Estonia ranks as the top country to live in 2026, while the United States ranks 107th globally.

It is followed closely by Singapore and Malaysia. Other high-ranking countries include Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, and Czechia. While Europe accounts for half of the top 20 countries, East and Southeast Asia also perform well, with Taiwan ranking fifth. In contrast, the United States ranks 107th out of 184 countries, placing it in the bottom half of the index. While the U.S. scores well in education and business opportunity, high living costs negatively impact its scores for health, livability, and safety. Despite its lower ranking, the United States attracted more than 1.3 million new immigrants from abroad in 2025. Demographic shifts are also occurring globally. By 2100, Dhaka is projected to be the most populous city in the world, surpassing Tokyo, which was the largest city in 1950 and 2000.