Morocco ranks 136th in 2026 environmental performance index

Tuesday 21 July 2026 - 08:30

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco ranks 136th in 2026 environmental performance index

Morocco has been ranked 136th out of 177 countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), according to a report produced by Yale and Columbia universities. The country scored 33.11 points out of 100, placing it 13th among countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Estonia topped the global ranking with a score of 74.79 points, followed by Luxembourg and the United Kingdom in second and third place. At the bottom of the table were Bangladesh, India and Laos.

The Environmental Performance Index assesses countries through a broad set of indicators designed to measure progress toward key environmental policy objectives. The 2026 edition evaluates 47 indicators grouped into 12 major environmental categories, covering issues such as climate change, air and water quality, biodiversity and ecosystem protection.

European countries dominated the highest positions in the ranking, supported by their progress in areas including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and environmental policy implementation. Estonia, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Finland and the Netherlands were among the strongest performers.

Outside Europe, Japan ranked 16th, while Australia placed 25th. The United States and Canada also appeared among the world's top 30 performers. Brazil ranked 50th, followed by Russia in 89th place and China in 129th.

The report highlighted significant environmental challenges facing several countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. These include air and water pollution, pressure on ecosystems caused by agriculture and deforestation, as well as the growing impact of climate change.

The assessment also warned that global greenhouse gas emissions remain a major concern. Despite years of international climate commitments and progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency, many countries are still not reducing emissions quickly enough to meet global climate objectives.

The researchers further pointed to persistent gaps in environmental data. Limited information on water resources, sustainable agriculture, wetland protection, biodiversity loss, ocean pollution and waste management makes it more difficult to measure progress accurately and design effective policies.

The findings underline the importance of reliable environmental data and evidence-based policymaking. According to the report, stronger monitoring systems and more detailed indicators are essential for helping governments track environmental damage, evaluate policies and accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable future.