Cambodia Ranked Best Country for Land Sustainability in 2026
Cambodia Ranked Best Country for Land Sustainability in 2026
PHNOM PENH, May 21, 2026 — Cambodia has been ranked the world’s top country for land and resource sustainability in the 2026 global rankings released by U.S. News & World Report, placing ahead of countries including Slovenia, Paraguay and Latvia.
According to the rankings, Cambodia secured first place globally and within Southeast Asia in the category measuring sustainable land use and resource management.
The report assessed countries based on indicators including carbon emissions, deforestation, protected natural areas, sustainable trade practices and water stress management. The category also contributes to the broader U.S. News Best Countries rankings and environmental performance assessments.
Slovenia ranked second globally, followed by Paraguay, Latvia and Croatia, while Laos placed sixth overall and second within Southeast Asia.
Among Southeast Asian countries, Cambodia was followed by Laos in sixth place globally, Myanmar at 16th, Thailand at 45th and Malaysia at 46th. The Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore ranked lower in the index.
The latest ranking follows another recent U.S. News environmental assessment that also placed Cambodia first globally in the Natural Environment category.
Cambodian officials have increasingly highlighted environmental protection, forest conservation and sustainable development as priorities under the government’s long-term policy framework.
Cambodia currently maintains 73 protected natural areas covering more than seven million hectares, or roughly 41% of the country’s total land area, according to government data.
Authorities have also promoted reforestation campaigns, biodiversity conservation and carbon neutrality initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Environmental experts say Cambodia’s large forest coverage, protected ecosystems and relatively low industrial emissions contributed to the country’s strong performance in the sustainability rankings.
The rankings were later circulated widely on regional social media platforms, where Cambodia’s performance drew attention across Southeast Asia.
