Pakistan 4th, Nepal 7th, North Korea 8th: Check the Top Ten Weakest Passports in the World in 2024

In an increasingly interconnected world, the power of a passport often reflects a nation’s diplomatic relationships, economic stability, and overall global standing. The Henley Passport Index, a comprehensive ranking of the world’s passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, offers valuable insights into global mobility. 

For 2024, the index highlights significant disparities, with some passports providing much greater freedom of travel than others. Here, we focus on the ten countries with the weakest passports, underscoring the limitations their citizens face in international travel.

1. Afghanistan (28 Destinations)

Afghanistan holds the unfortunate title of the world’s least powerful passport in 2024. With visa-free access to just 28 countries, Afghan citizens face significant restrictions. This limited mobility is a direct consequence of ongoing political instability and security concerns, making international travel a challenging prospect for many.

2. Syria (29 Destinations)

Syria’s passport ranks slightly above Afghanistan, offering visa-free access to 29 countries. The devastating civil war and resultant humanitarian crisis have severely impacted Syria's diplomatic relations and international standing, thus restricting the travel freedoms of its citizens.

3. Iraq (31 Destinations)

Iraq is third on the list, with its passport granting visa-free entry to 31 countries. The persistent challenges of political turmoil, security issues, and rebuilding efforts post-conflict contribute to the limited mobility Iraqi passport holders experience.

4. Pakistan (34 Destinations)

Pakistan’s passport, ranked as the fourth least powerful, allows visa-free access to 34 destinations. Despite improvements in certain areas, Pakistan’s international mobility remains hindered by security concerns and complex diplomatic relations with various countries.

5. Yemen (35 Destinations)

The Yemeni passport provides visa-free access to 35 countries, placing it fifth on the list of weakest passports. Ongoing conflict and political instability have led to significant travel restrictions for Yemeni citizens, affecting their ability to travel abroad freely.

6. Somalia (36 Destinations)

Somalia ranks sixth, with its citizens enjoying visa-free travel to 36 countries. The country’s long-standing issues with governance, security, and economic instability have severely limited the power of its passport.

7. Libya, Nepal, Palestinian Territories (40 Destinations)

Sharing the seventh spot, Libya, Nepal, and the Palestinian territories each offer visa-free access to 40 countries. These regions face varying challenges, from political unrest in Libya and the Palestinian territories to economic and developmental hurdles in Nepal, all contributing to restricted travel freedoms.

8. Bangladesh, North Korea (42 Destinations)

Bangladesh and North Korea, ranking eighth, allow their citizens visa-free entry to 42 countries. Geopolitical dynamics, including North Korea’s isolationist policies and Bangladesh’s developmental and political challenges, play significant roles in shaping their international travel limitations.

9. Eritrea, Sri Lanka (43 Destinations)

Ninth on the list are Eritrea and Sri Lanka, with their passports granting access to 43 countries without a visa. Diplomatic relations and regional stability issues heavily influence the travel restrictions faced by citizens of these nations.

10. Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan (45 Destinations)

Rounding out the top ten are Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, and Sudan, each providing visa-free access to 45 countries. The diverse challenges these countries face, from economic sanctions and political instability to regional conflicts, are reflected in the limited power of their passports.

The Henley Passport Index 2024 highlights the profound impact of global politics, security, and diplomacy on travel freedoms. For the citizens of these ten countries with the weakest passports, international mobility remains a significant challenge, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts and stability to enhance their global standing. 

As we look to the future, improving passport power for these nations will require concerted efforts in peacebuilding, economic development, and international cooperation.