Choosing a hospital is rarely a simple decision. For many, the choice is made during moments of intense uncertainty, weighing a difficult diagnosis against the hope for a positive outcome. In an era where the number of hospitals worldwide is projected to approach 216,000, dependable guidance is more essential than ever.
To provide this clarity, Newsweek, in partnership with global data platform Statista, has released the World’s Best Hospitals 2026 ranking. Now in its eighth year, this comprehensive evaluation highlights the pinnacle of medical excellence across 32 countries.
Among the elite institutions recognized this year, Israel’s Sheba Medical Centre has achieved a historic milestone. The Tel HaShomer-based facility has risen to 7th place in the world, continuing a remarkable upward trajectory after ranking 8th last year and 9th the year before.
A Rigorous Standard of Excellence
The 2026 rankings evaluated more than 2,500 hospitals, with special recognition reserved for the top 250 institutions globally. Sheba’s ascent into the top seven places it alongside world-renowned leaders such as the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), Toronto General, and the Cleveland Clinic.
This year’s methodology was more rigorous than ever, placing a greater weight on hospital quality metrics. Each institution was scored based on four critical data sources:
- Medical Expert Recommendations: Peer feedback from doctors, hospital managers, and healthcare professionals.
- Hospital Quality Metrics: Data focusing on safety, hygiene, and quality of care.
- Patient Experience: Existing data on how patients perceive their treatment.
- PROMs Implementation: A standardized survey measuring how patients feel about their functional well-being and quality of life post-treatment.
Leading the Way in the Middle East
By securing the 7th spot, Sheba Medical Centre remains the highest-ranked hospital in Israel and the entire Middle East. This steady climb reflects the centre’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with compassionate patient care. The 2026 evaluation specifically elevated the role of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), suggesting that Sheba’s success is driven not just by clinical results, but by the actual well-being of the people it treats.
The inclusion of Sheba in the top tier of the 32 countries surveyed—ranging from the United Kingdom and the United States to Singapore and Sweden—underscores Israel’s position as a global powerhouse in medical innovation.
Empowering Patients
As Newsweek and Statista note, reliable and transparent data is invaluable when navigating healthcare decisions. For patients and families in Israel and beyond, Sheba’s consistent rise in the rankings provides a clear signal of excellence.
Whether it is through pioneering research or world-class clinical practice, Sheba Medical Centre’s movement from 9th to 7th over the last three years cements its reputation as a global leader in the pursuit of the best possible health outcomes.
Israel’s top Hospitals:
7 Sheba Medical Center Israel Ramat Gan
58 Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Israel Tel Aviv
157 Hadassah University Hospital – Ein Kerem Israel Jerusalem
165 Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital Israel Petah Tikva
Australia’s top Hospitals:
49 The Alfred Australia Melbourne
55 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Australia Camperdown
85 The Royal Melbourne Hospital Australia Parkville
144 Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Australia Herston
148 St Vincent’s Private Hospital – Fitzroy Australia Fitzroy
150 Royal North Shore Hospital Australia St. Leonards
238 Austin Hospital Australia Heidelberg
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