London: Passports are often considered an indicator of a country’s prowess as it points to the amount of travel freedom that its citizens enjoy.
The Indian passport has been ranked 48th in a list of 50 most powerful travel document in the world, topped by Sweden.
A global survey by Germany-based Go Euro ranked the top 50 countries of the world based on their passport’s eligibility for visa-free entry, cost of application as well as number of hours worked to acquire the document.
India, which came at the bottom of the ranking, offered visa-free entry to 52 countries and cost $24 and 87 hours of working time.
Sweden topped the chart with 174 visa-free countries, costing $43 and just one hour of working time.
Finland, Germany, the UK and the US completed the top 5 with 174 visa-free countries all round.
Denmark, Canada, Spain, Belgium and The Netherlands are placed in the top 10, while Japan and Singapore rated in the next 10.
Turkish passports are one of the most expensive with $250 to its making. While Lithuanian, Mexican, Australian and Swiss passports cost around $150, India, Qatar, UAE, Iraq and Bulgaria citizens can obtain a passport in less than $20.
Several other notable passports are highlighted, including the Finnish passport, which doubles as a flip book that shows a walking moose.
Rivalling it will soon be the new Norwegian passport, which will show the Northern Lights when held under a UV scanner.
“As any avid traveller knows, passports are the key to adventures.
“Passports are the ultimate ‘don’t leave home without it’ item, but the nationality on one’s passport can have a major effect on travel plans and time abroad,” Go Euro said in a statement.
Iraq and Afghanistan were ranked the least useful nationalities for passports with Pakistan not even making to the top 50.Â