Specifically, citizens of Japan and Singapore can visit 190 out of 218 countries without a visa. Meanwhile, British citizens can only visit 184 countries this year (186 in 2018).
Finland, Germany and South Korea share third place while Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg round out the top eight. Afghanistan is last on the list with 25 visa-free countries, down from 30 in 2018. Just above Afghanistan are Iraq, Syria, Somalia and Pakistan.
The UK held the top spot from 2013 to 2015, while Germans held the top spot in 2016 and 2017. But new visa policies helped Japan and Singapore take the top spot last year and retain their ranking this year. However, most European countries still dominate the overall rankings, with 19 of the 25 countries coming from Europe.
"Over the past 14 years, the top positions have always belonged to European or American countries. However, a change has begun to take place clearly since 2018, with Asian countries now gradually establishing themselves as leaders in economic activity and flexibility globally," the report stated.
The report also shows the rise of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has moved into the top 40 globally. UAE citizens can now travel to Africa, including South Africa, without a visa. Other countries that have risen significantly in recent years include China, Ukraine, Indonesia, Georgia and Peru.
COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS
Countries with the least powerful passports
