Sweden has once again been recognized with the most powerful passport globally in the 2026 Global Passport Index, published by Global Citizen Solutions. The index evaluates passports from 197 countries and territories based on three core factors: enhanced mobility, investment opportunities, and quality of living. Sweden achieved a score of 96.05 out of 100.
Switzerland secured the second position with 95.2 points, maintaining its ranking from the previous year and demonstrating a steady ascent since the index's inception in 2021, when it ranked 11th. Finland followed in third place with 94.4 points, a position it has held since 2024. Germany and the Netherlands placed fourth and fifth, respectively, with scores of 94.3 and 93.7.
Denmark is tied for fifth place, with Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Singapore rounding out the top ten.
The United Kingdom's passport has entered the top 10, securing eighth place. This position is consistent with its ranking in the previous year. The report notes that while the UK's mobility has weakened compared to its peers, attributed to post-Brexit travel access, its other contributing factors allowed it to maintain a strong overall position.
In contrast, the United States, which held the top spot in 2021 with a record score of 96.45, has fallen to 12th place in the 2026 index, with a score of 92.37. This marks the most significant decline among G7 countries in the index's history. The report attributes this shift primarily to a decrease in the mobility factor, where the US dropped from 10th to 41st.
The report highlights a widening gap between the strongest and weakest passports, describing it as a "deepening structural condition" rather than a temporary post-pandemic anomaly. The weakest passports are predominantly held by countries impacted by conflict, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index for 2026, ranking 197th. Other countries with low rankings include Somalia (196th), South Sudan (195th), Yemen (194th), and the Syrian Arab Republic (193rd). Sudan (188th), Congo (Brazzaville), the Central African Republic, and Congo (Kinshasa) also feature among the least powerful passports.
The Global Passport Index has been published annually by Global Citizen Solutions since 2021. It assesses passports based on mobility, investment, and quality of life, covering 197 countries and territories. The report contrasts with other passport indices, such as The Henley Passport Index, which uses data from the International Air Transport Association and analyzes 199 passports and 227 destinations. The Henley Passport Index for 2026 identified Singapore as the most powerful passport.