The latest rankings of the world’s most powerful passports for 2024 have been revealed, with Singapore maintaining its position at the top of the list, while the United States has experienced a notable decline. According to CNN, the Henley Passport Index, a comprehensive ranking system co-created by the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, has once again placed Singapore’s passport as the most potent travel document globally.
For nearly two decades, the Henley Passport Index has been assessing global freedom of movement across 227 countries and territories, utilizing exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This year’s rankings highlight significant shifts in passport power, reflecting changing global mobility dynamics.
Singapore retains the top spot with a passport that grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 destinations, solidifying its position as the world’s most powerful passport. This continued dominance underscores Singapore’s strong global position and its citizens’ extensive travel freedoms.
Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain share the second position, with their passports allowing entry to 192 destinations without the need for a visa. These countries’ passports offer robust travel options and reflect their global influence and connectivity.
In third place, South Korea, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands enjoy visa-free access to 191 destinations. This group includes nations known for their high quality of life and strong international relations, which contribute to their citizens’ extensive travel privileges.
The United Kingdom finds itself in fourth place, alongside New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland, all of which can access 190 destinations visa-free. The UK’s position reflects its continued importance on the global stage, despite the challenges posed by recent geopolitical shifts.
Australia and Portugal are tied for the fifth spot, with their passports facilitating travel to 189 destinations. This ranking highlights the global mobility enjoyed by citizens of these nations and their active roles in international affairs.
The United States has dropped to eighth place, with its passport allowing visa-free access to 186 destinations. This represents a significant decline for the US, which has traditionally been at the forefront of global travel freedom but now faces increased competition and shifting dynamics in international mobility.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan holds the position of the weakest passport. Afghan citizens can now travel to only 26 countries without a visa, the lowest score recorded in the index’s history. This stark limitation reflects ongoing challenges and restrictions faced by Afghan passport holders in the global travel landscape.
Here is the full list of the most powerful passports for 2024:
- Singapore (195 destinations)
- France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain (192 destinations)
- Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden (191 destinations)
- Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and United Kingdom (190 destinations)
- Australia and Portugal (189 destinations)
- Greece and Poland (188 destinations)
- Canada, Czechia, Hungary, and Malta (187 destinations)
- United States (186 destinations)
- Estonia, Lithuania, and United Arab Emirates (185 destinations)
- Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia (184 destinations)
These rankings reflect the evolving nature of global mobility and the factors influencing travel freedoms, including political, economic, and diplomatic considerations.
