Bangladeshi passport now weaker than N. Korea's

Bangladesh's passport has dropped a notch in strength, occupying the 97th rank in the Henley Passport Index.

The global passport ranking for 2024 was conducted based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority, or IATA, which ranks the world’s passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

The Bangladeshi passport entitles visa-free travel to 40 destinations, according to the latest ranking by the Henley Passport Index, released Wednesday.

Bangladesh shares the 97th spot with the Palestinian Territories. North Korea occupies the 96th spot, with access to 41 destinations.  

Singapore passport has been named the world's most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 countries, as per the list. France, Italy, Germany and Spain tied with Japan in second place, providing passport holders access to 192 countries. Then, in third place in the ranking, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden all have visa-free access to 191 destinations. 

The United Kingdom is fourth, alongside New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland. Australia and Portugal shared the No. 5 spot, while the United States dropped down to eighth place, with visa-free access to 186 countries. 

Neighbouring India's passport ranked 82nd on the list, with citizens allowed to travel to 58 countries without a visa, including popular destinations like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Pakistan is positioned at 100th, providing passport holders access to 33 countries. At the bottom of the list is Afghanistan with easy access to 26 destinations.