Revealed: The world’s most – and least – powerful passports

The UAE has made the biggest jump in the latest rankings of the world’s most powerful passports.

The UAE shot up five places in the Henley Passport Index to 15th in the world – meaning UAE citizens can now access at least 172 countries without the need for a visa in advance.

The UAE’s ranking is also by far the highest in the Middle East – significantly higher than second-place Turkey, which is 52nd worldwide with access to 112 countries.

The most powerful passports in the world according to the index are Japan and Singapore. Each provides access to 190 countries. Finland, Germany and South Korea are all tied for second at 188, followed by Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg at 187 each.

At the bottom of the rankings is Afghanistan, with access to 25 countries. Iraq is second-to-last at 27, just below Syria’s 29 and Pakistan and Somalia at 31.

The Henley Passport Index uses data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). It covers 199 different passports and 227 destinations.

BY THE NUMBERS: WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS
(by number of countries citizens have access to without need for a visa in advance)

1 (tied). Japan, Singapore // 190
2 (tied). Finland, Germany, South Korea // 188
3 (tied). Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg // 187
4 (tied). France, Spain, Sweden // 186
5 (tied). Austria, Netherlands, Portugal // 185
6 (tied). Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States // 184

BY THE NUMBERS: MIDDLE EAST’S MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS
(by number of countries citizens have access to without need for a visa in advance)

1. UAE // 172 (15th worldwide)
2. Turkey // 112 (52nd worldwide)
3. Kuwait / 93 (56th worldwide)
4. Bahrain // 81 (63rd worldwide)
5. Oman // 79 (64th worldwide)

BY THE NUMBERS: WORLD’S LEAST POWERFUL PASSPORTS
(by number of countries citizens have access to without need for a visa in advance)

Afghanistan // 25
Iraq // 27
Syria // 29
Pakistan // 31
Somalia // 31