Karolinska University Hospital is ranked as the fifth-best hospital in the world and has been recognized as the best hospital in Europe for the second time, according to Newsweek’s global list of the World’s Best Hospitals. This ranking is the highest for Karolinska since the hospital first appeared on the top list in 2020.
Karolinska University Hospital climbs several spots in the global hospital ranking, World’s Best Hospitals, published today by Newsweek.
“Karolinska’s ranking as the fifth-best hospital in the world and for the second timed acknowledged as Europe’s best is primarily a recognition of the world-leading healthcare, research, and education that all our employees contribute to together. Without our collective efforts, this success would not have been possible,” says Christophe Pedroletti, CEO of Karolinska University Hospital.
“I am especially pleased that our ranking as a world-leading hospital is driven by the difference Karolinska makes for our patients, both in terms of treatment outcomes and consistently positive feedback regarding patient care and the quality of healthcare. Ultimately, this is why we exist as a university hospital,” continues Christophe Pedroletti.
The global hospital ranking is topped by the two American hospitals Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, with Toronto General in Canada at third place and The Johns Hopkins Hospital in fourth. Karolinska’s fifth place makes it the highest-ranked hospital in Europe, ahead of Charité in Berlin, which is ranked seventh, and Universitätsspital Zürich, which is in tenth place.
“I would say that what unites the best hospitals is the ability to attract skilled, curious, and solution-oriented staff and leaders. For Karolinska, extensive clinical research and the close collaboration with Karolinska Institutet are key to our success,” continues Christophe Pedroletti.
“Another factor that unites hospitals ranked highly in international comparisons is the ability to quickly adopt new medical technologies and treatment methods. Once again, the proximity to academia and industry undoubtedly contributes to Karolinska’s success,” says Christophe Pedroletti, CEO of Karolinska University Hospital.
Care-oriented leadership and responsibility
Karolinska University Hospital’s leadership philosophy is that decisions and the design of care should be made as much as possible by those who interact with patients.
“Decentralized leadership fosters creativity and promotes greater collaboration within the organization. Not all decisions can, or should, be decentralized at a hospital, but I believe that our care-oriented leadership has contributed to our excellent results in many areas,” Christophe Pedroletti concludes.
Newsweek’s ranking is based on four main data sources:
• Recommendations from thousands of healthcare sector experts, including doctors and healthcare managers
• Results from patient surveys, focusing on care and information.
• Quality indicators such as waiting times, patient safety, and hygiene practices.
• Use of patient-reported outcomes, measuring patients’ perceived benefits of care and quality of life after treatment.
A total of seven Swedish hospitals are included on the list. Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg ranks 69th, and Uppsala University Hospital ranks 82nd.
Karolinska’s ranking in the World’s Best Hospitals:
2020: 10th place
2021: 7th place
2022: 8th place
2023: 6th place
2024: 7th place
2025: 5th place
World’s Best Hospitals 2025 – Newsweek Rankings
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