Behind the Global Passport Index: How our concept came to life
Global Citizen Solutions has launched the updated 2024 Global Passport Index (GPI), a cutting-edge tool designed to help people make informed decisions on where they can best live, invest, and secure a better future.
Building on the research of our previous indexes, the 2024 edition brings fresh insights into the world’s most powerful passports, with startling new results: Sweden climbs up to take the world’s top spot and the United States and Canada are ousted from the top ten ranking. Thanks to our expert data consultants, Roberto and Vlad, who devised the unique methodology, the GPI uses key mathematical indicators to assess a passport’s strength based on three key criteria: mobility, quality of life, and investment potential.
What makes our 2024 Global Passport Index different from others
Our GPI tool responds to a new era of strategic global mobility. It’s more than a ranking of passports; it’s a tool for those who think ahead and invest in securing flexible, long-term options. We crafted the Index emphasising data that matters most to global citizens seeking enhanced mobility, quality of life, and investment opportunities.
“With rising global uncertainties, people are looking for stability, security, and opportunities beyond their home countries,” says Patricia Casaburi, a key mastermind behind the GPI. “Our tool empowers users to make important life decisions – whether relocating, investing, or enhancing personal freedoms – in places where they and their families can thrive.”
The method behind the index
Our research team spearheaded by Dr. Laura Madrid analysed over 5,000 data points across 15 distinct indicators to build the 2024 Global Passport Index. By expanding beyond mobility, we added two critical dimensions: Quality of life and investment potential. This dual-purpose tool serves those looking to relocate or simply assess their passport’s reach and strength. Additionally, users can filter results and compare scores across different countries, making it easy to tailor the data to their goals.
A new way of measuring Enhanced Mobility
A standout feature of the GPI is the Enhanced Mobility dimension. Unlike traditional passport rankings, which focus exclusively on visa-free access, the GPI evaluates the desirability and strategic value of each destination. With this update, the Index reflects the
realities of global mobility, where access to high-value regions or emerging markets can significantly impact personal and professional growth.
Quality of life is a key factor in relocation decision-making
The Quality of Life dimension considers top aspects of daily living, such as healthcare, education, environmental quality, personal freedoms, and cultural openness. In the 2024 index, we’ve fleshed out this dimension further to include social infrastructure and expat-friendly amenities, recognising the importance of lifestyle factors for people acquiring second citizenships or new residency.
Investment opportunities unveil economic attractiveness of key destinations
Our Investment dimension sets the GPI apart by examining each country’s economic landscape, a key factor often overlooked in other passport rankings. This dimension assesses business-friendliness, tax policies, regulatory environments, and overall investment appeal. With the 2024 update, the GPI adds extra weight to factors like fiscal stability, market access, and ease of doing business, offering investors, entrepreneurs, and financial planners insights into the best locations for wealth growth and diversification.
How we chose data between possible alternatives
We favoured indicators:
- from reliable sources;
- with reasonable update history and future perspective;
- that encapsulated many of the target dimensions and could potentially address several questions;
- which provided “added-value” in relation to already selected indicators.
Why the Global Passport index matters more than ever
Today’s world is turbulent and highly dynamic. With it, the need for a stable future has never been more critical. Our GPI tool helps people explore new places and discover countries that provide genuine security, economic resilience, and an enhanced quality of life. While obtaining a second residence or citizenship by investment opens doors, truly belonging in a new place involves finding a supportive community, contributing to local economies, and integrating meaningfully into society. That’s exactly what this tool provides: A roadmap to choosing where to go next and leaving your global footprint.