Bangladesh has improved its global passport standing, climbing three places to 93rd in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index.
The improvement reflect a modest expansion in international travel access for Bangladeshi passport holders.
According to the updated ranking, Bangladesh moved up from 96th position in the previous index. Despite the improvement, the country continues to lag behind several regional peers in South Asia in terms of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
At the top of the global list, Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering its citizens the widest range of travel access without prior visas. Japan and South Korea jointly secured second place, continuing their strong performance in global mobility rankings.
Sweden and the United Arab Emirates shared the third position, highlighting the UAE’s continued rise as one of the most mobile nations over the past decade. A large group of European countries occupied the fourth spot, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.
Within South Asia, India ranked 75th, maintaining a significant lead over Bangladesh. Pakistan placed 97th, four positions below Bangladesh, while Afghanistan remained at the bottom of the index, continuing to hold the weakest passport globally.
The Henley Passport Index, compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association, ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Analysts say Bangladesh’s slight upward movement indicates incremental progress in diplomatic relations and mobility access, though the country still faces substantial challenges in improving global travel freedom for its citizens.
Experts note that sustained improvements in governance, international cooperation and bilateral visa agreements will be crucial if Bangladesh is to make more significant gains in future editions of the index.
