.

Which country has the most vegan and vegetarian restaurants?

New Zealand is the vegan and vegetarian capital of the world

Number of plant-based restaurants per 100,000 people: 42.9

There are more vegan and vegetarian restaurants in New Zealand than in any other country on our list, with 42.9 restaurants per 100,000 people. Despite its many vegan and vegetarian restaurants, New Zealand has just 2,288 plant-based restaurants, fewer than 16 countries on our list. 

New Zealand also has a low percentage of vegans and vegetarians, with the National Institute of Health reporting that just 0.74% are vegans, and 2.04% are vegetarians. 

Veganism is on the rise, though, due to growing concerns about animal welfare and government-backed research about plant-based proteins. The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries invested $8 million in Leaft Foods, a company developing technology to extract protein from leafy crops.

How can you stay healthy as an expat?

Your physical health may not be the first thing you think about when moving abroad. But maybe it should be. If you want to live a long, healthy life, then you should think about how you’re going to maintain an active lifestyle when you’re moving to a new country. 

Below, William Russell’s Marketing Director, William Cooper, has compiled his top considerations for maintaining health when moving abroad.

1/ Get walking

Walking more each day is one of the simplest ways to improve your health. It’s a low-impact, accessible form of exercise that can be built into daily routines, making it easy to sustain over time.

Smartwatches and fitness trackers make step-counting straightforward, and research shows you don’t need to hit huge numbers to see benefits. In fact, a study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that walking just 3,967 steps a day was enough to lower overall mortality risk.

While clocking up more steps can deliver greater benefits, even modest increases beyond your daily baseline can make a meaningful difference to long-term health. 

Walking around your new city is also a fantastic way to explore your local cafes, restaurants, and shops, helping you get to know your neighbourhood better. Before deciding on the city you want to move to, look at how hilly the area is, nearby hiking trails, and nearby shops and restaurants. 

2/ Try local foods and dishes

Before you decide on your next expat adventure, do some research on local dishes, snacks, and foods. You should incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet regardless of where you are. However, researching what fruits and vegetables are available locally will give you a better idea of what is available in supermarkets.

Whole foods are better for you than ultra-processed ones, and local foods often taste better than food transported overseas, and are better for the environment. Therefore, it’s a great idea to incorporate locally sourced whole foods into your diet. Don’t be afraid to try the local cuisine either. Of course, you’re more than likely to miss some home comforts. But it’s a great opportunity to try new things and broaden your palette.

3/ Join a sports club or community

Joining a sports club or community adds a social side to your active lifestyle. Making friends at these types of places is easier, as you can bond over a shared interest. One thing that prevents people from going to the gym or going for a long walk is motivation, and sports are a great way to provide physical activity without always feeling like a traditional workout.

Whether you like to play football, enjoy going to the gym, or want to start your weekends off with a long run, you should look into the accessibility of these interests before you decide to move.

Wherever you go, go with total peace of mind

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience of helping expatriates finding best places in the world to move abroad and settle into their new lives overseas by providing world-class international health insurance. Plus, we produce lots of expert material to help you and your family adapt to life abroad.

Making the move to another country can be challenging. But no matter where you go, you can take one thing off your mind. William Russell offers global health insurance that covers you for everything from minor injuries to long hospital stays, and we can even offer emergency medical evacuation to patients who require emergency life or limb-threatening treatment in other countries where it’s not available locally.