In the yearly ranking of passport power by Henley and Partners, Singapore has recently come out on top. According to the Henley Passport Index, it is currently the world’s most powerful passport. Henley & Partners is the organization behind this highly regarded ranking. It ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can visit without a visa. As a result, Singaporeans can travel anywhere to 193 countries without visas, and their passport is the most powerful in the world.
In fact, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France share that top tier with Singapore according to the most recently published index. This partnership comes at the height of the index, highlighting the deepening diplomatic relationship between these countries. In turn, this leaves their citizens with better connectivity and travel experience. Singapore stands out as a model of one of Asia’s most successful economies. It dazzles not just by its economic might, but by the stellar convenience it has to offer to its passport holders.
Japan and South Korea have tied for the second spot on the index, highlighting their robust standing on the global stage. This connection between these countries is indicative of a dedication to building international connections and to traveling freely without walls. The United Kingdom’s passport ranks sixth, as the United States has fallen to tenth place in this year’s index.
The U.S. is about to fall out of the Top 10 for the first time in two decades. All of which makes this a very important moment in the index’s history.
Over the past decade, China has made significant strides in passport strength, rising 34 spots in the Henley Passport Index. This remarkable increase makes clear the impact of China’s global power and foreign relations, giving its people more opportunity to travel and study abroad. Similarly, India has made significant recent progress too, jumping from 85th to 77th place in six short months. This accomplishment is an encouraging sign of India’s commitment to fortifying its global connections and increasing travel opportunities for its people.
The United Arab Emirates has made a stunning 46-position jump in global passport standings. In a decade—10 years, and counting—it’s moved up 34 spots! Such improvements reflect the reality of economic development and more importantly welcome prosperity and pride of place across the globe.
The Henley Passport Index serves as an essential compass for countries seeking to increase their passport strength. It further allows countries to better their bilateral relationship with third countries. Countries are making great efforts to provide their citizens easier access to books and other resources. Singapore’s high ranking reflects its impressive foreign relations and strategic positioning on the world stage.