UK Falls to 6th Globally as Singapore Tops 2025 Henley Passport Index

The 2025 Henley Passport Index has revealed the latest global passport rankings, showing some countries climbing the mobility ladder while others, including Nigeria and the UK, face mixed results.

Nigeria’s Modest Climb – But Little to Celebrate
Nigeria’s passport has moved up slightly from 92nd to 88th place in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 45 destinations.

While the jump represents progress on paper, it still places Nigeria among Africa’s weakest passports, tied with Ethiopia and Myanmar.

Despite the modest rise, the Nigerian travel document continues to limit global mobility for its citizens. This is especially notable in a time where other African countries are seeing stronger gains in global access.

Africa’s Strongest: Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa Lead
On the continent, Seychelles retains its position as Africa’s most powerful passport, ranking 24th globally with visa-free access to 156 countries. Mauritius follows at 29th place (151 destinations), and South Africa holds the 48th position with access to 106 destinations.

Other African countries ahead of Nigeria include Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Malawi, further highlighting the limited reach of the Nigerian passport.

UK’s Global Decline Continues
Once the world’s strongest passport between 2013 and 2015, the UK has now dropped to 6th place with visa-free access to 186 countries. Since Brexit, the blue British passport has steadily lost ground on global mobility rankings.

In comparison, the United States has also fallen — now sitting in 10th place with 182 visa-free destinations, down eight places in the last decade.

Global Leaders: Singapore, Japan, and South Korea
At the top of the index, Singapore holds the most powerful passport in the world, granting visa-free access to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea share the second position with access to 190 destinations.

Several European nations dominate the top 10, including Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, and Spain, each with access to 189 destinations.

Biggest Movers and Insights
Notable upward movers in the latest report include India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, each improving their global reach significantly. Meanwhile, Venezuela, Vanuatu, the UK, and US have slipped down in rankings.

According to Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, “Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it’s a reflection of your country’s diplomatic influence and international relationships.”

While Nigeria’s slight rise is noteworthy, the country still faces serious barriers when it comes to global mobility. As other African nations strengthen diplomatic ties and expand access, Nigeria’s position remains constrained—highlighting the need for improved foreign policy, global partnerships, and internal reforms to boost its citizens’ international opportunities.

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