Rising Countries in the Global Passport Index and What’s Driving Passport Strength

The world is entering a new era of mobility. It is one that is not defined by how many borders a passport opens, but by the quality of life and opportunity it enables once you cross them. In 2025, global citizenship has evolved from a mere travel privilege into a structure that offers resilience and access. 

Rising instability, climate pressures, and economic shifts have made mobility a form of security. Individuals are now seeking passports that offer continuity, stable governance, and investment potential, not just visa-free travel. This is why countries that combine innovation, institutional trust, and openness (like Sweden, Singapore, and Estonia) are climbing in the Global Passport Index 2025. 

As governance, digitalization, and global interdependence reshape freedom of movement, the world’s most powerful passports no longer belong only to the countries with the most money, but to the nations that equip their citizens with the ability to live, invest, and adapt anywhere. 

The 2025 edition of the Global Passport Index, researched and developed by Global Citizen Solutions, substantiates this shift. Europe continues to dominate, holding nine of the top ten positions, with Sweden leading globally on a 96.8 composite score, followed by Switzerland and Finland. These results show that passport power is increasingly determined by institutional maturity, innovation capacity, and policy coherence, not only economic size. 

The Global Passport Index combines three pillars, namely Enhanced Mobility, Quality of Life, and Investment Attractiveness. This helps to practically capture how citizenship can translate into real-world opportunities for passport holders. This holistic insight reveals there’s a clear pattern emerging – nations that reform tends to rise, and those that resist change and modernization see their strength decline. 

“Passport strength is no longer just about geography but also about governance,” says Laura Madrid, Research Lead at Global Citizen Solutions. “Nations that balance freedom with foresight are the ones gaining ground.” 

This year’s biggest climbers when it comes to passport power prove that progress comes from reform. From digital governance in Northern Europe to compliance reforms in the Caribbean, here’s who’s getting it right in 2025: 

Estonia (+16 places) 

Estonia recorded one of the most impressive rises in the Global Passport Index 2025, climbing 16 positions to 11th place. The country’s government has made long-term investment in specifically e-governance, innovation, and transparency in an effort to make its institutions more efficient and, in turn, trusted worldwide. 

It is the first country to offer online voting in national elections as well as the first to make all government services accessible online. It has also been a pioneer in digital identity with its electronic ID card and is the first nation to establish an e-residency program, allowing anyone to create and run an online company from anywhere. 

By aligning with EU digital standards and pioneering interoperable e-ID systems, Estonia has strengthened both its mobility and quality of life indicators. 

“Estonia is proof that digitalization can be part of a national growth strategy,” notes Laura Madrid. “When a state builds credibility into its systems, its citizens (and passport) gain credibility abroad.” 

Croatia (+7 places) 

Croatia’s steady rise reflects how regional integration can drive transformation. Since joining the Schengen Area and adopting the Euro, the country has unlocked new mobility corridors and strengthened investor confidence. These changes improved both travel freedom and economic stability, marking Croatia as one of Europe’s fastest movers. 

Antigua and Barbuda (+14 places) 

Antigua and Barbuda has climbed an impressive 14 positions all thanks to decisive reforms to its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. Enhanced due diligence, regional data sharing, and adherence to the Six Principles Agreement, developed in partnership with the United States, have significantly boosted global trust. As a result, the nation now enjoys stronger visa access and renewed investor confidence. 

St. Kitts and Nevis (+10 places) 

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program is one of the world’s longest running and continues to set the regional benchmark. St. Kitts and Nevis’ decision to fully implement the Six Principles, introducing applicant interviews, prohibiting name changes, and enhancing background checks, helped preserve its visa-free access with key partners and raised its ranking by 10 places. 

Malta (+12 places) 

Malta’s 12-place rise underscores the value of credibility when it comes to investment migration. The country’s continuous refinement of vetting processes and commitment to EU-aligned standards have reinforced its reputation for transparency. By ensuring its citizenship framework meets both regulatory and ethical expectations, Malta has shown that well-governed programs create long-term passport value. 

China (+11 places) 

China’s upward momentum (11 places higher than last year) reflects a successful post-pandemic reopening of its economy, strengthened trade and visa-waiver agreements, and ever-expanding global partnerships. As the country increases its international engagement and innovation output, its citizens are benefiting from greater travel freedom and global recognition. 

While smaller and reform-driven nations surged ahead, traditional powers have faltered. The United States, once ranked first in 2021, now sits at 14^th place, with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also sliding. 

Analysts attribute this collective decline to policy polarization, housing bottlenecks, and governance stagnation. As institutional trust erodes, so too does global standing—a contrast that highlights how the new mobility era rewards adaptability over legacy power. 

At its core, the Global Passport Index 2025 shows that a passport’s strength is no longer about travel access alone; it’s about security, opportunity, and continuity. Nations like Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, and Estonia combine strong institutions with social equity and innovation-driven economies, creating ecosystems of resilience that protect citizens in uncertain times. 

“Passport strength has become the world’s most practical form of resilience,” concludes Laura Madrid. “It’s no longer about where you can go but about how well you can thrive once you’re there.”