World
Singapore becomes hot cake with Latest Ranking
Singapore has reclaimed its position as the world’s most powerful passport, dethroning Japan from the top spot, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.
The annual ranking, compiled by London-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and measures the number of destinations each country’s passport holders can visit without a visa.
Singaporeans can now enjoy visa-free access to an impressive 192 destinations, surpassing travelers from any other nation. This significant achievement marks a triumphant return for the Southeast Asian country, which last held the coveted top position in 2021 before losing it to Japan the following year.
Tied in second place with their passport holders enjoying access to 190 destinations are Germany, Italy, and Spain. Japan, which had previously ranked first in four out of the last five years, now takes the number three spot, sharing it with France, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg, and South Korea, all with 189 destinations accessible visa-free.
In contrast, the United States has experienced a notable decline, plummeting to the eighth position, its lowest ranking to date.
The US was the top-ranking country in 2014 but has faced a steady decrease in its passport power over the last decade. This decline has been attributed to the country’s lack of visa reciprocity.
Greg Lindsay, a Cornell Tech executive, explained that the reason for the US’s diminishing position on the index is the nation’s failure to actively pursue greater visa-free access.
He noted that of the 34 countries ranked between 1 and 10, the US has shown the smallest increase in the Henley Passport Index scores between 2013 and 2023. During this period, the US gained access to only 12 additional countries, while Singapore, for instance, managed to secure an increase of 25 additional countries, propelling it five places to claim the number one rank.
On the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking, with its passport holders enjoying visa-free access to a mere 27 destinations. Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, and Iraq follow closely as countries with the least powerful passports, restricting their citizens’ travel options significantly.
The Henley Passport Index serves as a crucial indicator of global mobility and diplomatic strength, showcasing the varying degrees of access citizens from different countries have to international destinations.
As Singapore takes the lead in the passport power race, it underscores the importance of diplomatic relations and visa policies in shaping a nation’s global standing and the freedom of its citizens to explore the world.
