Singapore has reclaimed its title as the world’s most powerful passport in the latest Henley Passport Index, boasting visa-free access to 195 destinations. The city-state pulls ahead of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain, which now share the second spot with access to 192 destinations each. Seven nations—Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden—sit jointly in third place with access to 191 destinations visa-free.
Shifts in Global Rankings
The UK holds onto fourth place alongside Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, despite a drop to 190 visa-free destinations. The US continues its decade-long decline, falling to eighth place with access to 186 destinations. Once joint first with the UK in 2014, the US now sees a significant slide. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, offering visa-free access to only 26 countries.
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Trends and Insights
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, highlights the growing global mobility gap, noting that the average number of visa-free destinations has nearly doubled since 2006. However, the disparity between top and bottom-ranked countries is more pronounced than ever. Singapore’s record-breaking passport allows access to 169 more destinations than Afghanistan.
Aviation Industry Insights
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts airlines will connect nearly 5 billion passengers over 22,000 routes in 2024. Despite projected revenues nearing USD 1 trillion, high expenses will result in modest net profits of USD 30.5 billion. This translates to a slim profit margin of around 3%, equating to just USD 6.14 per passenger.
Significant Climbers and Fallers
The UAE makes its debut in the Top 10, having added 152 destinations since 2006, rising from 62nd to 9th place. Venezuela, however, has experienced the steepest decline, dropping from 25th to 42nd place over the past decade. The country faces critical presidential elections on July 28, which may impact its future trajectory.
Concerns in the US
Former diplomat Annie Pforzheimer notes the anxiety among business groups in the US ahead of the upcoming election, particularly regarding potential immigration policy changes under a second Trump administration. Measures such as ending Temporary Protected Status and rolling back Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could lead to mass deportations, affecting up to a million people.
EU Visa Rejections for African Applicants
New research by Prof. Mehari Taddele Maru reveals a significant bias in Schengen visa rejections, with African applicants facing a 30% rejection rate compared to 10% globally. The study indicates that applicants from poorer African countries encounter higher rejection rates, limiting their economic mobility and travel opportunities.
The Henley Passport Index continues to provide valuable insights into global mobility trends, highlighting the growing divide in travel freedom and economic opportunities across the world.
Source: Singapore Once Again Tops Global Passport Rankings as the Most Powerful in the World
