World Passport Power Rankings Revealed
1st Place Goes to Singapore
Singapore has claimed the coveted first place in the latest Henley Passport Index, drawing attention worldwide.
On September 18th (local time), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), based in London, revealed that Singapore had secured the top spot in the most recent Henley Passport Index ranking.
The Henley Passport Index (HPI) is a ranking compiled by the UK-based international immigration advisory firm Henley & Partners. It assesses the number of countries passport holders can visit without prior visa arrangements by analyzing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Singapore’s passport ranked first, allows its holder visa-free entry to 192 out of 227 countries worldwide.
Germany, Italy, and Spain jointly claimed the second spot, with their citizens enjoying visa-free entry to 190 countries.
South Korea shares the third position with Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, and Sweden, offering visa-free access to 189 countries. Japan, which held the top position for the past three years, has now been ranked third, sharing the spot with others.
After a six-year declining trend, the United Kingdom ascended two positions to reach fourth place this year. In contrast, the United States has been experiencing a downward trend on this index for a decade and landed eighth place this year.
Afghanistan, with only 27 countries accessible without a visa, maintains its position at the bottom of the ranking.
Reports indicate that the global average of countries permitting visa-free entry is 109.
By. Kim Hee Eun (1127khe@wikitree.co.kr)
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