A passport is a travel document that allows a person to enter and leave a country. The power of a passport is determined by the number of countries that allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to holders of that passport.
Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index is a ranking of the world's passports based on the number of countries that allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to holders of that passport. The index is updated quarterly and is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Q1 2023 Results
As of Q1 2023, the top 10 most powerful passports in the world are:
- Japan (193 countries)
- Singapore (192 countries)
- Germany (191 countries)
- South Korea (190 countries)
- Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (189 countries)
- Austria, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden (188 countries)
- Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom (187 countries)
- Greece, Malta, New Zealand (186 countries)
- Australia, Canada, United States (185 countries)
Key Findings
- The top 10 most powerful passports in the world have remained unchanged from Q4 2022.
- Japan and Singapore continue to rank as the world's most powerful passports, with holders of these passports able to travel to 193 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival.
- The European Union continues to dominate the top 10, with 7 countries represented.
- The United States and Canada have fallen to 9th place, tied with Australia.
Analysis
The power of a passport is a reflection of the strength of a country's diplomatic relations with other countries. Countries with strong economies and stable political systems tend to have more powerful passports.
The rise of Asia in the global economy is reflected in the growing power of Asian passports. Japan, Singapore, and South Korea all rank in the top 5 most powerful passports in the world.
The decline of the United States and Canada is likely due to a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The United States and Canada have tightened visa restrictions in recent years, which has made it more difficult for citizens of other countries to travel to these countries.
Conclusion
The power of a passport is an important factor in international travel. Holders of powerful passports have more freedom to travel to other countries, which can open up new opportunities for business, education, and tourism.