The claim that Bangladesh holds the 9th weakest passport in the world has sparked concern, criticism, and debate across social media and national discourse. Often cited from global passport indexes, this ranking is seen as a reflection not just of travel freedom, but of geopolitical standing and international perception.
This fact-check investigates whether Bangladesh’s passport truly ranks among the weakest globally.
Using credible sources such as the Henley Passport Index and other global mobility rankings, alongside expert commentary, this analysis unpacks the numbers behind the headline and explores what they actually mean for Bangladeshi citizens in practical terms.
Claim 1: Bangladesh’s Passport Is Ranked the 9th Weakest Globally in 2025
Fact-Check: False
The claim that Bangladesh’s passport is the 9th weakest in 2025 does not align with the most recent data. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025 Global Ranking, published by Henley & Partners, Bangladesh’s passport is ranked 100th out of 199 passports, sharing this position with Libya and the Palestinian Territories, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 40 destinations. This places it as the 7th weakest passport globally, not the 9th, as it is followed by Nepal (101st, 39 destinations), Somalia (102nd, 36 destinations), Pakistan (103rd, 34 destinations), Yemen (104th, 33 destinations), Iraq (105th, 31 destinations), Syria (106th, 28 destinations), and Afghanistan (107th, 26 destinations).
Historical reports, such as a 2021 The Business Standard article, noted Bangladesh’s passport as the 9th weakest (108th out of 116) with access to 40 destinations, and a 2022 article from the same source reaffirmed this ranking (104th out of 112). However, by 2023, Bangladesh improved to 101st out of 109, and in 2025, it reached 100th, indicating a gradual climb. The Passport Index 2025 by Arton Capital ranks Bangladesh 96th with access to 50 destinations, a stronger position than Henley’s ranking, reflecting differences in methodology (e.g., Henley uses IATA data, while Passport Index includes e-visas).
Verdict: The claim is false. Bangladesh’s passport is the 7th weakest globally in 2025 per the Henley Passport Index (100th out of 199), not the 9th weakest, with 40 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations. Variations in rankings (e.g., 96th in Passport Index) stem from differing methodologies, but the 9th weakest claim is outdated.
Claim 2: Bangladesh’s Passport Provides Limited Travel Freedom Compared to Other South Asian Countries
Fact-Check: True
Bangladesh’s passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 40 destinations per the Henley Passport Index 2025, including 15 in Africa, 11 in the Caribbean, 7 in Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), 6 in Asia, and 1 in South America, with no European countries accessible without a prior visa. In South Asia, it ranks fifth, behind Maldives (60th, 90 destinations), India (82nd, 62 destinations), Bhutan (88th, 55 destinations), and Sri Lanka (94th, 45 destinations), but above Nepal (101st, 39 destinations), Pakistan (103rd, 34 destinations), and Afghanistan (107th, 26 destinations).
The Passport Index 2025 reports a slightly higher mobility score, with Bangladesh at 96th and access to 50 destinations, but it remains less powerful than most South Asian peers.
