Cleanliness isn’t just about sparkling streets – it reflects a nation’s commitment to environmental health, sustainability, and overall quality of life. In an age of rising pollution and climate concerns, some countries have set themselves apart as global leaders in keeping their environments pristine.

According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 – a benchmark developed by Yale and Columbia Universities – these nations excel in factors like air and water quality, waste management, renewable energy use, and effective climate policies.

Notably, Europe dominates the latest rankings, thanks to strong green initiatives and strict environmental regulations. Here are the top ten cleanest countries in the world and what makes each of them shine.

Table of Contents

1. Estonia

EPI Score (2024): 75.7
Estonia, a small Baltic nation, claims the #1 spot as the cleanest country on Earth. This country’s pristine natural environment and forward-thinking policies have propelled it to the top.

Over half of Estonia is covered in forests, and the government ensures sustainable use of these rich natural resources. In the past decade, Estonia dramatically cut its greenhouse gas emissions (around a 40% reduction) by shifting away from oil shale energy towards renewable sources like wind, solar, and biomass.

Air and water quality have improved markedly thanks to focused anti-pollution measures and investments in modern sanitation and waste management systems. Estonia even leverages digital technology in governance to monitor environmental indicators in real time. All these efforts result in exceptionally clean air, safe drinking water, and lush green spaces nationwide.

2. Luxembourg

EPI Score (2024): 75.1
Luxembourg may be one of Europe’s smallest countries, but it punches above its weight in environmental performance. Over 55% of Luxembourg’s land is protected or used sustainably for agriculture, helping preserve biodiversity and natural habitats.

The nation excels in water sanitation – virtually all residents have access to clean drinking water and high-quality sanitation services. Luxembourg also leads in innovative urban solutions: it became the first country to offer free public transportation nationwide, reducing car usage and urban emissions.

With robust investments in renewable energy and strict emission controls, Luxembourg has curbed pollution from industry and vehicles. Its efficient waste management and recycling programs keep cities and countryside exceptionally clean. High GDP and strong governance allow Luxembourg to continuously invest in green infrastructure, making it a model of how a wealthy nation can also be an eco-friendly one.

3. Germany

EPI Score (2024): 74.5
Germany has long been an environmental leader, combining industrial might with green innovation. A cornerstone of Germany’s success is the Energiewende (energy transition) policy, aimed at phasing out coal and nuclear power in favor of solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy.

Today, a significant share of Germany’s electricity comes from renewables, and the country continues to expand wind farms and solar parks. Germany also boasts one of the world’s most effective recycling systems – citizens diligently separate waste thanks to strict packaging laws and deposit refund schemes, resulting in minimal landfill use.

Major cities like Berlin and Hamburg implement green urban planning, with extensive bike lanes, low-emission zones, and excellent public transit that reduce pollution. Moreover, Germany treats 100% of its urban wastewater and enforces strong regulations on air quality and industrial emissions.

By coupling ambitious climate policies with community participation, Germany manages to keep its environment clean without compromising its economic strength.

4. Finland

EPI Score (2024): 73.8
Finland’s breathtaking landscapes of vast forests and crystal-clear lakes are matched by equally impressive environmental stewardship. About three-quarters of Finland is blanketed in forest, and the nation prioritizes sustainable forestry and conservation.

Finland ranks among the best in the world for air and water quality – partly because of relatively low industrial pollution and partly thanks to rigorous environmental management. The country’s sanitation and drinking water systems are virtually flawless, ensuring clean water for all citizens.

Finland is also a trailblazer in clean tech and innovation: from developing biofuels to promoting a circular economy, it continually finds new ways to minimize waste and pollution. Environmental education plays a role too; from a young age Finns learn the value of nature and sustainability, leading to a culture that genuinely cares for the environment.

With extensive protected areas, forward-thinking climate policies, and widespread use of renewable energy (like wind and hydro power), Finland seamlessly integrates modern life with nature, making it one of the happiest and cleanest places on the planet.

