Breaking news

US Passport Loses Top-Tier Status: A Historic Decline in Global Mobility

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

US Passport Loses Top-Tier Status

In a historic shift, the United States has fallen from its long-held position as a global mobility leader. Once unrivaled and ranked No. 1 in 2014, the American passport now sits tied for 12th, offering visa-free access to only 180 of 227 destinations worldwide. The decline underscores an evolving global landscape in which even minor policy shifts can have outsized consequences.

Changing Policies, Shifting Power

The erosion of the US passport ranking has been driven by a series of strategic policy adjustments. Terminations of visa-free access—beginning with Brazil in April and compounded by exclusions from China’s expanding visa-exempt list, as well as updates by Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia, and Vietnam—have collectively reshaped the mobility equation. Dr Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, notes, “The declining strength of the US passport is more than a mere reshuffle; it reflects a critical shift in global mobility dynamics and national soft power.”

Asia-Pacific Ascendancy in Global Mobility

While the US passport falters, Asian counterparts have surged ahead. Singapore, South Korea, and Japan now occupy the top three spots on the Henley Passport Index, granting their citizens access to 193, 190, and 189 destinations, respectively. This trend highlights a broader shift where proactive visa policies and international cooperation position nations on the frontline of global travel freedom.

Reciprocity and the Global Openness Debate

Despite offering considerable travel freedom for American citizens, the US remains among the most restrictive of visa policies worldwide, allowing visa-free entry to only 46 nationalities. This discrepancy has plunged it to 77th on the Henley Openness Index. The situation mirrors trends observed among other major nations, where a widening gap between domestic travel privileges and reciprocal openness is prompting both criticism and strategic reconsiderations.

Geopolitical Realignments and the Dual Citizenship Surge

Political isolationism and restrictive visa policies have directly contributed to America’s declining passport power, a trend that has spurred a rising tide of interest in alternative residencies and second citizenships. Data from Henley & Partners indicates that applications for investment migration from US nationals have surged, as investors and wealthy families increasingly seek geopolitical arbitrage to mitigate jurisdictional risks. Meanwhile, China’s deliberate expansion of visa-free access, coupled with new bilateral agreements, has cemented its role as a formidable force in the realm of global mobility.

Looking Ahead: A New Era in Global Mobility

The evolving dynamics of global mobility signal a significant strategic recalibration for nations worldwide. As traditional powerhouses confront new mobility realities, the pursuit of dual citizenship and multi-residency models is fast becoming a norm. For policymakers and global leaders, the lesson is clear: maintaining dominance in an increasingly interdependent world will require a commitment to openness and innovation, rather than resting on past privileges.

Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.

Uol
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter