Ireland outranks UK in Henley Passport Index 2024
In a surprising turn of events, Ireland has secured its position as one of the world’s most powerful passports, jointly claiming the third spot in the recently unveiled Henley Passport Index 2024. The annual Henley Passport Index 2024 ranks nations according to how many places their passports allow them to visit, either without a visa or with one upon arrival.
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Which countries are on top of Henley Passport Index 2024?
For the past five years, Japan held the coveted top spot, but this year it shares its throne with five European nations – France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and Spain. These countries’ passport holders are able to visit an amazing 194 places worldwide—out of 227—without a visa.
In second position, South Korea, Finland, and Sweden are not far behind, providing visa-free travel to 193 locations. With 192 locations, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands shared third position.
The United Kingdom has experienced a notable climb in the rankings this year, moving up two places to secure the fourth spot alongside Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and Portugal, allowing passport holders access to 191 nations each.
Greece, Malta, and Switzerland, which offer visa-free travel to 190 locations, complete the top five.
In contrast, Afghanistan holds the least powerful passport, granting access to a mere 28 destinations without the need for a visa in advance. The difference between the most and least powerful passports on the index is reflected in the tight succession of Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen.
Dr. Christian H Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and the pioneer behind the passport index concept, commented on the significant growth in the gap between the most and least powerful passports since the index’s inception. According to him, there would be 111 visa-free locations on average by 2024, up from 58 in 2006.
The Henley Passport Index continues to be a trustworthy benchmark for evaluating passport strength internationally since it is based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The top-ranked nations have access to 166 times more visa-free travel destinations than Afghanistan as we start a new year, underscoring the huge disparity in passport power.
As international travel continues to evolve, these rankings shed light on the changing landscape of global mobility and the diplomatic strength associated with passport privileges. Ireland’s impressive joint third position underscores the country’s commitment to fostering strong international relations and facilitating global travel for its citizens.
