July 23, 2024 — Singapore’s passport has been crowned the world’s most powerful for 2024, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. With visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 destinations, Singaporean passport holders enjoy the highest level of global mobility.
Top Passports
The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, reveals that Singapore stands out with unprecedented global access. Following closely are the passports of Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, which share the second position, granting entry to 192 destinations.
South Korea, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands hold the third spot, offering visa-free travel to 191 destinations. The United Kingdom, along with New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland, ranks fourth with access to 190 destinations. Australia and Portugal are tied for fifth place, with 189 destinations accessible without a visa.
Decline in US Passport Power
Once a leader in global mobility, the United States now ranks eighth, with passport holders able to visit 186 destinations visa-free. This marks a significant decline from its former top position, reflecting shifting global dynamics and international relations.
End of the Spectrum
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan’s passport is ranked the weakest, providing visa-free access to only 26 countries. This is the lowest score recorded in the index’s history, highlighting the growing disparity in global mobility.
Widening Mobility Gap
Christian Kaelin, Chair of Henley & Partners, commented on the growing disparity in passport power: “The global average number of destinations travelers can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, the gap between the most and least powerful passports is now the widest it has ever been.”
Aviation Industry Insights
As global air travel continues to surge, with an estimated five billion passengers expected across 39 million flights in 2024, the real cost of air travel has significantly decreased. According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, the profit per passenger for airlines is now just over $6, a stark contrast to the high costs of travel and services in recent years.
The latest Henley Passport Index not only reflects current trends in global mobility but also underscores the broader economic and geopolitical shifts influencing international travel and passport strength in the 21st century.
