Monday January 11, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's passport is the fifth weakest passport on the planet, according to a UK-based citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley and Partners, The firm has been assessing the strength of 199 of the world's passports since 2006.
The annual report ranked Somalia's passport 106th globally. It scored a 33 on their mobility score. The score is determined by the number of countries they can access visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival—the Somali passport grants visa-free access to only six countries and another 26 on arrival. The vast majority of countries - 165 - require a visa. Only Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan have weaker passports. Yemen also scored a 33, making it a tie with Somalia.
This year Japan was ranked as having the most powerful passport with visa-free access to 191 countries globally. Singapore came in second place, while South Korea and Germany are tied for third place.
Henley and Partners noted that the last few years had seen passports from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region strengthening, with nations like Japan, Singapore and South Korea leading the way. At the same time, the passports of the US and the UK have been steadily eroding. Since 2014, the US passport has fallen from the number one spot to 7th place, which currently shares with the UK. The pandemic had made it even more difficult for the British and Americans to travel as they are presently restricted from entering over 105 countries. US passport holders can travel to fewer than 75 destinations, while UK passport holders currently have access to fewer than 70.
The United Arab Emirates has the 16th most powerful passport in the world. When Henley first produced the passport index, the UAE came in at 62nd. The climb is credited with new visa agreements signed with different countries over recent years.
STRONGEST PASSPORTS IN 2021
1. Japan (191 destinations)
2. Singapore (190)
3. South Korea, Germany (189)
4. Italy, Finland, Spain, Luxembourg (188)
5. Denmark, Austria (187)
6. Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland (186)
7. Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, New Zealand (185)
8. Greece, Malta, Czech Republic, Australia (184)
9. Canada (183)
10. Hungary (181)
WEAKEST PASSPORTS IN 2021
101. Iran, Bangladesh (41 destinations)
102. Lebanon, Kosovo, Sudan (40)
103. North Korea (39)
104. Libya, Nepal (38)
105. Palestinian territories (37)
106. Somalia, Yemen (33)
107. Pakistan (32)
108. Syria (29)
109. Iraq (28)
110. Afghanistan (26)