It’s official — Nepal has been crowned the world’s most “nature-connected” country. Out of 61 nations surveyed, Nepal came out on top in a global study exploring how deeply people feel tied to the natural world. The Guardian shared the story, citing a paper published in the journal Ambio — and honestly, it’s not that surprising if you’ve ever wandered through Nepal’s misty hills or watched prayer flags flutter against the Himalayas.
Right behind Nepal were Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. The top ten rounded out with Chile, Croatia, Ghana, Bulgaria, and Tunisia — an interesting mix of countries where nature still feels close and personal. On the flip side, some of the least nature-connected places included Russia, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. Even countries known for their beautiful landscapes, like Canada, Germany, and Japan, landed near the bottom, with Spain finishing last on the list.
The study — led by Professor Miles Richardson from the University of Derby, along with Austrian researchers — surveyed over 57,000 people around the world. They weren’t just asking whether folks liked hiking or gardening. They were digging into something deeper: “nature connectedness,” a measure of how strongly people feel emotionally and spiritually bonded with the natural world and other living beings.
What stood out most was the link between spirituality and nature. Nations with deeper traditions of faith and spiritual practice tended to feel closer to the earth. Nepal’s number-one spot makes perfect sense when you think about it. From early morning prayers beneath ancient trees to festivals that honor rivers, mountains, and even small forest spirits, nature isn’t just scenery there — it’s part of daily life.
It’s a sharp contrast to more industrialized, tech-focused societies, where people spend most of their days behind screens and walls. The study found that higher levels of income, urban living, and digital dependence often go hand in hand with feeling more distant from nature.
Still, reading about Nepal’s deep connection with the natural world offers a quiet kind of hope — a reminder that it’s possible to live in rhythm with the land rather than apart from it. You can almost imagine that crisp mountain air and the sound of prayer bells echoing against snow-capped peaks, whispering the same truth: the more we slow down and listen, the closer we feel to everything around us.
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