The latest Henley Passport Index reveals that the U.S. passport has dropped to 12th place, marking the first time it has fallen out of the top 10 in the index’s 20-year history. Once ranked number one in 2014, the U.S. passport has seen a steady decline, which experts attribute to shifting global mobility dynamics and diminishing soft power. Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners, emphasized that countries embracing openness and cooperation are gaining influence, while those relying on past privileges are losing ground.
Malaysia’s passport, which had climbed to 11th place last year, now shares the 12th spot with the U.S., granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a wide range of destinations. Despite the slight drop, many Malaysians expressed pride in their passport’s strength, celebrating its broad global access. Meanwhile, Singapore continues to lead the index, offering visa-free entry to 193 destinations, followed closely by South Korea and Japan.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is updated regularly to reflect changes in visa policies and is widely regarded as a benchmark for global travel freedom. In contrast to Malaysia’s rise, Vietnam’s passport has slipped to 92nd place, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 50 destinations.