5. United Kingdom

EPI Score (2024): 72.6
The United Kingdom has achieved a remarkable turnaround in environmental performance in recent decades. Since 1990, the UK has slashed its carbon emissions by over 40%, thanks in large part to phasing out coal-fired power plants and embracing wind and solar energy on a large scale.

Today, offshore wind farms and solar arrays supply a growing portion of British electricity. The UK’s strong policy framework includes a Clean Air Strategy that has improved urban air quality – for example, London’s ultra-low emission zone has helped cut pollution in the capital.

Britain also stands out for its commitment to nature conservation: it has expanded protected areas for wildlife and established marine reserves covering over 30% of its coastal waters. Waste reduction and recycling programs have taken root nationwide, and cities have seen more green spaces and tree-planting initiatives that enhance livability.

With its mix of aggressive emissions cuts, innovative urban planning, and public awareness campaigns, the UK demonstrates how an industrialized nation can clean up its act and foster a healthier environment for its citizens.

6. Sweden

EPI Score (2024): 70.3
Sweden is globally renowned for its eco-conscious society and sustainable way of life. More than half of Sweden’s energy now comes from renewable sources (especially hydropower, wind, and bioenergy), significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The country has even mastered turning trash into energy: Sweden’s advanced waste-to-energy plants incinerate household garbage to generate electricity and heat, sharply cutting down landfill waste. Thanks to decades of strict environmental regulations, Sweden enjoys excellent air quality and low pollution levels.

Industrial emissions are tightly controlled, and green taxes incentivize companies to pollute less. The Swedes are also avid recyclers – nearly all waste gets recycled or repurposed in some way. Urban planning in Sweden emphasizes sustainability; cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg feature extensive public transit networks, bicycle highways, and pedestrian zones that keep air clean and streets quiet.

By combining high-tech innovation with a culture that values nature (from everyman’s right to roam in forests to popular eco-friendly lifestyles), Sweden secures its spot as one of the cleanest countries year after year.

7. Norway

EPI Score (2024): 69.9
Norway’s reputation for stunning fjords and northern lights goes hand-in-hand with its environmental excellence. This Scandinavian nation relies overwhelmingly on clean hydropower – over 95% of Norway’s electricity is generated from hydroelectric dams tapping into its countless rivers and waterfalls.

As a result, Norway’s carbon emissions from electricity are negligible, and it has very low air pollution. In recent years, Norway has also led the world in electric vehicle adoption: thanks to incentives, about 80% of new cars sold are electric, which greatly reduces urban air pollution and greenhouse gases from transport.

The country’s policies show strong commitment to preserving nature. Norway invests heavily in protecting marine environments and fisheries, ensuring its coastal waters remain unspoiled. It also has some of the purest drinking water and nearly universal access to high-quality sanitation for its people.

Culturally, Norwegians take pride in their “friluftsliv” (outdoor life), which reinforces public support for keeping the environment clean. With green technology, forward-looking policies, and citizens on board, Norway exemplifies how to maintain a thriving economy alongside a pristine environment.

8. Austria

EPI Score (2024): 68.9
Austria’s alpine scenery isn’t the only thing clean about this country – its environmental standards are among the strictest in the world. Nearly 60% of Austria’s electricity comes from renewable energy, mainly hydropower from mountain rivers, supplemented by wind farms and solar panels.

This reduces fossil fuel use and keeps the air cleaner. Austria also enforces tight regulations on industry, agriculture, and chemicals to prevent pollution. For example, farmers in Austria heavily practice organic and sustainable farming, using minimal pesticides and fertilizers, which helps protect soil and water quality.

Recycling is a way of life here – well over half of all municipal waste is recycled or composted, one of the highest rates globally, meaning landfills are small and well-managed.

Austrian cities consistently rank high in livability and cleanliness: Vienna, the capital, is often cited as one of the cleanest and greenest cities on Earth, boasting efficient public transport, low emissions, and abundant green parks. From its protected forests to clean city streets, Austria shows that government policy and public cooperation together can keep a country impeccably clean.

