There’s something undeniably magical about traveling to a new country. Immersing yourself in its culture, history, and daily life can transform and deepen your understanding of the world. According to a recent survey, however, some countries’ residents spend more time abroad than others, for a variety of fascinating reasons. Learn more about which nations have caught the travel bug — and why — with the top 10 most-traveled countries in the world.
The Top 10 Most-Traveled Countries
A 2023 Pew Research Center survey of 24 countries asked respondents how many countries they had traveled to outside of their own. Surprisingly, the U.S. isn’t even in the top 10 list of the most-traveled countries; it comes in at No. 13, with roughly three-quarters of Americans responding that they had traveled to at least one other country. Meanwhile, the following 10 countries are the ones whose citizens travel abroad the most, based on the percentage of respondents who have visited at least 10 countries:
10. Greece – 19%
Greece lands at No. 10 on the list of countries whose citizens travel the most — nearly one in five (19%) reported visiting at least 10 countries. Interestingly, a majority of Greece’s citizens (79%) have traveled abroad at least once.
9. Spain – 20%
Only 15% of Spanish citizens have never been abroad, and one in five has visited at least 10 countries. The majority of Spain’s international travelers (42%) have visited between one and four other countries.
8. Canada – 22%
Despite being neighbors, more Canadians travel abroad than Americans. Nearly one-quarter of Canadians have been to 10 or more countries, and 92% have visited at least one. By contrast, 76% of Americans have been abroad at least once.
7. Italy – 25%
According to the Pew survey, one-quarter of Italians have visited 10 or more countries, while 61% have visited at least one other nation besides their own. This means that only 14% of Italians have never been abroad — but perhaps they’re just admiring the views that so many tourists flock to their country to enjoy.
6. France – 26%
Only 10% of French citizens have never been abroad. Most French travelers who have left the country have gone to just a few: 36% have visited between one and four other countries. However, 26% of survey respondents in France have visited 10 or more nations.
5. Australia – 32%
The only country in the Southern Hemisphere to make the list of most-traveled countries is Australia. Nearly a third of Aussies have gone to 10 or more countries, which is no easy feat considering their geographic isolation. Around 88% of Australia’s citizens have left the country at least once.
4. Germany – 36%
Despite being one of the largest countries in the European Union, with plenty to do and see close to home, Germany boasts a high travel culture. Around 96% of Germans have been to at least one other country, and more than one-third have visited 10 or more, making them one of the most-traveled countries in Western Europe.
3. United Kingdom – 43%
Despite the United Kingdom being an island nation, over 40% of its residents have visited 10 or more countries. Nearly all its citizens (94%) have been to at least one other country.
2. The Netherlands – 48%
Over 99% of Dutch citizens have traveled abroad, tying them with the No. 1 country whose citizens travel the most. However, because less than half have traveled to 10 or more countries, the Netherlands scored second place on the list.
1. Sweden – 57%
Swedish residents travel more than anyone else surveyed. Over half have traveled to 10 or more countries. Indeed, for Swedes, not traveling abroad is rare, with over 99% of them reporting having visited another country.
Why Europeans Travel Abroad the Most
Of the top 10 most-traveled countries, eight are European. Remarkably, over 99% of citizens from Sweden and the Netherlands have traveled to at least one other country. Around 57% of Swedish citizens have visited 10 or more countries; by contrast, only 11% of Americans say they’ve done the same.
Overall, more than two-thirds of Europeans have traveled to another country, making them the leaders in international travel. A significant reason for this is the ease of travel for European Union residents, who have the right to free movement for work and travel in other member countries with few restrictions.
European countries are also geographically smaller than other countries surveyed. For example, France, the largest country by area in the EU, is smaller than Texas, and the Netherlands is smaller than West Virginia. Due to this difference in size, it’s little wonder that more Europeans travel abroad than Americans.
Travel Is a Privilege
Reviewing the survey results reveals another interesting finding: Most people want to travel, even if they are unable to. In all of the lowest-scoring countries whose citizens travel the least, the majority say they still would like to travel abroad. In India, where only 3% of citizens have been abroad, 66% of survey respondents said they would like to travel to another country. Of the eight countries whose citizens travel the least, the majority of people in those countries said they would like to travel abroad if they had the opportunity. This revelation is an important reminder that traveling abroad and experiencing new countries is a privilege to be cherished.
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