Singapore has retained its position as the holder of the world’s strongest passport, securing a score of 91.27 out of 100, according to VisaGuide.World’s December 2024 ranking. The city-state’s passport continues to offer its holders unparalleled global mobility, maintaining the top spot over several key competitors.
However, the most significant shift in this quarter’s rankings comes from Finland, which has seen an impressive rise to second place. Up from 7th position earlier in 2024 and a surprising leap from 13th in 2023, Finland has edged past Spain to secure the coveted second spot with a score of 90.88. Spain follows closely behind with a score of 90.87.
Europe Dominates Global Rankings
Europe continues to dominate the list, with Finland, Spain, Denmark, and Italy all making the top five. Denmark ranks fourth with a score of 90.63, and Italy comes in fifth at 90.58. This strong showing highlights Europe’s significant travel freedom, especially with Schengen Zone nations offering passport-free travel within the region.
Other European countries rounding out the top 10 include Malta, France, Austria, and Hungary. Japan, the only non-European nation in the top 10, has risen to 8th place from 15th in 2023, underscoring its growing global mobility despite being outside the European Union’s expansive travel zone.
How VisaGuide.World Ranks Passports
VisaGuide.World ranks passports based on factors like visa-free access, eVisas, and entry policies globally, using a unique Destination Significance Score (DSS). The DSS incorporates multiple criteria, including global power, GDP, tourism development, and the ease of travel to destinations.
While the exact formula of the DSS is not disclosed, VisaGuide.World considers more than just the number of visa-free destinations. Countries that allow easier entry to highly developed, globally influential countries tend to score higher. For instance, a visa-free destination with a higher DSS will boost a passport’s score more than one with a lower DSS.
Shifting Visa Policies and Global Mobility
Despite the dominance of European passports, recent changes to international travel policies have led to shifts in global passport strength. For example, Spanish passport holders have seen a reduction in visa-free destinations, dropping from 160 to 107 countries. Similarly, the Singaporean passport, once capable of visa-free access to 164 destinations, now covers only 160.
Visa policies are fluid, affected by political and diplomatic changes, economic factors, and global stability, all of which can quickly alter the rankings. For now, however, Singapore continues to hold the top spot, while Finland’s rise signals the increasing importance of European passports in global travel freedom.
What’s Next for Passport Rankings?
With upcoming shifts in visa requirements, including the introduction of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), the rankings could change again. These developments will impact the travel freedom of non-EU citizens and could potentially influence future rankings of the world’s most powerful passports.
As of December 2024, Singapore remains the benchmark for global travel freedom, while Finland’s remarkable ascent highlights the enduring strength of European passports in a rapidly changing world.
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