According to the Pew Research Center, India is among the countries with the highest proportion of people who have never left their home country, with 95% of respondents reporting that they have never traveled abroad. It is followed by Indonesia at 92% and Nigeria at 90%.
The study found that large developing countries account for the majority of the highest percentages of citizens who have never crossed an international border.
After India, Indonesia and Nigeria, the ranking is followed by Brazil (87%), Mexico (79%), South Africa (77%), Kenya (72%) and Argentina (64%).
The rich don’t travel much either
Some wealthy countries are also seeing low levels of travelers. In Japan, 34% of respondents said they had never traveled abroad, in Poland 32%, and in the United States 23%.
Researchers noted that population size can play an important role. Countries such as India, Brazil and the United States offer tremendous opportunities for domestic travel, reducing the need for many citizens to travel abroad.
In addition, international travel often requires significant costs for transportation, lodging, visas and travel documents, making it less affordable for low-income households.
Passport ownership also varies widely from country to country. Government data show that only a minority of citizens in many developing countries hold valid passports, limiting opportunities for international travel even if there is interest.
In addition, visa restrictions continue to affect mobility. Citizens of some countries face stricter entry requirements, higher processing costs, and longer approval times than travelers from wealthier countries.
