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The World’s 30 Least Powerful Passports in 2024

In this article, we will list and explore the world’s 30 least powerful passports in 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis and go directly to our list of The World’s 5 Least Powerful Passports in 2024.

A strong passport is an asset in today’s world, providing its holders with benefits that go beyond travel freedom. The greater the global mobility a passport affords, the more it facilitates travel, mirroring deeper aspects of international diplomacy, economic health, and political stability of a nation. Our article 25 Most Powerful Passports in the World, presents a thorough analysis of countries with the most powerful passports around the world.

Do Passports Influence the Economic Potential?

Going into detail, a weak passport primarily restricts international travel by enforcing strict visa requirements and long processing times, limiting leisure, family visits, and business activities. This hampers entrepreneurs and professionals from attending international events, stifling innovation and growth, and complicates pursuing educational or professional opportunities abroad.

Focusing solely on tourism, the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of 2024 reports that global tourism in 2023 reached 88% of its pre-pandemic volume, with 1.3 billion international visitors. A full recovery is projected by the end of 2024, driven by increased flight options and stronger demand, especially in Asian markets. Regional performance varied: the Middle East exceeded its 2019 levels by 22%, Europe achieved 94%, Africa 96%, the Americas 90%, while Asia-Pacific lagged at 65%, with disparities within the region—South Asia at 87% and North-East Asia at 55%. Moreover, tourism revenues hit $1.4 trillion in 2023, about 93% of 2019’s $1.5 trillion. Including passenger transport, total tourism exports approached $1.6 trillion, roughly 95% of the $1.7 trillion from 2019. Tourism’s direct contribution to global GDP stood at $3.3 trillion, equating to 3% of global GDP.

Reiterating above statistics, regions that are more accessible to people from countries with stronger passports are likely to see quicker and more recovery and growth in tourism. In contrast, regions that rely majorly on tourists from countries with weaker passports might experience slower recovery and growth, as seen in the Asia-Pacific figures. This comparison underscores that counties with limited travel options, due to the weakness of their passports, may drastically experience reduced economic impacts and opportunities. Industry leaders including Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), and Visa Inc (NYSE:V), among others, can strengthen their positions in travel and financial services in weaker economies by tapping into the demand for domestic and international transactions, thereby aiding economic growth.

On April 22, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) research based on input from over 31,000 travelers across 34 countries, revealed that while 83% consider sustainable travel important, many do not prioritize it when planning trips. Additionally, 28% express fatigue with the constant discussion of climate change. These findings emphasize the need for collective action to maintain progress towards sustainability in the travel industry.

On March 6, The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) entered a 7-year collaboration with Visa Inc (NYSE:V), expanding Western Union’s services to enable customers to send money to eligible Visa Inc (NYSE:V) cards and bank accounts across 40 countries in five regions. The partnership encompasses card issuance, integration with Visa Direct for faster transactions, and the provision of additional services such as risk management products. The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) customers will also have access to Visa Inc (NYSE:V) prepaid cards in selected markets, offering both physical and digital solutions. Additionally, the collaboration aims to develop disbursement programs tailored for humanitarian organizations and governments, facilitating the distribution of essential funds during emergencies, including emergency relief, cross-border pensions, and domestic benefits disbursement.

Pixabay / Public domain

Methodology

Our methodology for ranking world’s least powerful passports in 2024 centers on two key metrics: the number of visa-free destinations accessible to each country’s citizens, sourced from the Guide Consultants’ Visa Index, and the Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism Percentile Rank from The World Bank. The primary metric assesses global mobility, while the secondary evaluates the political stability and safety of the country, providing a comprehensive view of each passport’s power. Our list is presented in descending order, with the weakest passport in 2024 taking first place.

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The World’s 30 Least Powerful Passports in 2024

30. Cameroon

Visa Free Destinations: 52

Political Stability: 11

With limited visa-free access to only 52 destinations and a low political stability score of 11, Cameroon faces significant governance challenges that are exacerbated by regional conflicts and socio-economic disparities.

29. Angola

Visa Free Destinations: 51

Political Stability: 23

Angola continues to struggle with the repercussions of a lengthy civil war, reflected in its restricted visa-free access (51 destinations) and moderate political instability (score of 23), which hampers economic recovery and development efforts.

