Australia ranked eighth-best at handing the coronavirus pandemic with New Zealand in top spot – and some VERY surprising countries in between
New Zealand has managed the coronavirus pandemic best in the world with Australia in eighth behind the likes of Rwanda and Cyprus.
Rankings by the Lowy Institute's Covid Performance Index judged 98 countries on their management of the pandemic after their hundredth confirmed case.
New Zealand was ranked as the world's most effective handler, recording only 25 deaths and 2,295 cases.
New Zealand has been ranked as the best country to manage the COVID-19 pandemic (pictured: cars lining up at a testing station in Auckland)
Vietnam came in second place with a population of 70 million, followed by Taiwan, Thailand, Cyprus, and Rwanda.
Australia was just ahead of Singapore, Finland and Norway - well ahead of most European countries that are gripped by a deadly second wave.
The worst performing country was Brazil, with over 8.9 million cases and over 200,000 deaths to date.
Brazil is just ahead of Mexico, Columbia, Iran and the United States, who together suffered more than 30 million Covid-19 cases.
The research discovered that structural factors such as an advanced economy or political system did not give countries an advantage.
Brazil was ranked as the worst country for their pandemic management, coming in at 98 (pictured: people wearing face masks in Rio de Janeiro)
Brazil has over 8.9 million recorded cases of COVID-19 with over 200,000 deaths to date, causing for mass lockdowns across the country (pictured: Protestors in Brazil over new lockdown laws)
'The results basically show that neither democracies nor authoritarian states did better than the other,' Lowy Institute researcher Ms Leng told The Australian.
Most notably the United States landed in 94th place, with more than 400,000 deaths and 25 million recorded cases.
The Lowy Institute found a lot of 'quiet achievers' outperformed in their pandemic management, as countries with a population of less than 10 million generally came out on top.
'In general, countries with smaller populations, cohesive societies and capable institutions have a comparative advantage in dealing with a global crisis such as a pandemic,' Ms Leng said.
Vietnam came in seconding place behind New Zealand for their management of the pandemic (pictured: Vietnamese doctors administering the 'Nano Covax' vaccine)
With a population of 70 million, Vietnam was ranked in the top five countries for their response of Covid-19 (pictured: Vietnamese doctors preparing the 'Nano Covax' vaccine)
Despite Australia's population surpassing 10 million, the ability to establish strict domestic and international borders was a feat not many countries could manage.
Australian will continue its strict border policies, suspending the Trans-Tasman travel bubble on Monday. after New Zealand recorded three new cases.
Health authorities will reach a decision whether to continue the exclusive travel bubble with New Zealand, that allows travellers to skip hotel quarantine.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said health experts are waiting on more details from New Zealand about the new cases before deciding to resume flights into Australia.
Australia came in the top eight countries in the world for their management of the global virus, with restrictions now slowly being relaxed for public gatherings (pictured: plice patrolling gatherings at Gordon Bay)
Australia's management of the pandemic saw multiple testing facilities built in designated 'hot spot' areas
'We'll be getting further advice, we expect, overnight from our colleagues in New Zealand and a decision will be made tomorrow,' he said.
The Lowy Institute's study measured key indicators including confirmed cases, deaths, cases per million people, deaths per million people and cases a proportion of tests.
China was not included because none of its testing rates are publicly available.
Lowy Institute's Covid-19 management Rankings
Top 10:
- New Zealand
- Vietnam
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Cyprus
- Rwanda
- Iceland
- Australia
- Latvia
- Sri Lanka
Bottom 10:
89. Chile
90. Ukraine
91. Oman
92. Panama
93. Bolivia
94. United States
95. Iran
96. Colombia
97. Mexico
98. Brazil