Germany has emerged as the world’s most powerful passport, according to the latest Passport Index released by Arton Capital.
Singapore has overtaken South Korea and become the highest ranked Asian passport, with a visa free score of 156, coming second. Visa-free score represents the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.
Within the GCC region, UAE took the crown as the most powerful passport, which allows nationals to travel to 122 countries visa-free or on arrival. The UAE was ranked as the world’s 27th most powerful passport.
Kuwait came second in the Gulf, with 81 countries allowing entry without a visa or with visa on arrival, followed by Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Overall, South Korea fell to the sixth position, while Japan, rose to the fourth place, tied with European countries like Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and others whose passports allow citizens to travel visa-free on arrival to 154 countries.
According to Arton Capital, more countries around the world have opened up their borders in recent times, with the “world openness score” rising from 17,925 in 2016 to 17,948 in the first few days of 2017.
However, the trend may not continue, with the recent backlash on globalisation. “The world openness score may be in danger of decline,” Arton Capital cautioned.
10 most powerful passports in the world:
1.Germany
2. Singapore, Sweden
3. Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, UK, USA
4. Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal, Japan
5. Malaysia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand
6. Greece, South Korea, Australia
7.Czech Republic, Iceland
8. Hungary
9.Malta, Poland
10. Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia
Most powerful passports in GCC:
1. UAE
Global rank: 27
2. Kuwait
Global rank: 50
3. Qatar
Global rank: 51
4. Bahrain
Global rank: 54
5. Oman
Global rank: 56
6. Saudi Arabia
Global rank: 58
New Top 10 Individual Passport Power Ranking:
1. Germany
2. Singapore
3. Sweden
4. Denmark
5. Finland
6. France
7. Spain
8. Switzerland
9. Norway
10. United Kingdom