Iraq ranked low globally and Arab-wise in the list of the cleanest countries for 2026, according to a classification published by the World Population Review website, which ranks countries based on their performance in several environmental indicators.
The Environmental Performance Index relies on dozens of indicators across 11 categories, including air quality, drinking water and sanitation, waste management, biodiversity, agriculture, fisheries, deforestation, along with indicators related to climate change.
According to data reviewed by the News Video Agency, Iraq scored 26.6 points on the index, placing it in a low position on the list.
The UAE topped the Arab countries on the list with 50.2 points, followed by Oman with 48.5 points, then Jordan with 46.7 points, and Qatar with 45.1 points, while Algeria scored 42.7 points and Tunisia 41.0 points.
The list also included Lebanon with 39.7 points, Kuwait with 39.2 points, Saudi Arabia with 38.7 points, Egypt with 38.5 points, Morocco with 33.1 points, and Bahrain with 31.1 points, while Sudan scored 31.3 points, Comoros 33.5 points, Djibouti 26.9 points, and Mauritania 25.3 points.
Globally, Estonia topped the list of the cleanest countries in the Environmental Performance Index results, scoring 74.8 points, followed by Luxembourg with 74.2 points, the UK with 71.5 points, Finland with 71 points, the Netherlands with 70.5 points, and Germany with 69.9 points, while India and Laos ranked at the bottom of the list.