The recently released Henley Passport Index for the year 2024 has unveiled France as the leading nation, with India observing a slight dip in its passport ranking, sliding from 84th place last year to 85th position this year.
This alteration in India's ranking might raise eyebrows, considering that, whereas last year Indian passport holders had visa-free access to 60 countries, this year that count has surged to 62.
The Henley Passport Index meticulously evaluates nations based on the potency of their passports. France currently dominates the list, with its passport facilitating visa-free entry to 194 countries.
Joining France at the summit are other high-ranking countries such as Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain.
On the other hand, Pakistan remains stationary at the 106th spot, consistent with its position from the previous year, while Bangladesh has witnessed a slight decline, moving from 101st to 102nd place.
Conversely, India's neighboring nation, Maldives, sustains its robust passport status, steadfastly holding onto the 58th position, affording Maldivian passport holders the liberty to travel visa-free to 96 countries.
India's descent in the rankings is noteworthy, especially considering recent initiatives from countries like Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand, which have extended visa-free entry to Indian tourists.
The Henley Passport Index, drawing from nearly two decades of data and leveraging the specialized data of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), meticulously evaluates 199 different passports encompassing 227 global travel destinations.
As a monthly updated index, it serves as a universal benchmark for citizens of sovereign nations, offering insights into global mobility trends over the past 19 years.
The data gleaned from the Henley Passport Index underscores profound shifts in global mobility trends, showcasing a notable surge from an average of 58 visa-free countries in 2006 to nearly doubling that figure to 111 countries this year.
