Table of Contents
Introduction
Over the past five years, significant changes have occurred globally. The emergence of a worldwide pandemic brought much of the global population to a standstill, leading to unprecedented travel restrictions — an experience unfamiliar to most people, including myself. The ongoing conflicts, such as Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Israel’s engagement with Hamas in Gaza, are sending shockwaves across the globe. These events are not only shaping the dynamics of nations but also influencing the rights and statuses of their citizens.
As we enter the year 2024, the Henley Passport Index releases its annual results, offering valuable insights into the global influence of nations and the enduring effects of both conflicts and the pandemic. This report not only reflects the current status but also provides a glimpse into the future. Utilizing exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world’s largest travel information database, and supplemented by meticulous in-house research, the index ranks all 199 passports worldwide based on the number of destinations their holders can access without requiring a visa in advance.
Passport Rankings
In the latter part of 2023, Japan relinquished its long-held position at the pinnacle of the passport ranking, a status it had maintained for five consecutive years. Singapore took over this leading position. However, as 2024 began, the landscape shifted once more. In an unprecedented turn of events, six countries now jointly hold the top spot, boasting visa-free access to an unprecedented number of destinations.
France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, alongside Singapore and a resurgent Japan, proudly share the distinction of possessing the most powerful passports globally. Citizens of these countries enjoy the remarkable privilege of visa-free access to an astounding 194 out of 227 destinations across the globe.
The dominance of Asia and Europe persists as we navigate through the rankings. Occupying the second position are South Korea, Finland, and Sweden, offering their passport holders visa-free travel to 193 destinations. Close behind, with access to 192 destinations, are Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
The United Kingdom observes a modest enhancement from the previous year, now boasting visa-free access to three additional countries, bringing its total to 191. This positions the UK in fourth place, sharing the spot with Luxembourg, Portugal, and Norway. Similarly, the United States has reversed a decade-long trend of decline, ascending one position to seventh place. Both the UK and the U.S. enjoy travel privileges to 188 destinations without the requirement of a visa, aligning with Canada and Hungary. However, it’s worth noting that both countries still lag significantly behind their dominant joint-first position in the global ranking a decade ago.
Occupying the lowest position in the index is Afghanistan, securing the 104th spot, providing its citizens with visa-free access to just 28 destinations. Afghanistan finds itself just behind Syria and Iraq in the rankings. Despite the historical trend indicating an overall increase in travel freedom over the 19-year history of the ranking, Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, highlights a concerning development. The global mobility gap between the top and bottom of the index has reached an unprecedented level. Dr. Kaelin notes that while the average number of visa-free destinations has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024, the top-ranked countries now enjoy the privilege of traveling to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan.
Passport ranking Climbers & Fallers
In the last ten years, no nation has experienced a more significant ascent in the index than the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Starting from the 2014 ranking at 55th, the UAE has substantially expanded its passport strength by gaining access to an additional 106 visa-free destinations. This remarkable progress has propelled it 44 places up the ranking, securing the 11th position with visa-free access to 183 destinations.
Ukraine and China stand out as notable climbers over the past ten years, each ascending by 21 places in the ranking. Ukraine currently holds the 32nd position, offering its passport holders access to 148 visa-free destinations. Similarly, China has made significant progress, now occupying the 62nd spot with access to 85 destinations, marking a two-spot improvement from the previous year. In contrast, although Russia has seen a noteworthy increase of 24 destinations over the past decade, its visa-free score and ranking have experienced minimal shifts since 2017. Presently, Russia holds the 51st place, providing access to 119 destinations