Ranked: Countries by Share of People Who Have Traveled Abroad
Key Takeaways
- The share of adults who have traveled abroad ranges from just 3% in India to more than 99% in Sweden and the Netherlands.
- In the U.S., 76% of adults have traveled outside the country.
- Japan stands out among high-income countries, with 65% of adults having traveled abroad.
International travel experience varies widely around the world. In some countries, nearly everyone has crossed an international border, while in others, traveling abroad remains relatively uncommon.
This visualization ranks 24 countries by the share of adults who have traveled outside their home country. Overall, international travel is substantially more common in high-income economies, although geography and access to nearby countries also shape the results.
The data for this visualization comes from Pew Research Center. Income levels are based on the World Bank’s 2024–2025 country income classifications.
International Travel Is Most Common in Wealthier Countries
The Netherlands and Sweden top the ranking, with 99% of adults having traveled abroad.
| Country | People Who Have Traveled Abroad (%) | Country Income Level |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 99 | High income |
| Sweden | 99 | High income |
| Germany | 96 | High income |
| United Kingdom | 94 | High income |
| Canada | 92 | High income |
| France | 90 | High income |
| Australia | 88 | High income |
| Israel | 87 | High income |
| Italy | 86 | High income |
| Spain | 84 | High income |
| Hungary | 83 | High income |
| Greece | 79 | High income |
| South Korea | 79 | High income |
| United States | 76 | High income |
| Poland | 66 | High income |
| Japan | 65 | High income |
| Argentina | 37 | Upper-middle income |
| Kenya | 28 | Lower-middle income |
| South Africa | 23 | Upper-middle income |
| Mexico | 21 | Upper-middle income |
| Brazil | 13 | Upper-middle income |
| Nigeria | 9 | Lower-middle income |
| Indonesia | 6 | Upper-middle income |
| India | 3 | Lower-middle income |
Germany follows at 96%, while 94% of adults in the United Kingdom have traveled abroad. Canada (92%) and France (90%) also rank near the top.
High-income economies occupy all 16 of the top spots in the ranking, showing a clear relationship between income levels and international travel experience.
International Travel Remains Rare in Some Countries
At the other end of the ranking, just 3% of adults in India have traveled abroad, the lowest share among the 24 countries surveyed.
Indonesia (6%) and Nigeria (9%) follow, while Brazil (13%) and Mexico (21%) also have relatively low rates of international travel.
All eight countries where fewer than half of adults have traveled abroad are classified as lower-middle or upper-middle income economies.
Income Matters, But Geography Also Plays a Role
Income is closely associated with international travel in the survey, but geography and regional integration can also influence how easily people cross borders.
European countries dominate the top end of the ranking, benefiting from relatively short distances between nations and extensive cross-border transportation networks.
Japan and the United States are notable exceptions among high-income economies. About 65% of Japanese adults and 76% of Americans have traveled abroad, compared with more than 90% in several European countries. Both countries also have large domestic tourism markets and greater geographic separation from many international destinations.
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