RANKING & INDEXES

World Press Freedom Index 2026

• India ranked 157th of 180 countries; Norway topped the list, Eritrea ranked last.
• Global press freedom has reportedly hit its lowest point in 25 years.
• The index is compiled by Reporters Without Borders based on political, legal, economic and safety indicators.

World Migration Report 2026 — Remittances

• India remained the world's top remittance recipient in 2024, receiving over USD 137 billion.
• The only country to cross USD 100 billion in inflows; has held the top spot since 2010.
• Other leading remittance-recipient countries in 2024 included Mexico, the Philippines and France.

India's Global Student Mobility Ranking

• India ranked second worldwide for internationally mobile students (620,000+ abroad in 2022), behind China.
• China led with over 1 million students studying abroad in the same period.

Henley Passport Index 2026

• India's passport slipped to 78th (from 75th), offering visa-free/on-arrival access to 56 destinations.
• Singapore topped the index with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea.
• The index ranks 199 passports using International Air Transport Association data.

World Cities Report 2026

• Released by UN-Habitat at the World Urban Forum in Baku, highlighting the worsening global housing crisis.
• Describes housing affordability as one of the most serious urban challenges of the 21st century.