AKP Phnom Penh, May 17, 2026 —

Cambodia has been ranked first globally in the Natural Environment category in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

“This places it at the top for its natural environment, a significant achievement within the broader rankings,” the report stated.

According to U.S. News & World Report, countries that perform strongly in environmental indicators do not necessarily rank highest in economic output. Nations with lower levels of industrial activity and urbanisation often achieve stronger scores for natural environment preservation.

In the global ranking, Seychelles placed second, followed by Slovenia in third position.

Within Southeast Asia, Myanmar and Laos ranked second and third, respectively, behind Cambodia.

The ranking reflects the richness and diversity of Cambodia’s natural resources, which continue to attract growing international attention and contribute to the country’s tourism appeal.

By C. Nika