Singapore has the world's "most powerful" passport, according to a global ranking. This is the first Asian country to have topped the list along with India at the 75th position, three notches better than its previous ranking.
According to the 'Global Passport Power Rank 2017' by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital, Germany is ranked second, followed by Sweden and South Korea in the third place.
Paraguay removed visa requirements for Singaporeans, propelling Singapore's passport to the top of the Passport Index’ ‘most powerful’ list with a visa-free score of 159, the company statement said.
Historically, the 10 most powerful passports in the world were mostly European, with Germany leading since the past two years. Since early 2017, the number one position was shared with Singapore, which was steadily going up, it said.
For the first time ever an Asian country has the most powerful passport in the world. It is a testament of Singapore’s inclusive diplomatic relations and effective foreign policy.Philippe May, managing director of Arton Capital’s Singapore office told PTI.
India, which was listed 78th last year, has improved its ranking, figuring at the 75th position with a visa-free score of 51.
Securing the last spot on the list is Afghanistan, ranked 94 with a score of 22, preceded by Pakistan and Iraq at 93 with a score of 26, Syria at 92 having a score of 29 and Somalia at 91 with a score 34.
Visa-free global mobility has become an important factor in today’s world. More and more people every year invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a second passport to offer better opportunity and security for their families.Armand Arton, Founder and President of Arton Capital.
While Singapore quietly climbed the ranks, the US passport has slipped from the higher positions since President Donald Trump took office. Most recently Turkey and the Central African Republic revoked their visa-free status to US passport holders, the statement said.
Passport Index has become the most popular interactive online tool to display, sort and rank the world's passports.
The index ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring, assigning a "visa-free score" according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.
Also Read: Fact Check: Modi on Passports For Married Women and Single Parents
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