Prefer to take this year’s vacation in a country that’s not ridden with pollution? Then check out our list of 14 most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world.
Environmental issues become more important every year, and they’re constantly sources of political debate and disagreement. But who wouldn’t want to live in, or at least vacation in a country that’s considered one of the cleanest and greenest? No one likes getting gum stuck on the bottom of their shoe every time they walk down the street, or worse, suffering from an endless case of allergies because of highly polluted air.
You’ll be happy to know that in a few countries throughout the world, these problems are the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. Not only do they have clean streets and public transportation systems, but their waters are pure, and their air is some of the freshest. They also go to great measures to ensure that the greenest solutions are used for things like waste, sewage, transportation, and harnessing the earth’s natural resources. These countries go beyond recycling and choosing paper and glass over plastic; they truly fight for the health and safety of their people and land.
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To find these countries, we read cleanest country in the world lists from reputable sources, including CNN’s Top 10 Cleanest Countries of the World, Forbes’s The World’s 10 Cleanest Countries, Country Detail’s Top 10 Most Cleanest Countries in the World, Business Insider’s 13 Most Safe, Cheap and Hygienic Countries in the World to Visit as a Tourist, Insider Monkey’s 16 Cleanest Countries in the World, In Fact Buzz’s Top 10 Cleanest Countries in the World, Medium’s the 10 Cleanest Countries in the World, International Man’s The World’s Cleanest Countries, Which Country’s Top 10 Cleanest Countries in the World, DGL Project’s Top 10 Cleanest Countries in the World 2017, and Travelers Today’s Five Cleanest Countries in the World this 2016 that Every Traveler Will Admire.
With the above lists, we simply gave each country one point every time it was mentioned as one of the cleanest. And since there were so many repeats listed, we were able to come up with an accurate list.
But you should keep in mind a few things before reading. Even though the methodology for the lists above is sound (data is mostly based on each country’s EPI or Environmental Performance Index), it is speaking generally. Yes, there are countries on this list that are far from the first world, and no doubt parts of them are much cleaner than others. So if you’ve had a bad experience vacationing in Spain, don’t knock us. It is a bold statement to say that an entire country is completely clean or environmentally friendly, and we’re not saying that these are without fault. They’re just a lot cleaner than all the others.
Also, the title of this list states that the countries on this list also have “the cleanest people in the world.” And while some citizens of these countries may be more environmentally conscious than those in the countries who didn’t make the list, this list does not mean that showers are required daily by law in these countries, or that citizens will be arrested on the spot if they throw a plastic bottle away. Maybe we’ll create a list of countries with the best personal hygiene another day because it’s difficult to keep track of everyone’s hygienic habits. But the general cleanliness status of their country is a good indicator that citizens are overall proactive. So don’t worry. These aren’t likely to be the countries with worst personal hygiene, either. Speaking of personal hygiene, if you are wondering who is the dirtiest person in the world, check out the story about Amou Haji, an 81-year-old man from Iran who hasn’t taken a bath in over 60 years. On the contrary, to find information about the world’s cleanest person was not as easy, but still, the story about the most organized man in the world is definitely worth reading.
And if you’d like to know about more of the world’s environmentally friendly places, see our list of cities with the cleanest air in the world.
Here is our list of 14 most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world. And if you’re also wondering what the world’s most hygienic race is, this list may provide the answer to that as well. Hope you enjoy!
14. The Czech Republic
3 points
“Since 1990, the Czech Republic has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by over 30%,” says Economist.
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13. Mauritius
4 points
Yes, a country in Africa made a list. Its eye-catching landscapes have actually made this country a popular tourist attraction as of late.
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And now, let’s see the next four most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world on our list which share the 9th spot.
9. Cuba
5 points
Surprised? It’s true, this country is named as the top in hygiene by many sources. Things aren’t quite as bad in Cuba as you thought.
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9. Spain
5 points
Some say that Madrid is cleaner than NYC, and it may be because some Spaniards are said to be obsessed with cleanliness.
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9. Costa Rica
5 points
Though it’s not as developed as some of the other countries on our list, Costa Rica does have remarkably clear waters, large amounts of wildlife and beautiful terrain.
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9. Australia
5 points
Check out this article from The Sydney Morning Herald, entitled “Breathe Easy: Australian Air is Clean.”
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8. Germany
6 points
Germany makes a point to stay clean and green, and one of its greenest cities is Freiburg, just on the edge of the Black Forest.
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Next in line we have two most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world which share the 6th place on our list.
6. Iceland
7 points
Just looking at pictures of this breathtaking country could convince you that it’s considered one of the purest and cleanest in the world. (Though it does help that their population is small.)
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6. France
7 points
The large population in this country on our list of 14 most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world certainly doesn’t stop it from keeping clean.
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5. Singapore
8 points
This country is not only ranked as one of the cleanest, but it’s also one of the safest ranked in the world by CNN.
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And finally, let’s see the top 4 most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world.
3. Austria
9 points
Austria is extremely environmentally friendly, with a high scoring EPI. Although, the fact that it’s landlocked gives it the advantage over other countries because of the lack of ocean waste.
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3. Norway
9 points
Resources like natural gas and oil could potentially give rise to environmental concerns, like global warming. But Norway proactively makes sure to keep its air clean and safe while using those resources for good.
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2. Sweden
10 points
Sweden does well to keep up with the cleanliness of its Scandinavian neighbors, many of which have scored a spot on this list.
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1. Switzerland
11 points
Just picture the pristine waters of Switzerland and the majesty of the famous Swiss Alps. It’s no wonder this country topped the list of 14 most hygienic countries with the cleanest people in the world. Now that the list is finished, it’s time to start planning your summer vacation abroad.
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