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Sweden's Passport Reigns Supreme; India Drops to 125th in 2026 Index

Published on: 07 Jul 2026, 10:22 AM

The 2026 Global Passport Index, released by Global Citizen Solutions, ranks passport strength of 197 countries worldwide. Sweden holds the top spot with an overall score of 96.05, while Afghanistan ranks last at 23.10. India has slipped to the 125th position, reflecting limited global mobility for its citizens.

The index evaluates nations across 14 indicators, grouped into three core pillars: Enhanced Mobility, Investment, and Quality of Living. Enhanced Mobility measures visa-free travel and border access, Investment considers economic opportunities and business climate, and Quality of Living assesses factors like healthcare, education, and safety. Through this policy-aware system, the index highlights how a person's nationality affects their opportunities.

Top 10 countries remain largely consistent, with Nordic states dominating: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway are in the top nine, alongside Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The United States ranks 18th, while China is at 78th.

The 2026 report notes a rise in automated border control systems, a deliberate visa liberalisation trend in Asia, and an ongoing structural divide in global mobility that favours wealthier nations. This divide means citizens of high-ranking passports enjoy broader access to travel, work, and investment opportunities, while those from lower-ranked countries face significant barriers.

India's drop to 125th from its previous position underscores this gap. Indian passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to fewer countries compared to top-ranked nations. The index does not speculate on reasons for the slip but presents the data as a reflection of current policies and conditions.

The full index is available on Global Citizen Solutions' website, providing detailed scores for each country. The report aims to offer a comprehensive tool for understanding global mobility dynamics.

Source: Indian Express

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