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South African Passport Drops in Global Ranking: What It Means for Travelers
Bad news for South Africans hoping to see the world without the burden of visa applications — the South African passport has landed in the 100th spot out of 199 countries in the 2025 Nomad Passport Index, tying with Ecuador.
Compiled by international tax and immigration consultancy Nomad Capitalist, the annual ranking isn’t just about where you can travel without a visa. It’s a deeper dive into what makes a passport truly powerful — and unfortunately, South Africa has come up short on most fronts.
Why South Africa Scored So Low
Unlike traditional indexes that focus solely on visa-free access, Nomad Capitalist evaluates five weighted categories:
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Visa-Free Travel (50%)
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Taxation (20%)
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Global Perception (10%)
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Dual Citizenship (10%)
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Personal Freedom (10%)
South Africa scored 68.5 points, which sounds decent until you compare it to the number one spot — Ireland, which scored 109.0.
Here’s how South Africa fared across each category:
| Category | Score | Out of | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-Free Travel | 111 | 176 (Ireland) | Below average for global mobility |
| Taxation | 20 | 50 | Citizens can relocate to avoid taxes |
| Global Perception | 20 | 50 | Viewed with moderate hostility internationally |
| Dual Citizenship | 50 | 50 | Freely allowed — a bright spot |
| Personal Freedom | 20 | 50 | Concerns over government surveillance, etc. |
Despite the slight improvement in overall score from 67 in 2024 to 68.5 in 2025, South Africa’s position hasn’t budged in the rankings. That’s mainly due to the country’s limited global travel access and declining perception abroad.
How Other Countries Rank
| Rank | 2025 Country | 2025 Score | Position Change |
| 1 | Ireland | 109.00 | +1 |
| 2T | Switzerland | 108.50 | -1 |
| 2T | Greece | 108.50 | +4 |
| 4 | Portugal | 108.00 | -1 |
| 5T | Malta | 107.50 | +9 |
| 5T | Italy | 107.50 | +1 |
| – | – | ||
| 98 | Vanuatu | 70.50 | – |
| 99 | Belize | 70.00 | – |
| 100T | South Africa | 68.50 | – |
| 100T | Ecuador | 68.50 | – |
| 102 | Thailand | 67.00 | – |
| – | – | – | |
| 198 | Yemen | 30.50 | -1 |
| 199 | Afghanistan | 27.00 | – |
What This Means for South Africans
If you travel frequently for business or leisure, your South African passport is more of a burden than a benefit. The need for visas, the increasing scrutiny from immigration authorities, and fewer personal freedoms at home can all limit opportunities abroad.
That said, there is a silver lining: South Africa allows dual citizenship, meaning it’s entirely legal to pursue a second passport if you’re eligible elsewhere — and that could dramatically change your global mobility.
In a world where freedom of movement is increasingly valuable, the South African passport’s 100th-place ranking is a wake-up call. Whether you’re thinking of applying for residency abroad or just frustrated by visa hurdles, understanding the true value of your passport is more relevant than ever.
{Source BusinessTech}
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