The Truth Behind The Golden Passport Industry

The Truth Behind The Golden Passport Industry

The article "Global Citizenship and Borderless Communities" by Paul Demircioglu, published in the Global Mobility Report 2025 by Henley & Partners, discusses the increasing trend of high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals adopting a global outlook that transcends traditional national borders.

Link to article

Correctness and Statistics:

The article presents several statistics to support its claims:

  • The number of millionaires relocating internationally each year has increased from 51,000 in 2013 to a forecasted 142,000 in 2025, representing a 178% growth.
  • The UK experienced a net departure of 1,600 high-net-worth individuals in 2022, which doubled to 3,200 in 2023 and was projected to nearly triple to 9,500 in 2024.

These statistics are presented without specific citations, making it challenging to verify their accuracy.

Flaws and Neutrality:

The article is authored by the Director of Civis Mundi, an international membership club, and is published by Henley & Partners, a firm specializing in residence and citizenship by investment. This association may introduce potential bias, as the content aligns with the interests of promoting global citizenship and investment migration services. The article emphasizes the benefits of global citizenship for high-net-worth individuals, such as asset diversification and access to global networks, but it does not address potential challenges or criticisms associated with this trend.

Broader Perspectives:

While the article focuses on the advantages of global citizenship for wealthy individuals, it does not consider the broader implications for society. For instance, the concept of global citizenship has been critiqued for its abstraction and potential disconnect from local cultural contexts. Some argue that while global citizenship promotes a universal identity, it may overlook the importance of national and local affiliations, leading to tensions between global and local interests.

Academia article

Additionally, the rise of global citizenship among elites could exacerbate economic disparities. In regions like Thailand, globalization has been linked to increasing economic inequality, where the benefits of global interconnectedness are not evenly distributed. This raises questions about the inclusivity of global citizenship and whether it primarily serves the interests of the wealthy.

Academia article

Conclusion:

The article provides an optimistic view of global citizenship and borderless communities, highlighting the benefits for high-net-worth individuals.

However, it lacks a critical examination of the potential drawbacks and societal implications of this trend. A more balanced analysis would consider both the advantages and the challenges associated with the rise of global citizenship, including its impact on economic inequality and cultural identities.

Like the passport power index, these tools and articles serve one purpose - to sell citizenship (CBI) - which increases the so often criticized inequality from the golden passport industry when it comes to passports.

Criticism & Concerns:

?? Security & corruption risks (e.g., money laundering) ?? Ethical concerns (granting citizenship primarily based on wealth) ?? Increasing scrutiny from the EU & OECD (e.g., Malta’s CBI program under EU pressure)


What's your perspective? Do you support or oppose Citizenship by Investment (CBI)?


Tom Topol??

Passport History Expert | Author of LET PASS OR DIE | Consultant for Security Printing & Historical Archives | Awarded by the U.S. State Department | Featured by Vacheron Constantin as one of the Top Collectors globally.

1 个月

Dr Narayanan K. Thank you. While I can understand that some people have the wish/need(?) for a 2nd passport. Why would someone flash 3, 4 or 5 different passports?

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Dr Narayanan K.

Independent Director

1 个月

A well written article about 'Golden Passports'. While it brings investment to the issuing country and benefits the applicants, the country from the application moves leaves a not so positive impact resulting in a non zero sum game. On the other hand the perceived or real reasons for these movements needs addressing. Thanks!

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