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Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Reclaims Top Spot, India Slips, Cyprus Drops In Rankings

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 9, 2025

In the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Singapore has reclaimed its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan follows closely behind in second place, with visa-free access to 193 countries. However, the US has experienced a decline, dropping to ninth with access to 186 destinations, while India faces a significant setback, falling to 85th place in the global rankings.

European countries, particularly those within the EU, continue to hold strong positions. France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—who shared the top spot in 2024—have dropped to third place, now joined by Finland and South Korea, all offering visa-free access to 192 destinations. In the fourth spot, seven EU countries—Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden—offer visa-free travel to 191 destinations. The top five include Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK, and New Zealand, which all allow visa-free access to 190 destinations.

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The UK, once at the forefront of the index, continues its decline, a reflection of its diminished passport strength in recent years.

Cyprus’ Decline in Rankings

Cyprus has seen a decline in the 2025 rankings, slipping two positions to 14th place, down from 12th in 2024. The Cypriot passport now grants visa-free access to 179 destinations but still requires visas for 47 locations. While the passport has experienced fluctuations over the years, this drop marks a shift in its steady climb since the 2013 recovery from the financial crisis, where it jumped from 20th to 15th place.

Despite this setback, Cyprus maintains its position in the upper tier of global rankings, reflecting the nation’s ongoing diplomatic efforts and the importance of its passport within the EU.

Global Trends and Future Outlook

The Henley Passport Index reveals that while global travel freedom remains highly fluid, some countries, particularly those in Asia and Europe, continue to dominate. Meanwhile, regions like Afghanistan and Syria face considerable challenges in their passport power, with both countries’ passports granting access to only 26 destinations.

As global political and diplomatic relations evolve, it will be interesting to see how Cyprus and other nations adapt and work toward improving their passport rankings in the years to come.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.