Millions of people see a passport measure of freedom, more than a travel document, as an opportunity to access global transitions. But, the Henley Passport Index 2026 once again exposes a stark reality that where you are born still largely determines how freely you can move through the world.
Based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the index ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, including visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorisations. At the bottom of the 2026 ranking, just 10 countries account for the world’s weakest passports, highlighting a widening gap between nations with global mobility and those effectively locked behind borders.
As for the citizens of Eritrea, North Korea and the Palestinian Territory, they jointly ranked 94th position with access to just 38 destinations. As their traveling restrictions are shaped much more by politics than just paper-works. North Korea’s isolationist policies and international sanctions make outbound travel rare. Palestinians, whose statehood is only partially recognised, face intense security checks and limited control over borders. Eritrea’s prolonged militarisation and history of conflict, continue to restrict its citizens’ mobility.
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