Henley Passport Index: Singapore tops the list, India ranks 82nd in Passport power

The Henley Passport Index recently released its list of the world's most powerful passports. Singapore is now #1, while India has moved up to #82 from last year's 84th position. The ranking measures how many countries a passport holder can visit without needing a visa. This year, Indian passport holders can travel to 58 countries visa-free.

What is the Henley Passport Index?

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and additional research by Henley & Partners, an immigration consultancy. It looks at 198 passports and 226 destinations, counting how many countries a passport holder can enter without a visa.

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World's most powerful Passports

The top 10 passports are:

1. Singapore - 195 countries
2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain - 192 countries
3. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden - 191 countries
4. Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom - 190 countries
5. Australia, Portugal - 189 countries
6. Greece, Poland - 188 countries
7. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta - 187 countries
8. United States - 186 countries
9. Estonia, Lithuania, UAE - 185 countries
10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia - 184 countries

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Factors influencing rankings

Passport rankings are influenced by several factors, including the number of visa-free destinations, diplomatic relations, and international agreements. Countries with higher GDP per capita often have more visa-free access because they attract more trade, tourism, and investment. Domestic stability also plays a role. Countries with less violence and stronger state legitimacy tend to have more open borders. Interestingly, democracy is not a strong factor; for example, the UAE, an autocratic state, has high visa-free access.

India's passport ranking of #82 highlights global mobility inequality. While it allows visa-free travel to 58 countries, the relatively low rank shows the challenges faced by travelers from developing countries compared to those from more developed nations.