Singapore Tops Henley Passport Index for 2024
The latest rankings from the Henley Passport Index for 2024 have been released, revealing that Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport. Meanwhile, the United States has seen a notable decline, falling to eighth place.
According to CNN, the Henley Passport Index, co-created by Henley & Partners and utilizing exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has once again ranked Singapore’s passport as the most powerful travel document globally. This prestigious index has been monitoring global travel freedoms across 227 countries and territories for 19 years.
Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain collectively hold the second spot, granting their citizens visa-free access to nearly 192 destinations.
The third position is shared by South Korea, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, each allowing visa-free entry to 191 destinations.
The United Kingdom ranks fourth, alongside New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland, with visa-free access to 190 destinations. Australia and Portugal follow closely in fifth place, with entry to 189 destinations without a visa.
In a surprising turn, the United States has dropped to eighth place, providing visa-free access to 186 destinations. This decline highlights the shifting dynamics of global mobility and the increasing challenges faced by American travelers.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan has been ranked as having the weakest passport. Afghan citizens can only travel to 26 countries without a visa, marking the lowest score in the index’s nearly two-decade history.
The Henley Passport Index continues to serve as a vital tool for understanding global mobility trends. The rankings reflect not only the power of individual passports but also the broader geopolitical and economic factors influencing international travel freedoms.
As countries around the world navigate the complexities of international relations and border policies, the Henley Passport Index offers a valuable snapshot of the current state of global mobility.
