Henley Passport Index 2026: Global Mobility Inequality Persists
The Henley Passport Index 2026, published by Henley & Partners based on official IATA data, reveals a stark reality: while global travel freedom is progressing, it remains deeply unequal across regions. The ranking evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa. In 2026, this criterion highlights a mobility geography dominated by Asia and Europe, while Africa and parts of the Arab world advance at vastly different rates.
Singapore Leads, Europe Solidifies its Position
Unsurprisingly, Singapore retains its top spot globally, with visa-free access to 192 destinations, a record. Japan and South Korea follow, confirming Asia's rising power in diplomacy and international mobility. Europe remains omnipresent in the top 10 and top 20, with a remarkable concentration of passports. Countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Nordic nations continue to benefit from extensive agreement networks and European free movement, a structural advantage.
In contrast, historically dominant passports like those of the United States and the United Kingdom, although still in the top 10, continue their relative decline started in recent years.
African Ranking
Africa remains the lowest-ranked region globally, despite some countries standing out. The top 3 African countries are:
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- South Africa In reality, most African passports offer visa-free access to fewer than 60 destinations, with some having access to fewer than 40.
Arab Countries
The United Arab Emirates is among the world's best passports, ranking in the top 5 globally. Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia occupy solid intermediate positions.
Tunisia's Position
In this global landscape, Tunisia occupies an intermediate position, ranking around 70th worldwide, with visa-free access to 67 destinations. In brief, on a:
- African scale, Tunisia is in the top third, but does not rival the continent's leaders.
- Arab scale, it remains behind Gulf countries but ahead of several regional states.
Afghanistan has the least powerful passport globally, with access to 24 countries without a visa.
Maghreb Passports (2026)
| Country | Global Rank | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 65th | 72 destinations |
| Tunisia | 70th | 67 destinations |
| Algeria | 80th | 55 destinations |
| Mauritania | 79th | 56 destinations |
| Libya | 93rd | 39 destinations |
The complete ranking can be found here: https://cdn.henleyglobal.com/storage/app/media/HPI/Henley%20Passport%20Index%202026%20January%20Global%20Ranking.pdf
