UK leads
UK is the highest-placed of the 35 countries covered, at 3rd place, ahead of Finland (4th place).
What Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank) shows
UK is the highest-placed of the 35 countries covered in the 2026 Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank), at 3rd place. The Global Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of environmental performance across major economies worldwide.
India trails
India is the lowest-placed of the countries covered, at 176th place.
Range across countries
The 35 countries span 3rd to 176th place, a gap of 173 places. A lower rank number is better: 1st is the top of the index.
Country ranking
Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank) by country, 2026
Rank. A lower number is a better place: 1 is the top of the index. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Position↕ | Country↕ | Relative standing | Rank↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UK | 3 | |
| 2 | Finland | 4 | |
| 3 | Netherlands | 5 | |
| 4 | Germany | 6 | |
| 5 | France | 7 | |
| 6 | Sweden | 9 | |
| 7 | Denmark | 11 | |
| 8 | Spain | 12 | |
| 9 | Japan | 16 | |
| 10 | Italy | 22 | |
| 11 | Australia | 25 | |
| 12 | U.S. | 27 | |
| 13 | Canada | 29 | |
| 14 | South Korea | 37 | |
| 15 | Israel | 39 | |
| 16 | Chile | 41 | |
| 17 | UAE | 42 | |
| 18 | Colombia | 48 | |
| 19 | Brazil | 50 | |
| 20 | Mexico | 58 | |
| 21 | Singapore | 60 | |
| 22 | Argentina | 60 | |
| 23 | Taiwan | 63 | |
| 24 | Thailand | 74 | |
| 25 | Malaysia | 95 | |
| 26 | Saudi Arabia | 105 | |
| 27 | Egypt | 106 | |
| 28 | South Africa | 111 | |
| 29 | Turkey | 125 | |
| 30 | China | 129 | |
| 31 | Nigeria | 138 | |
| 32 | Philippines | 162 | |
| 33 | Indonesia | 168 | |
| 34 | Vietnam | 173 | |
| 35 | India | 176 |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Environmental Performance Index (Rank) — – Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a composite index that measures how effectively countries manage environmental health and ecosystem sustainability. Developed by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with international partners, the index evaluates national environmental performance using standardized indicators across key environmental policy areas. The EPI is reported as an overall performance score, with higher scores indicating better environmental outcomes and stronger environmental management.
The index includes indicators grouped under major policy objectives such as Climate Change, Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, Biodiversity & Habitat, Air Quality, Water Resources, Sanitation & Drinking Water, Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests, Waste Management, and Pollution Control. It incorporates measures related to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, protected areas, species conservation, wastewater treatment, sustainable agriculture, renewable resource management, and other environmental performance metrics. The index is compiled using standardized data from internationally recognized organizations and follows the methodology developed by the Environmental Performance Index team.
The index excludes direct measures of GDP, economic growth, industrial output, trade performance, and social development indicators unless they are incorporated into the EPI methodology. It does not assess individual environmental projects, company-level environmental performance, or voluntary sustainability initiatives. Informal environmental activities, unreported conservation efforts, and country-specific environmental programs not captured by the standardized EPI framework are also excluded.
About this indicator
Environmental Performance Index (Rank) — – Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a composite index that measures how effectively countries manage environmental health and ecosystem sustainability. Developed by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with international partners, the index evaluates national environmental performance using standardized indicators across key environmental policy areas. The EPI is reported as an overall performance score, with higher scores indicating better environmental outcomes and stronger environmental management.
Measured as a Rank, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating countries' performance across key environmental dimensions, including environmental health, ecosystem vitality, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, air quality, water resources, waste management, and sustainable resource management. The rankings enable cross-country comparisons of environmental performance and support the evaluation of environmental governance and overall sustainability. Based on the validated 2026 rankings, the United Kingdom ranked 3rd globally, followed by Finland (4th), the Netherlands (5th), Germany (6th), and France (7th). Other high-performing countries included Sweden (9th), Denmark (11th), Spain (12th), Japan (16th), Italy (22nd), Australia (25th), the United States (27th), and Canada (29th), reflecting comparatively strong environmental performance across the indicators assessed by the EPI. Mid-ranked economies included South Korea (37th), Israel (39th), Chile (41st), the United Arab Emirates (42nd), Colombia (48th), Brazil (50th), Mexico (58th), Singapore (60th), Argentina (60th), Taiwan (63rd), and Thailand (74th). Lower-ranked countries comprised Malaysia (95th), Saudi Arabia (105th), Egypt (106th), South Africa (111th), Turkey (125th), China (129th), Nigeria (138th), Philippines (162nd), Indonesia (168th), Vietnam (173rd), and India (176th), illustrating considerable variation in environmental performance across developed and emerging economies. Overall, the dataset provides valuable insights into global environmental performance and comparative environmental rankings. It supports international benchmarking, comparative policy analysis, and evaluation of environmental performance across countries. Policymakers, environmental agencies, researchers, investors, and sustainability organizations can leverage the rankings to benchmark environmental performance, compare countries, evaluate policy effectiveness, identify improvement areas, prioritize environmental investments, and formulate evidence-based strategies that strengthen ecosystem protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
- Indicator
- Environmental Performance Index (Rank)
- Region
- Global
- Unit
- Rank
- Coverage
- 2026, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- epi.yale.edu
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank)?
Definition – Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a composite index that measures how effectively countries manage environmental health and ecosystem sustainability. Developed by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with international partners, the index evaluates national environmental performance using standardized indicators across key environmental policy areas. The EPI is reported as an overall performance score, with higher scores indicating better environmental outcomes and stronger environmental management.
Which country is the highest-placed in the 2026 Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank)?
Among the 35 countries covered, UK is the highest-placed, at 3rd place.
Which covered country is the lowest-placed in the 2026 Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank)?
India is the lowest-placed of the 35 countries covered, at 176th place.
How should the Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank) be read?
The Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank) is reported as a rank for 2026. A lower rank number is better: 1st is the top of the index.
What does the Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank) include and exclude?
Included: The index includes indicators grouped under major policy objectives such as Climate Change, Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, Biodiversity & Habitat, Air Quality, Water Resources, Sanitation & Drinking Water, Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests, Waste Management, and Pollution Control. It incorporates measures related to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, protected areas, species conservation, wastewater treatment, sustainable agriculture, renewable resource management, and other environmental performance metrics. The index is compiled using standardized data from internationally recognized organizations and follows the methodology developed by the Environmental Performance Index team. Excluded: The index excludes direct measures of GDP, economic growth, industrial output, trade performance, and social development indicators unless they are incorporated into the EPI methodology. It does not assess individual environmental projects, company-level environmental performance, or voluntary sustainability initiatives. Informal environmental activities, unreported conservation efforts, and country-specific environmental programs not captured by the standardized EPI framework are also excluded.
Where does the Global Environmental Performance Index (Rank) data come from?
The data is sourced from epi.yale.edu (https://epi.yale.edu/indicator/2026/EPI) and covers 2026.
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