A recent survey that measures the power of passports, called the Global Passport Index, has revealed that New Zealand has experienced a significant decline in its ranking. The index considers various factors, including ease of travel and investment opportunities in host countries, and is managed by Global Citizen Solutions, a company that assists with investment passport applications.
The survey has shown that Germany has overtaken the United States as the world’s most valuable passport, with Sweden climbing to third place due to improved visa-free travel performance. However, New Zealand has suffered a significant decline in passport appeal, falling from a top 10 position to 17th place. This is largely due to limited investment opportunities and a high cost of living in New Zealand.
While New Zealand scores well in mobility and quality of life indices, it is let down by a low investment appeal, ranking 34th in this category. The ranking showed that market size and labor were shown as limiting factors for the passport’s investment score and cost of living was “very high”. In contrast, Germany scored well across all categories.
Other passport rankings, such as the Henley Passport Index, rate passports based on the number of countries offering reciprocal visa-free travel. The Henley Index ranks New Zealand more favorably, placing it in sixth place overall. However, the Global Passport Index differentiates itself by creating a score based on multiple factors that contribute to a citizenship’s overall appeal.
Patricia Casaburi, chief executive of Global Citizen Solutions, stated that the Global Passport Index is a valuable tool for anyone considering a second citizenship or relocating temporarily or permanently to another country. The index aims to reflect nationalities’ access to travel, investment opportunities, and quality of life indicators.
Global Passport Index Top 10 Passports
- Germany
- The United States
- Sweden
- Denmark
- The Netherlands
- Finland
- The United Kingdom
- Canada
- Norway
- Switzerland
Source: Global Citizen Solutions
