There is probably no ranking in the world that does not encourage people to ask themselves: And where do I stand? Especially, of course, when this ranking provides information about where people actually stand or where they are allowed to stay, like the annual “Henley Passport Index” from London. Since 2006, this has shown which passports of which nations offer how much freedom of travel. It is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and will be updated as visa policy changes come into effect. In this way, it reflects how big or small the world is becoming for passport holders.
It’s even bigger this year for residents of Singapore – you have visa-free access to 193 of 227 travel destinations with the appropriate passport. In second place, one place better than last year: Germany – level with Italy and Spain. All three have free access to 190 destinations. Former leader Japan came third with South Korea, Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg and Sweden, with 189 destinations. On the one hand, the placement depends on how open the countries themselves are, but it also changes due to crises, wars, diplomatic or even human upsets.
For example, when Russian influencers in Bali attracted attention a few months ago because they photographed themselves naked in front of sacred trees, the provincial government did not like them. Instead, the “visa on arrival” for Russians was canceled. So while the ranking says nothing about individuals, it does say something about how they are perceived abroad. A competition quickly arises, like in other national comparisons, the soccer World Cup or the Eurovision Song Contest, for example.
The report is also interesting to read from behind
English-language news channel CNN pointed out that the US and UK remain “on a downtrend” after previously sharing first place. When the report was published, it was warned that the slippage would contribute to a “declining soft power in the USA”. “Global connectivity and access have become indispensable attributes for creating and sustaining wealth,” it said. So it’s also about money, in times of globalized capitalism.
Therefore, the report is also interesting when read from the end. So complained the Pakistani magazine The Dawn on Thursday that Pakistan’s passport was ranked “fourth worst” in the world. With 33 travel destinations in the current ranking, Pakistan is only “ahead of the passes of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan”. The DailyStar from Dhaka, on the other hand, reported happily: “Bangladesh has improved by five places to 96th place.” “India secures No. 80,” was the headline The Hindu, “but is also one of the countries that make visa-free entry the worst possible.” Now you could argue that India is so big and diverse that you don’t have to leave the country to see something else. But that’s not what rankings are about.