The Henley’s Passport Index has released a ranking of the world’s most and least powerful passports for 2021. The index analyses data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks the passports of nations according to the number of destinations the passport holders can visit without a prior visa. Japan and Singapore are ranked right at the top, as they have the world’s most powerful passports. India has slipped down 6 positions from 84th last year to the 90th spot this year. Read on to know why.
Japan & Singapore Have The World’s Most Powerful Passports
Singapore and Japan are top of the Henley’s Passport Index ranking where their passport holders are permitted to travel visa-free to 192 countries. Japan has secured the top position for the third consecutive year. Germany and South Korea share the second rank. The top 10 positions for the world’s most powerful countries were dominated by European nations. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen are ranked right at the bottom as they have the weakest passports in the world. The Henley Passport Index released its rankings at a time when countries are slowly lifting travel restrictions and resuming tourism after a span of around 2 years since the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Most Powerful Passports In The World
1. Japan, Singapore (Score:192)
2. Germany, South Korea (Score: 190)
3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (Score: 189)
4. Austria, Denmark (Score: 188)
5. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden (Score: 187)
6. Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland (Score: 186)
7. Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, United Kingdom, United States (Score: 185)
8. Australia, Canada (Score: 184)
9. Hungary (Score: 183)
10. Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia (Score: 182)
Least Powerful Passports In The World
1. Iran, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Sudan (Score:41)
2. Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya (Score: 40)
3. North Korea (Score: 39)
4. Nepal, Palestinian Territory (Score: 37)
5. Somalia (Score: 34)
6. Yemen (Score: 33)
7. Pakistan (Score: 31)
8. Syria (Score: 29)
9. Iraq (Score: 28)
10. Afghanistan (Score: 26)
India Fell By 6 Places To 90th Rank On List
In 2020, India held the 84th rank in the list of the world’s most powerful passports. But in 2021, it fell down by 6 places to the 90th position. Indian passport holders can visit 58 countries visa-free. It shares the rank with Burkina Faso and Tajikistan. Henley and Partners Q4 Global Mobility report reveals that the global mobility gap is at its widest and continues due to barriers erected to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic. Many countries in the global north enforced strict measures and Covid-19 travel restrictions, while nations in the global south reopened borders to boost the economy.
Also Read: India Ranks 34th From Earlier 40th Position In World Travel &Tourism Report
The report observes that many countries on the lower end of the Henley Passport Index remain locked out of most of the developed nations. So, as an example, while Germany is ranked second on the list, enjoying visa-free travel to 190 countries, it has a list of around 100 banned countries. And while Afghanistan has one of the weakest passports, there’s easier entry into the country. At Saudi Arabia’s World Sight Park you can travel visa-free across the world.