Cover Nepal ranks first in a new international study that explores how culture, spirituality and modern life influence how closely people feel tied to nature (Photo: Zach Wear/Unsplash)
Nepal ranks first in a new international study that explores how culture, spirituality and modern life influence how closely people feel tied to nature (Photo: Zach Wear/Unsplash)
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Nepal ranks highest for nature connectedness in a 61-country study linking spirituality with closeness to the natural world
A global study has found that people in Nepal feel the closest bond with nature, placing the country first among 61 nations ranked by “nature connectedness”—a psychological measure of how individuals perceive their relationship with other living species. The research, published in Ambio and drawing on data from the Journal of Environmental Psychology, examined responses from 57,000 people worldwide. It found that levels of nature connection vary widely, shaped by cultural, spiritual and economic influences rather than geography alone. While modern societies often associate environmentalism with activism or policy, this study suggests a subtler dimension: how people think about and value their place in the living world.
Read more: Bhutan is building a 'mindfulness' airport, expected to open in 2029
Spirituality and Nepal’s connection with nature
Above Iran ranks second worldwide for nature connectedness, reflecting cultural traditions that value harmony with the natural world (Photo: Soroush Bahramian/Unsplash)
Iran ranks second worldwide for nature connectedness, reflecting cultural traditions that value harmony with the natural world (Photo: Soroush Bahramian/Unsplash)
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Nepal’s top ranking reflects a society where spirituality and daily life remain closely intertwined with the environment. The study’s authors noted that higher levels of “spirituality” within a culture were the strongest indicators of nature connection, particularly in places where faith plays a central role. Iran, which came second, shares similar cultural characteristics with traditions that embed reverence for the natural world within religious and philosophical practice.
Other nations in the top 10 include South Africa, Bangladesh and Nigeria, followed by Chile, Croatia, Ghana, Bulgaria and Tunisia. In contrast, some of the world’s most urbanised and economically developed nations—such as Japan, Germany and Canada—ranked near the bottom. Spain was found to be the least connected of all 61 countries surveyed. Britain, despite its high rates of membership in environmental organisations, ranked 55th, suggesting that institutional or policy commitment does not necessarily translate into personal engagement with nature.
The downside of economic efficiency
Above The study links lower nature connection to high urbanisation, income and Internet use—signs of societies built for efficiency (Photo: Ling Hua/Unsplash)
The study links lower nature connection to high urbanisation, income and Internet use—signs of societies built for efficiency (Photo: Ling Hua/Unsplash)
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The research team, led by Professor Miles Richardson at the University of Derby, also found a correlation between lower nature connection and higher levels of urbanisation, income and Internet use. Societies that prioritise economic efficiency—measured by the World Bank’s “ease of doing business” index—tended to feel less connected to nature overall. According to Richardson, this may reflect the dominance of rational and economic thinking in highly industrialised societies, where contact with the natural world has become mediated by technology or limited to urban parks.
Ultimately, the ranking does not measure environmental quality or sustainability performance but rather an emotional and cultural dimension of human experience. That Nepal leads the world in this regard suggests that connection to nature is less a matter of wealth or resources and more a reflection of worldview—one that sees humanity as part of, not apart from, the natural world.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
