Germany and Singapore Vie for the Most Powerful Passport in the World

According to the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, Germany has the world's most powerful passport. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world's largest and most comprehensive database of travel information.

Germany reclaimed the top spot in that ranking after Singapore was ranked the most powerful passport in October 2017 by a separate passport ranking index by Arton Capital. Germans enjoy visa-free access to 177 countries compared to Singapore's 176.

Dr. Christian H. Kälin, Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, says the need for visa-free access is greater than ever: “Across the economic spectrum, individuals want to transcend the constraints imposed on them by their country of origin and access business, financial, career, and lifestyle opportunities on a global scale. The Henley Passport Index shows individuals where they lie on the spectrum of global mobility, revealing the strength that their passport has in relation to other passports."

Of the 199 countries featured on the index, 143 saw improvement in their rank over the past year, while seven (Azerbaijan, New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda, Algeria, Laos, North Korea and Syria) saw visa-free access reduced. Among the top climbers were Georgia (99 visa-free countries, up from 84), Ukraine (114, up from 100) and China (60, up from 50).

The US holds the fifth place in the 2018 edition of the index along with Ireland, Portugal and South Korea. The least powerful passport is Afghanistan, which can only open up visa-free borders with 24 countries.

Here are some other highlights from the Henley Passport Index:

Featured Image by GettyImage//johannes86.

H/T Business Insider