U.S. Passport Power Slips: See Which Countries Are Gaining Ground
Photo Credit: A U.S. traveler holding a passport. Levi Ventura / Unsplash
Skift Take
The 2025 Henley Passport Index makes one thing clear: travel freedom isn’t just a Western advantage anymore. And that shift isn’t just about where people go on a holiday, it matters for companies, governments, and industries that rely on people being able to move easily across borders.
The latest Henley Passport Index shows a reshuffling in the global mobility hierarchy. While familiar names still top the list — Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, and Finland — the momentum has clearly shifted.
The United States, once ranked No. 1 just over a decade ago, has now dropped to 10th place. American passport holders can access 182 destinations without a visa. Last year, the U.S. ranked seventh. This year’s position marks its lowest standing in two decades.
The United Kingdom has also slipped. Now ranked sixth, the UK is down two places from last year.
According to Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, the drop in rankings for both countries reflects broader shifts in global access.
“Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citi
