Japan has once again topped the list of the world’s most travel-friendly passports for 2020.
The Henley Passport Index, an annual ranking of the most powerful passports in the world, has released its first report for the new decade.
Japanese passport took the number one spot, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 191 other countries and regions.
Despite this advantage, the Japanese seem uninterested in going overseas – only 23 per cent of the population hold a passport in 2019, Nikkei Asian Review reported.
Singapore came in second with access to 190 countries. South Korea tied with Germany in third place, allowing holders to visit 187 destinations without visa.
Italy and Finland placed fourth, while Spain, Luxembourg and Denmark tied in fifth.
Australia and New Zealand held joint ninth place with Malta, Czech Republic and Canada.
On the bottom of the list was Afghanistan passport, which allows the holders to make a visa-free visit to only 26 countries.
“Countries that embrace this new reality of global mobility are thriving, with their citizens enjoying ever-increasing passport power and travel freedom, as well as the array of benefits that come with it,” said Dominic Volek, Henley & Partners' head of Southeast Asia and manager partner.
Top 10 most powerful passports of 2020:
- Japan (191 destinations)
- Singapore (190)
- Germany, South Korea (189)
- Finland, Italy (188)
- Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain (187)
- Sweden, France (186)
- Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland, Austria (185)
- Belgium, Greece, Norway, United States, United Kingdom (184)
- Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Czech Republic, Canada (183)
- Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary (181)