Passports are ‘a vessel of potential – a gateway to a life well lived’, says Global Citizen Solutions, as it reveals it best country ranking. Jenny Southan reports
If you have a passport for Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom or Germany then you’re winning, according to a new global passport ranking that assesses quality of life.
In a world where borders are no longer barriers but gateways to new possibilities, Global Citizen Solutions, a data-driven immigration advisor has unveiled the Quality of Life Index 2024, a tool guiding those seeking not just a change of scenery, but an elevation in the quality of their lives.
In a “groundbreaking” methodology that transcends traditional passport indexes, The Quality of Life Index assesses the overall quality of life in a country, focusing on aspects that enhance the attractiveness of a country such as social wellbeing and sustainability.
There were six main weights of indicators that formed the basis of the ranking: Sustainable Development Goals (30 per cent); Cost of Living (20 per cent); Level of Freedom (20 per cent); Happiness (10 per cent); Environmental Performance (10 per cent); and Migrant Acceptance (10 per cent).
“We believe that a passport is not merely a document; it is a vessel of potential, a gateway to a life well lived,” says Patricia Casaburi, managing director for Global Citizen Solutions.
“Our methodology considers factors beyond visa-free travel, taking into account healthcare, safety, education, and overall well-being to provide a holistic view of the opportunities each passport opens up for its holder.
“The Quality of Life index is our free tool that encourages users to explore the boundless possibilities that a passport can offer if you are looking to relocate, but it is also a fantastic tool if you just want to plan your next travel destination focused on well-being, sustainability and social engagement,” says Patricia Casaburi.
Global Citizen Solutions’ strategy director, Manuel Garrido, adds: “Learning about the cost of living is essential to understand how much you will need to budget for your holiday. It’s also important to be aware of the level of freedom in the country you are heading to.”
Top 15 ‘life enhancing’ passports in 2024
- Finland
- Sweden
- Denmark
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Ireland
- Austria
- Spain
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Portugal
- Iceland
- Canada
As you can see, the three top-ranking countries in the Quality of Living Index are all Scandinavian countries with Norway also in 11th place. Aside from a high cost of living, Finland performs well in all other areas, particularly in Sustainable Development, Environmental Performance, Happiness, and Level of Freedom.
The country typically performs very well in quality of living rankings given its low-income inequality, excellent social support and infrastructure, freedom to make decisions, and low levels of corruption.
Similarly, Sweden and Denmark perform well across the board and, like Finland, are highly progressive societies that invest heavily in social wellbeing. Sweden boasts a strong economy, world-class education, and accessible healthcare, while Denmark is often credited as excelling in embracing a good work-life balance and family time.