28. Haiti

Visa Free Destinations: 50

Political Stability: 10

Haiti is grappling with profound political instability (score of 10) and limited global mobility (50 visa-free destinations), factors that contribute to its ongoing humanitarian crises and hinder sustainable development.

27. Republic of the Congo

 Visa Free Destinations: 50

Political Stability: 46

Despite a relatively higher political stability score of 46, the Republic of the Congo offers its citizens access to only 50 visa-free destinations, reflecting ongoing challenges in governance and international relations.

26. Turkmenistan

Visa Free Destinations: 49

Political Stability: 42

Turkmenistan’s restrictive regime is evident in its limited visa-free travel (49 destinations) and political stability score of 42, with the government maintaining tight control over all aspects of life, affecting economic and social progress.

25. Laos

Visa Free Destinations: 49

Political Stability: 74

Laos, with a visa-free score of 49 and a high political stability score of 74, still faces developmental challenges, including limited economic diversification and restrictions on civil liberties.

24. Burundi

Visa Free Destinations: 49

Political Stability: 13

Burundi: Burundi is struggling with a low political stability score of 13 and limited visa-free access (49 destinations), compounded by ongoing political unrest and economic hardship.

23. Liberia

Visa Free Destinations: 48

Political Stability: 36

Post-civil war recovery in Liberia is slow, with a political stability score of 36 and visa-free access to only 48 countries, reflecting lingering governance and economic challenges.

22. Djibouti

Visa Free Destinations: 48 

Political Stability: 27

Djibouti offers limited visa-free travel (48 destinations) and faces moderate political challenges (score of 27), impacting its strategic economic potential despite significant foreign investments.

21. Nigeria

Visa Free Destinations: 46

Political Stability: 8

Nigeria, faces severe political instability (score of 8) and limited global mobility (46 visa-free destinations), hindering its potential as a leading emerging market.

20. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Visa Free Destinations: 45

Political Stability: 6

With a low political stability score of 6 and visa-free access to only 45 countries, the DRC continues to face significant humanitarian and governance crises.

19. South Sudan

Visa Free Destinations: 45

Political Stability: 3

The young nation struggles with extreme political instability (score of 3) and limited visa-free access (45 destinations), severely affecting its development and peace-building efforts.

18. Lebanon

Visa Free Destinations: 45

Political Stability: 9

Lebanon is currently facing a multifaceted crisis, characterized by a political stability score of 9 and access to 45 visa-free destinations, significantly impacting its economic stability and public services.

17. Ethiopia

Visa Free Destinations: 45

Political Stability: 5

Despite being a fast-growing economy, Ethiopia struggles with political unrest and instability (score of 5), limiting its progress and international mobility (45 visa-free destinations).

16. Iran

Visa Free Destinations: 44

Political Stability: 8

International sanctions and internal political challenges (score of 8) continue to restrict Iran’s global engagement and mobility, reflected in visa-free access to just 44 countries.

15. Myanmar

Visa Free Destinations: 43

Political Stability: 3

Myanmar faces international isolation and internal conflict, with a political stability score of 3 and access to only 43 visa-free destinations.

14. Sri Lanka

Visa Free Destinations: 43

Political Stability: 19

Recent political and economic crises have shaken Sri Lanka, limiting its international mobility (43 visa-free destinations) and reducing political stability (score of 19).

13. Sudan

Visa Free Destinations: 42

Political Stability: 5

Sudan’s ongoing political transition and conflicts contribute to its low stability score of 5 and restricted global mobility (42 visa-free destinations).

12. North Korea

Visa Free Destinations: 40

Political Stability: 30

North Korea remains one of the most isolated countries globally, with limited visa-free access (40 destinations) and moderate political stability (score of 30) due to its authoritarian regime.

11. Libya

Visa Free Destinations: 40

Political Stability: 4

Since the fall of one of the supreme leaders, Libya has faced near-total political collapse (stability score of 4) and severely limited international mobility (40 visa-free destinations).

10. Eritrea

Visa Free Destinations: 40

Political Stability: 15

Known for its stringent control over its citizens and limited freedoms, Eritrea struggles with political stability (score of 15) and offers minimal visa-free travel (40 destinations).

9. Nepal

Visa Free Destinations: 38

Political Stability: 38

Despite a reasonable level of political stability (score of 38), Nepal faces significant economic and developmental challenges, limiting its citizens’ visa-free access to 38 countries.

