Which EU Countries Lead the Way in Women’s Health?

Austria has emerged as the top-performing country in Europe for women's health, ranking third globally in a new international study.

According to the latest Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, which surveyed 146,000 people across 142 countries and territories, Austria stands out for its strong commitment to women’s well-being. Other European nations joining Austria in the global top 10 include Finland, Germany, and Denmark.

Now in its fourth year, the index evaluates countries based on key factors like preventive care, emotional health, access to basic needs, and individual health outcomes. Data for this edition was collected in 2023 and analysed in 2024.

Mixed Results Across the EU

While some EU countries made progress, others saw troubling declines in women's health satisfaction:

• Twelve EU member states reported a drop in how women rate the quality of their care.

• Greece had the lowest satisfaction score, with only 32% of women expressing confidence in their healthcare.

• Poland followed at 45%, with Latvia and Bulgaria close behind at 49%.

In terms of changes since the index launched:

• Italy’s women's health score dropped by five points compared to the first year.

• In contrast, Poland saw an eight-point increase.

Rising Pain and Health Struggles

Globally, the report paints a concerning picture of growing discomfort among women:

• Over 25% of women reported health problems that interfere with daily life.

• 34% said they were in pain for much of the previous day — an increase compared to four years ago and affecting nearly one billion women worldwide.

Within the EU, seven countries saw a rise in the number of women experiencing physical pain:Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.

However, Finland stood out positively, with pain reports dropping from 33% to 24% over the past year.

Cancer Screenings and Maternity Care

There were also some encouraging signs of improvement:

• Cancer screenings among women increased in Belgium, Hungary, and Lithuania.

• Women in Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania expressed higher confidence in the quality of pregnancy care in their areas.

  
  

Emotional Wellbeing: A Mixed Picture

Emotional health remains a major concern, with stress and worry affecting women across much of Europe:

• Women in Austria (39%), Greece (51%), Lithuania (33%), and Spain (52%) reported increased feelings of worry.

• Bulgaria, Malta, and the Netherlands saw rises in stress levels among women.

• However, Czechia, Finland, France, and Hungary reported a decrease in worry and emotional distress.

The data offers both a wake-up call and a sign of hope: while progress is being made in some areas, the disparities between EU countries—and within them—show there's still much to be done to ensure all women have access to the care, support, and health outcomes they deserve.