Henley Passport Index has come up with a list this year for the world’s most powerful passports 2021.
After nearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, governments are likewise reducing travel restrictions for overseas travelers, according to the Henley Passport Index.
The index rates countries’ passports based on the number of visa-free places they allow their holders to visit. The rankings are also based on the International Air Transport Association’s study of data (IATA).
This year’s list saw Japan and Singapore at the top. Their passport holders are able to travel visa-free to 192 countries. Also, South Korea and Germany tied for second place. Also, for the third year in a row, Japan has taken the top spot. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen, on the other hand, are among the least powerful countries.
India ranked 84th last year. It has now dropped to 90th place, with Indian passport holders being able to travel visa-free to 58 countries.
The firm’s Q4 Global Mobility report says, “The global mobility gap is at its widest point ever and continues to expand due to proliferating barriers to entry erected since the outbreak of the pandemic. Many countries in the global south have relaxed their borders in a concerted effort to revive their economies but there has been very little reciprocity from countries in the global north, which have enforced some of the most stringent inbound COVID-19-related travel restrictions. Even fully vaccinated travelers from countries at the lower end of the Henley Passport Index remain locked out of most of the developed world.”
Here is the list of the world’s most powerful and least powerful passports 2021
World’s 10 most powerful passports
1. Japan, Singapore (Score:192)
2. Germany, South Korea (Score: 190)
3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (Score: 189)
4. Austria, Denmark (Score: 188)
5. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden (Score: 187)
6. Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland (Score: 186)
7. Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, United Kingdom, United States (Score: 185)
8. Australia, Canada (Score: 184)
9. Hungary (Score: 183)
10. Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia (Score: 182)
World’s 10 least powerful passports
1. Iran, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Sudan (Score:41)
2. Bangladesh, Kosovo, Libya (Score: 40)
3. North Korea (Score: 39)
4. Nepal, Palestinian Territory (Score: 37)
5. Somalia (Score: 34)
6. Yemen (Score: 33)
7. Pakistan (Score: 31)
8. Syria (Score: 29)
9. Iraq (Score: 28)
10. Afghanistan (Score: 26)
The Henley Passport Index also claims to be the “original ranking of all the world’s passports,” prepared by Henley & Partners, a London-based worldwide citizenship and residence advice organization. 227 destinations and 199 passports are likewise included in the index.