9. Switzerland

EPI Score (2024): 67.8
Switzerland has a famous image of clear lakes, fresh mountain air, and spotless towns – and reality lives up to that reputation. The Swiss benefit from some of the cleanest water in the world; Switzerland’s stringent water treatment and protection measures mean virtually every tap provides safe drinking water and rivers are clean enough to support rich wildlife.

Air quality is also outstanding, helped by policies that limit heavy industry and promote electric public transport (many Swiss trains and buses run on electricity, often hydro-powered). The country’s waste management is highly efficient: recycling is deeply ingrained in Swiss culture, with citizens separating their garbage and even composting food waste, resulting in very little trash going to landfills.

Environmental conservation is written into Switzerland’s constitution, leading to strict limits on deforestation and construction in ecologically sensitive areas like the Alps.

Switzerland also encourages green innovation – from energy-efficient building standards to subsidies for solar panels on chalets. By blending high-tech solutions with traditional respect for nature, Switzerland maintains its pristine landscapes and ranks among the cleanest nations year after year.

10. Denmark

EPI Score (2024): 67.7
Denmark rounds out the top ten with its long-standing commitment to sustainability and clean living. Often celebrated as a green pioneer, Denmark was one of the first countries to set aggressive climate goals and invest heavily in renewable energy. Today, wind power alone provides nearly half of Denmark’s electricity, with iconic wind turbines dotting both its countryside and offshore waters.

This massive shift to wind and other renewables has drastically cut carbon emissions and air pollution. Danish cities are globally recognized for their bike-friendly infrastructure – in Copenhagen, bicycles often outnumber cars, aided by extensive bike lanes and a culture of cycling.

Public transportation and urban design also emphasize low emissions and energy efficiency, from electric buses to green roofs on buildings. Denmark has innovative waste-to-energy plants (like the famous ski-slope-topped Amager Bakke in Copenhagen) that burn waste cleanly to generate power, minimizing landfill use.

The country consistently enforces strict environmental regulations, whether it’s curbing industrial pollutants or protecting coastal waters from overfishing. With an ambitious goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, Denmark continues to lead by example, proving that economic development can go hand-in-hand with keeping the environment clean and healthy.

Lessons from the World’s Cleanest Countries

The nations at the top of the cleanliness rankings share several common strategies that other countries can learn from:

Investment in Renewable Energy: All these countries have heavily invested in clean energy sources (like wind, solar, and hydro), reducing reliance on polluting fossil fuels and lowering overall emissions.
Advanced Waste Management: High recycling rates and waste-to-energy programs are typical in these countries. By minimizing landfill use and promoting recycling and composting, they keep their environments free of garbage and pollution.
Strict Environmental Regulations: Whether it’s enforcing air quality standards, limiting industrial emissions, or protecting forests and water bodies, strong laws (and the will to implement them) play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness.
Sustainable Urban Planning: Clean countries prioritize public transport, cycling, and green spaces in cities. Efficient public transit systems, bike lanes, and parks not only reduce pollution but also improve residents’ quality of life.
Public Awareness and Culture: Perhaps most importantly, citizens in these countries are generally environmentally conscious. From an early age, people learn the value of cleanliness and sustainability – be it through education or cultural norms – leading to widespread support for green policies and personal habits that keep the country clean.

Conclusion

The top 10 cleanest countries in the world illustrate that keeping a nation clean is an achievable goal – one that brings enormous benefits to public health, biodiversity, and overall quality of life. These countries demonstrate that economic growth and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.

By embracing renewable energy, enforcing environmental protections, and fostering a culture of respect for nature, they have created healthier societies with fresher air, purer water, and thriving green spaces. Their success stories serve as inspiration for the rest of the world. After all, a cleaner world is not just prettier to look at – it’s a safer, happier place for current and future generations.