Probability of Having Your Passport Lost or Stolen Abroad
~0.3% of international trips
Per-event probability in US
Approximately 300,000 US passports are reported lost or stolen each year, with about 0.3% of international travelers affected.
Approximately 300,000 US passports are reported lost or stolen each year, according to State Department data. With roughly 93 million valid US passports in circulation and about 93 million international trips taken annually, this gives approximately a 0.3% chance per international trip.
The most common locations for passport loss include hotel rooms, airports, restaurants, and crowded tourist areas. Pickpocketing is the leading cause of stolen passports, particularly in popular European tourist destinations (Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Prague) and Southeast Asian cities. Stolen passports have significant value on the black market (estimated at $1,000-5,000 each) for use in identity theft and illegal immigration.
If your passport is lost or stolen abroad, you should report to the nearest US embassy or consulate immediately. Emergency passports can usually be issued within 24-72 hours. Prevention includes making copies (digital and physical) of your passport, using hotel safes, carrying your passport in a money belt or hidden pouch rather than a pocket or purse, leaving your passport in a secure location when not needed for identification, and using a passport cover that doesn't advertise your nationality.
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