POWERFUL PASSPORTS: Singapore leads global travel freedom index

International

SINGAPORE has reclaimed its position as the world’s most powerful passport holder, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

The city-state’s passport offers visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations worldwide, more than any other country.

This marks a significant milestone for Singapore, maintaining its top spot in global travel freedom.

Japan follows closely in second place, offering its citizens access to 193 destinations, bolstered by renewed visa-free entry to China after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

In third place are several European Union countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, and South Korea, each with access to 192 destinations.

The top rankings also highlight the influence of the European Union’s Schengen area, which grants free movement to over 425 million citizens across 191 destinations.

Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden share the fourth spot.

Other countries with strong passports include Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, all of which enjoy access to 190 destinations.

Meanwhile, Greece and Australia occupy sixth place, followed by Malta, Poland, and Canada in seventh.

On the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list with just 26 destinations, a reflection of the growing disparity in global mobility.

This gap between top and bottom passport rankings has widened, underscoring the need for a reevaluation of citizenship in a rapidly changing world, as political instability and climate disasters increasingly affect global migration patterns.

While some countries have seen significant improvements—such as the UAE, which has climbed 32 spots since 2015—others, like Venezuela and the United States, have fallen in rank.

The Henley Passport Index continues to serve as a benchmark for global mobility, with annual updates that track shifting travel freedoms worldwide.(CMM)