In a recent study that may come as a surprise to green-thumbed Britons, researchers have identified the countries where individuals feel most in tune with nature. Unfortunately for the UK, the results aren’t particularly flattering.

The team from the University of Derby conducted a comprehensive analysis involving nearly 57,000 participants from 61 different countries. Their findings placed Nepal at the top of the list, highlighting its residents as the most connected to their natural surroundings.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom finds itself languishing near the bottom of the rankings, in 55th place. Only a few countries, including the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain, rank lower in this regard.

Professor Miles Richardson, the study’s lead author, commented on these findings through his blog, “Finding Nature.” He expressed that the results convey a “clear story,” suggesting a significant disparity in how different nations relate to the natural world.

According to Professor Miles Richardson, lead author of the study, the findings tell a ‘clear story’. 

Writing in his blog, Finding Nature, he said: ‘The rankings below tell a clear story.

‘Countries like Nepal, Iran, and South Africa top the list for nature connectedness. 

‘Meanwhile, many affluent nations—including Germany, Canada, Japan, and the UK—sit near the bottom. The UK ranks 55th out of 61.’

A new study has uncovered the countries where people are the most connected to nature – and it’s bad news for green–fingered Brits (stock image) 

As the name suggests, ‘nature connectedness’ reflects your cognitive and emotional connection to nature. 

‘Higher levels of nature connectedness are associated with improved human wellbeing and greater pro-environmental behaviours and positive attitudes towards nature,’ the researchers explained in their study, published in Ambio.

Until now, most studies have focused on nature connectedness on an individual level. 

However, little has been known about how it varies across countries. 

To get to the bottom of it, the researchers analysed data from 56,968 people from 61 countries. 

The results revealed that ‘many nations are falling short’, according to Professor Richardson. 

Nepal tops the list as the most nature-connected country, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. 

At the other end of the scale, Spain is the least nature-connected country, followed by Japan, Israel, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK. 

Nepal tops the list as the most nature-connected country, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the other end of the scale, Spain is the least nature-connected country, followed by Japan, Israel, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK (stock image)

To understand why this is the case, the researchers examined a wide range of factors, including urbanisation, biodiversity, spirituality, and attitudes towards science. 

Their analysis suggests that urbanisation and ease of doing business are the strongest negative predictors of nature connectedness. 

‘These factors reflect a societal orientation toward efficiency, growth, and infrastructure—often at the expense of nature contact and biodiversity,’ Professor Richardson explained in his blog. 

In contrast, the strongest positive predictors were spirituality and a belief that society relies too heavily on science over faith. 

‘These values suggest that nature connectedness flourishes where people seek deeper meaning and maintain a sense of reverence or emotional resonance with the natural world,’ Professor Richardson added. 

As for why the UK is so far down the rankings, the experts highlight three key factors.

Firstly, high urbanisation means many people have limited access to wild spaces, while ease of doing business means the UK is geared towards economic efficiency over ecological balance. 

Finally, culture values in Britain tend to favour science and rationality over spirituality and meaning.  

‘The UK offers a stark example. Despite a rich tradition of nature writing and a strong conservation sector, the UK ranks near the bottom for nature connectedness,’ Professor Richardson added.