This is now the most powerful passport in the world
Citizens of Singapore have been declared as having the most powerful passport in the world, according to a new ranking.
Passport Index, which tracks passport usefulness, ranked Singapore as number one with its citizens being able to travel to the greatest number of countries visa-free.
This ranking follows Paraguay removing restrictions for Singaporeans.
This allows the approximately 3.4 million Singaporean passports to travel to 159 countries without a visa at all or can have one issued on arrival.
Germany came in at second place with its citizens able to visit 158 countries without a visa.
Sweden and South Korea tied in third place.
New Zealand tied with Greece and Australia at number seven.
Afghanistan received the lowest ranking with its citizens only having visa-free access to 22 countries.
Passport Index ranks passports based on the cross-border access a holder has. It was created by Canada-based global consultancy Arton Capital.
“For the first time ever, an Asian country has the most powerful passport in the world," Philippe May, managing director of Arton Capital's Singapore office said.
“It is a testament of Singapore's inclusive diplomatic relations and effective foreign policy.”
Passport Index is the only real time global ranking of the world’s passports, updated whenever new visa waivers and changes are announced.
Top 10 passports
1. Singapore
2. Germany
3. Sweden, South Korea
4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, France, Spain, Norway, Japan, UK
5. Luxembourg, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal
6. Malaysia, Ireland, US, Canada
7. Greece, New Zealand, Australia
8. Malta, Czechia, Iceland
9. Hungary
10. Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia
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