Top 10 Weakest Passports in the World for 2024
The strength of a passport can determine how easily people can travel, impacting their access to work, education, and tourism opportunities worldwide. Each year, the Henley Passport Index ranks passports by the number of countries their holders can visit without needing a visa in advance. For some, this freedom is severely limited.
Why Some Passports Are Weaker
Passport strength depends on a country’s diplomatic relationships, economic stability, and security conditions. Countries facing conflicts, isolation, or economic challenges often have weaker passports. These factors limit their ability to negotiate visa-free agreements, leaving their citizens with fewer travel options.
Top 10 Weakest Passports
According to the Henley & Partners Passport Index for 2024, the following countries have the weakest passports, ranked from lowest to slightly less low:
- Afghanistan 🇦🇫 – Access to just 26 countries without a visa.
- Syria 🇸🇾 – Slightly better off with 27 visa-free destinations.
- Iraq 🇮🇶 – Offering access to 31 countries.
- Yemen 🇾🇪 – Allowing travel to 33 countries.
- Pakistan 🇵🇰 – Providing visa-free entry to 33 nations.
- Somalia 🇸🇴 – Offering access to 35 visa-free destinations.
- Nepal🇳🇵- Also with access to 39 visa-free destinations.
- Libya 🇱🇾 – Another passport granting access to 39 countries.
- Palestine 🇵🇸 – Passport holders can visit 40 countries without a visa.
- Bangladesh 🇧🇩 – Offering access to 40 visa-free destinations.
These rankings show the limited travel freedom available to people in these countries, restricting movement for work, study, or family visits.
Impact of Limited Passport Power
A weak passport affects many aspects of life. People from these countries face more barriers in accessing global job opportunities, attending international conferences, and even visiting family abroad. Students may find it harder to study in other countries, limiting their educational and professional growth.
Why It Matters
For individuals, a strong passport can mean more than just convenient travel—it opens doors to global opportunities. On a larger scale, restricted mobility reflects global inequalities, often based on factors beyond an individual’s control, like where they were born.
The 2024 Henley Passport Index highlights global travel inequalities, with some passports providing limited access to other countries. For many, a weaker passport restricts opportunities for work, education, and family connections. Strengthening a passport takes time and diplomatic effort, but it can expand access and improve global mobility for citizens.
