Study identifies Seven Nations Best Positioned to Survive Global Collapse
Researchers pinpoint seven island nations most likely to maintain society and food production in extreme global crises.
A 2021 Sustainability analysis and a later Risk Analysis simulation examined how nations could preserve complex social systems and food output after a worldwide catastrophe. Using the University of Notre Dame’s ND-GAIN data, researchers evaluated factors such as energy, manufacturing, geography and climate adaptability, ranking New Zealand, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands as the most resilient.
Australia achieved the greatest modeled food self-sufficiency at 16,069 kcal per person per day, while New Zealand also exceeded basic calorie needs even after a severe loss of agricultural capacity. Both countries, however, depend heavily on imports for fertilizers, equipment and petroleum, exposing them to trade disruptions. The studies stress that high agricultural output alone does not guarantee survival without secure supply chains.
Why it matters
Understanding which countries could sustain populations helps policymakers plan for extreme global disruptions.
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