The World Best Passports for Travel

Henley & Partners presented the results of the World Passport Index for the first quarter of 2023 based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IAA). 

Results. Japan tops the ranking of the strongest passports in the world by the number of visa—free destinations (or with a visa on arrival) open to passport holders of this country - 193 countries out of 227. Singapore and South Korea took second place with 192 visa-free destinations.

Features. Global travel figures have reached 75% of the pre–pandemic level - however, a deeper analysis of the index data indicates the largest gap in the 18-year history of the Index between its leaders and outsiders. Citizens of Afghanistan, whose passport remains in last place, can travel to 27 countries without visas. That is 166 countries less than Japan. 

An analysis by Henley & Partners experts indicates a link between the passports strength and the economic influence. Holders of passports from Afghanistan, Iraq (29 visa-free destinations), and Syria (30) are deprived of opportunities for visa-free travel and economic development.

Quote. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of the Henley & Partners Group of companies and creator of the Passport Index concept, shares: "The index is a useful tool for travelers. However, for global citizens and international businessmen, the best indicator of the economic opportunities provided by their passports is the indicator of what share of global GDP is available to them without a visa. Our analysis based on the Passport Index demonstrates what economic potential each passport provides, and it can be used as a tool to understand the ever-growing economic inequality and inequality in the level of well-being."

The power of the passport and the economy. The new survey is based on data from the Henley Passport Index and World Bank data on countries' GDP. It evaluates all 199 passports in terms of the "passport Power" indicator (Henley Passport Power, HPP). This indicator demonstrates the percentage of global GDP that each passport provides for its holders due to the opportunities for visa-free travel.

At the macro level, Henley & Partners research shows that only 6% of passports worldwide give their holders visa-free access to more than 70% of the global economy.

Examples. For example, a Japanese passport gives visa-free access to 193 destinations (85% of the world). Together, these countries account for 98% of the world economy (while Japan's contribution to GDP is about 5%). To compare this figure with the passport from the bottom, Nigerian passport holders can get visa-free access to only 46 destinations (20% of the world), and these countries account for 5% of global GDP. At the bottom of the ranking, Afghanistan's passport provides visa-free access to 12% of the world and less than 1% of the global GDP.

In terms of a percentage of global GDP, the US and China are responsible for 25% and 19% respectively, but US passport holders can get visa-free access to 43% of global GDP, bringing their total share to 68%, while Chinese passport holders can only get visa-free access to an additional 7%, as a result of which their total figure is only 26% of the world gross domestic product.

South Korea and Russia have similar national GDPs, accounting for about 1.9% of global economic output. However, South Korea has 192 points on the Passport Index, which gives its passport holders access to 81% of the global GDP, while Russia has 118 points, which gives its passport holders access to only 19% of the global economy.

Over the past period, Russia has not concluded agreements on visa-free travel but has lost visa-free entry to Taiwan.

Source: Henley & Partners Press Release
Photo by Agus Dietrich on Unsplash

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