Singapore passport overtakes Japan’s as world’s most powerful

Singapore has recently dethroned Japan to claim the title of having the world’s most powerful passport, according to a new ranking.

About the ranking: This year’s most recent Henley Passport Index, which is “the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa,” includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.

The index’s ranking uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s “largest and most accurate database of travel information.”

The findings: Singapore passport holders can visit 192 global destinations without needing a visa.

Germany, Italy and Spain all tied for second place with 190 global destinations. Meanwhile, Japan, South Korea, Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg and Sweden placed third with 189 global destinations.

Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom placed fourth with 188 global destinations. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland placed fifth with 187 global destinations.

Cyprus is 12th on the ranking, same with the UAE, the highest ranked Asian country. Turkiye moved 3 positions up to 50. South Africa, Africa's highest ranked country is in 51, China is 63, Kenya is 67, Zimbabwes, 73, Ghana, 75, Egypt, 83, Cameroon, 85, Nigeria, 90, and Congo DR, 91.

The index’s least powerful passports are Somalia and Yemen in 99th place (35 global destinations), Pakistan in 100th place (33 global destinations), Syria in 101st place (30 global destinations), Iraq in 102nd place and Afghanistan in 103rd place (27 global destinations).

Past rankings: Before being dethroned by Singapore’s passport, Japan’s held the No. 1 spot for five years in a row.

Prior to this year’s most recent Henley Passport Index, a ranking published in January saw Japan in first place and Singapore and South Korea tied for second place. Meanwhile, Germany and Spain tied for third place.