Singapore has lost its title as the nation with the 'most powerful' passport in the world - Japan is now number one.

New Zealanders hold the eighth-equal most powerful passport, along with the Czech Republic, according to the Henley Passport Index.

Japanese citizens get visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a whopping 190 countries, thanks to a new arrangement with Myanmar - that's one more country than Singaporeans, who have the access to 189.

Iraq and Afghanistan remain at the bottom of the Index, with the citizens of those countries entitled to visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 30 jurisdictions only.

Australian citizens hold a passport more powerful than their Kiwi neighbours, just; with access to one additional nation.

The US and the UK - which shared together the number one spot in 2015 - have fallen to fifth place, while Germany, China and Russia also sliding down the list.

The Henley Passport Index top ten for 2018 is as follows:

1. Japan: 190

2. Singapore: 189

3. Germany, France, South Korea: 188

4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden, Spain: 187

5. Norway, United Kingdom, Austria, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, United States: 186

6. Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada: 185

7. Australia, Greece, Malta: 183

8. New Zealand, Czech Republic: 182

9. Iceland: 181

10. Hungary, Slovenia, Malaysia: 180

The Index is said to be comprised of data collected from the International Air Transport Association.

Newshub.