Friday, 17 April 2020

Another Myth Shattered

Everyone knows that only 10 per cent of US citizens have passports, right?

US Passports - More Of These About Than Ever Before
US Passports - More Of These About Than Ever Before
..... Wrong!!

Now its true that was possibly true way back in 1994, but now the figure is that more than 40 per cent of US adults have a passport. However that still falls short of the figures in other western countries. For instance in England and Wales the figure is 76 per cent of adults holding a passport.

This US reluctance to get passports in the past was fuelled by the fact that before 2007, all US citizens could usually travel to and from Canada, Mexico, and other nearby countries, without the need for a passport .... as well as offshore US states such as Hawaii, Alaska, the US Virgin Isles, and Puerto Rico.

US Tourists In Mexico Didn't Need Passports
US Tourists In Mexico Didn't Need Passports .....

So for example, 39 per cent of all US citizens journeys overseas were to Mexico, and a further 17 per cent to Canada, where they didn't need a passport.

Just 17 per cent went to Europe and therefore required a passport. But law changes since the 9/11 attacks of 2001 and then in 2007, have forced them to apply for passports for any non US territory, and so the figure for passport holders have risen dramatically.

Every myth has a kernel of truth, but close examination usually shows that they are largely a collectively created false news fact.

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