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Global Passport Power Analysis (2024-2025)

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1. What is Passport Power?

• Passport power refers to the number of countries a passport from a particular nation allows visa-free entry to. This is a key indicator of a country’s diplomatic influence and international standing.
• The Henley Passport Index is a leading metric used to assess this, analyzing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• Passport power rankings and visa-free agreements for South Korea and other major nations change annually, reflecting a comprehensive analysis of data from 199 countries worldwide.

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2. Global Passport Power Trends in 2024 and 2025

Top Countries in 2024 (Joint First Place)

• 1st Place (194 Visa-Free Agreements)

  • Japan, Singapore, Germany, Italy, France, Spain
  • These countries hold the record for the highest number of visa-free agreements, guaranteeing high travel freedom worldwide.

• 2nd Place (193 Visa-Free Agreements)

  • South Korea, Finland, Sweden
  • South Korea has consistently maintained a high ranking since the 2020s, a testament to its diplomatic and economic stability.

Top Countries in 2025 (Changing Trends)

• In 2025, Japan’s ranking fell to 2nd place, while Singapore uniquely increased its score to 195 countries, taking 1st place alone.
• South Korea currently maintains 3rd place (192 Visa-Free Agreements), sharing its ranking with countries like Finland and France.

United States and China

• United States: Formerly ranked 1st in 2014, the U.S. has now fallen to 9th place (from 7th) as of 2024. It maintains visa-free agreements with 186 countries, but has limited agreements with less amicable nations such as China and Russia.
• China: Currently ranked 62nd, with visa-free access to 85 countries. This has improved over time but still lags behind major developed countries.

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3. Growth and Features of the South Korean Passport

• The passport power of South Korea has risen from 12-13th place in the early 2000s to consistently ranking 2nd or 3rd in the 2020s.
• South Korea has visa-free agreements with specific major countries (like China and India), reflecting its high diplomatic credibility in Asia.

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4. Lower-Ranking Countries

• The lowest-ranked passports are predominantly from countries experiencing civil war, dictatorship, or poverty.
• Bottom-Ranking Countries
  • Afghanistan (26 visa-free entries), Iraq, Syria
  • North Korea: 99th place, with visa-free agreements to 41 countries, exhibiting a downward trend since surveys began in 2006.

Analysis and Implications

• Visa requirements in countries facing civil war or dictatorship significantly affect the safety of foreign visitors, political stability, and international reputation.
• Dictatorships, such as North Korea, face larger restrictions on international travel, leading to greater economic and cultural isolation.

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5. Implications and Conclusion

• Passport power signifies more than just a country's ranking, reflecting political stability, economic cooperation, and diplomatic influence.
• South Korea maintaining 3rd place reflects its stable political and diplomatic status.
• However, this position requires ongoing international negotiations and establishing trust, along with managing domestic and international risks.

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< Summary >

• Passport power reflects a country’s global influence, with South Korea currently ranked 3rd with visa-free agreements with 192 countries.

• In 2025, Singapore ranks 1st (195 countries), followed by the U.S. in 9th, China in 62nd, and North Korea in 99th place.

• An increase in passport power reflects economic strength and diplomatic trust, while low rankings from countries experiencing internal conflicts and dictatorships denote political instability.

• Crafted by Billy Yang

• [Related Articles at Next-Korea.com]

Understanding and Utilizing the Henley Passport Index
The Correlation Between Global Diplomatic Indices and Passport Power

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