In a resounding demonstration of Asia’s growing power and influence on the world stage, three countries now hold joint top spot on the Henley Passport Index.
Japan, Singapore, and South Korea now hold joint top spot on the Henley Passport Index, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 189. These latest results consolidate 12 months of Asian dominance, after Japan first climbed to the top spot in February last year.
Following a visa-exemption from Uzbekistan, Germany currently sits alone in 2nd place, with a score of 188. Five countries now share 3rd place on the index – which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – with a score of 187: Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, and Sweden.
Progressive Shift
The U.K. and the U.S. look increasingly unlikely to regain the top spot they jointly held in 2015, with the U.K. now siting in 5th place with a visa-free/visa on arrival score of 185, and the U.S. in 6th, with a score of 184. Afghanistan and Iraq remain at the bottom of the ranking with a score of just 30, a position one or both countries have occupied throughout the index’s 14-year history.
«The Henley Passport Index has always been an important tool for global travelers, but the index reveals more than just the relative strength of the world’s passports. Crucially, it is also a lens into the kind of world we are living in, and the kinds of policies states are pursuing. The current strength of Asian passports is emblematic of this progressive shift, and it seems certain that more and more countries will follow suit in order to benefit from global flows of talent and capital,» Christian H. Kälin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, said.
Clear Momentum
As well as illustrating the widespread adoption of open visa policies, the latest rankings reflect the transformative effect that Asian development and growth is having on networks of transcontinental cooperation and connectivity.
«With all Asian countries topping the index, there is a clear momentum behind the region taking center stage in globalization. The steady rise of China through its visa-waiver agreements shows how incremental and reciprocal measures can lead to significant progress in trust and recognition,» Parag Khanna, Founder and Managing Partner of FutureMap and author of «The Future Is Asian: Global Order in the Twenty-first Century», said.
New Silk Roads
«With the Belt and Road Initiative expanding its constellation of member states and cross-border projects, we can fully expect Asian, European, Arab, and African countries to continue to seek more seamless access to each other’s countries. This will benefit both China and all states participating in the rising trade along the new Silk Roads,» he added.
