In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 unhealthiest countries in Europe. For a detailed analysis on healthcare in Europe, visit 15 Unhealthiest Countries in Europe.
5. Albania
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Albania stands fifth among the unhealthiest countries in Europe. Albania has an obesity rate of approximately 24.7%. In 2022, Albania’s public healthcare spending was 63.8 billion lek, or 2.98% of GDP, the lowest percentage since 2017. Despite this, funding for essential services like primary care and drug reimbursement has remained unchanged, with drug reimbursement making up only 1.6% of the 2024 budget.
4. Serbia
Insider Monkey Score: 5.5
Serbia has a notable prevalence of obesity, with 23.9% of adult women and 23.6% of adult men living with obesity. Serbia shows limited progress towards achieving diet-related NCD targets. Diabetes affects 7.0% of adult women and 8.2% of adult men. The prevalence of overweight children under five years of age is 10.9%, indicating early onset of weight-related health issues. While Serbia is on course to meet several global nutrition targets, challenges remain. For instance, 22.8% of women aged 15 to 49 are affected by anemia, and 5.4% of children under five are stunted, which is higher than the European average. In 2021, Serbia spent 10% of its GDP on health, which is above its income group’s average but below its regional average, amounting to $919 per capita.
3. Ukraine
Insider Monkey Score: 4
In Ukraine, 27.5% of adult women and 24.5% of adult men are classified as obese. This rate is higher than the regional average for women but slightly lower for men. In terms of children, 26.5% of those under five are overweight, which is significantly higher than the European average of 4.5%. Ukraine faces issues with malnutrition, particularly among children. Stunting affects 22.9% of children under five, and 8.2% suffer from wasting. Additionally, 17.7% of women of reproductive age are affected by anemia. In 2024, Ukraine’s health spending is projected to reach UAH 239 billion, an increase of UAH 31 billion from 2023. This budget includes UAH 16 billion for the healthcare guarantee program, UAH 1 billion for hospital construction, and funds for a pilot dental prostheses program for veterans.
2. Georgia
Insider Monkey Score: 3.5
Georgia stands among the unhealthiest countries in Europe. Georgia has a significant obesity rate, with approximately 37% of its population classified as obese. Georgia’s FY 2025 budget allocates $7.3 billion to the Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Community Health, and Public Health, representing about 20% of state spending. Of this, $6.6 billion (90%) comes from General Fund appropriations, with the remaining $740 million from sources like Tobacco Settlement Funds. This represents an 11% increase, or $666 million, over the FY 2024 budget.
1. Montenegro
Insider Monkey Score: 1
Montenegro has a significant obesity problem, with an obesity rate of 25.6% as of recent data and tops the list for being the unhealthiest country in Europe. The economic impact of overweight and obesity in Montenegro was estimated to be approximately US$173.05 million in 2019, which equates to US$276 per capita and 3.1% of the country’s GDP. Alcohol consumption is also notably high, with Montenegrins consuming an average of 12.8 liters of alcohol annually, which is significantly above the global average of 7 liters per person. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 95% of all deaths in Montenegro.
To learn about more unhealthy countries in Europe, visit 15 Unhealthiest Countries in Europe.
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