8. Bangladesh

Visa Free Destinations: 38

Political Stability: 13

Bangladesh confronts considerable political instability (score of 13) and economic challenges, impacting its global standing and visa-free travel (38 destinations).

7. Palestinian Territories

Visa Free Destinations: 36

Political Stability: 7

Under continuous political strain (stability score of 7) and restricted sovereignty, the Palestinian Territories offer limited visa-free travel (36 destinations) to its residents.

6. Somalia

Visa Free Destinations: 36

Political Stability: 1

Somalia is marred by ongoing conflict and the world’s lowest political stability score (1), severely limiting opportunities for international mobility (36 visa-free destinations).

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Disclosure: None. The World’s 30 Least Powerful Passports in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

When Jeff Bezos said that one breakthrough technology would shape Amazon’s destiny, even Wall Street’s biggest analysts were caught off guard.

Fast forward a year and Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technology that is already being used across Amazon to reinvent customer experiences.

At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference, Elon Musk predicted that by 2040 there would be at least 10 billion humanoid robots, with each priced between $20,000 and $25,000.

Do the math. According to Musk, this technology could be worth $250 trillion by 2040.

Put another way, that’s roughly equal to:

  • 175 Teslas
  • 107 Amazons
  • 140 Metas
  • 84 Googles
  • 65 Microsofts
  • And 55 Nvidias

And here’s the wild part — this $250 trillion wave isn’t tied to one company, but to an entire ecosystem of AI innovators set to reshape the global economy.

It’s a leap so massive, it could reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate worldwide.

Even if that $250 trillion figure sounds ambitious, major firms like PwC and McKinsey still see AI unlocking multi-trillion-dollar potential.

How could anything be worth that much?

The answer lies in a breakthrough so powerful it’s redefining how humanity works, learns, and creates.

And this breakthrough has already set off a frenzy among hedge funds and Wall Street’s top investors.

What most investors don’t realize is that one under-owned company holds the key to this $250 trillion revolution.

In fact, Verge argues this company’s supercheap AI technology should concern rivals.

Before I reveal the details, let’s talk about how some of the richest people on the planet are positioning themselves.

  • Bill Gates sees artificial intelligence as the “biggest technological advance in my lifetime,” more transformative than the internet or personal computer, capable of improving healthcare, education, and addressing climate change.
  • Larry Ellison — through Oracle, is spending billions on Nvidia chips and partnering with Cohere to embed generative AI across Oracle’s cloud and apps.
  • Warren Buffett — not known for tech hype — says this breakthrough could have a ‘hugely beneficial social impact.

When billionaires from Silicon Valley to Wall Street line up behind the same idea — you know it’s worth paying attention to.

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AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

AI is eating the world—and the machines behind it are ravenous.

Each ChatGPT query, each model update, each robotic breakthrough consumes massive amounts of energy. In fact, AI is already pushing global power grids to the brink.

Wall Street is pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence—training smarter chatbots, automating industries, and building the digital future. But there’s one urgent question few are asking:

Where will all of that energy come from?

AI is the most electricity-hungry technology ever invented. Each data center powering large language models like ChatGPT consumes as much energy as a small city. And it’s about to get worse.

Even Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, issued a stark warning:

“The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough.”

Elon Musk was even more blunt:

“AI will run out of electricity by next year.”

As the world chases faster, smarter machines, a hidden crisis is emerging behind the scenes. Power grids are strained. Electricity prices are rising. Utilities are scrambling to expand capacity.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies…

One little-known company—almost entirely overlooked by most AI investors—could be the ultimate backdoor play. It’s not a chipmaker. It’s not a cloud platform. But it might be the most important AI stock in the US owns critical energy infrastructure assets positioned to feed the coming AI energy spike.

As demand from AI data centers explodes, this company is gearing up to profit from the most valuable commodity in the digital age: electricity.

The “Toll Booth” Operator of the AI Energy Boom

  • It owns critical nuclear energy infrastructure assets, positioning it at the heart of America’s next-generation power strategy.
  • It’s one of the only global companies capable of executing large-scale, complex EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects across oil, gas, renewable fuels, and industrial infrastructure.
  • It plays a pivotal role in U.S. LNG exportation—a sector about to explode under President Trump’s renewed “America First” energy doctrine.

Trump has made it clear: Europe and U.S. allies must buy American LNG.

And our company sits in the toll booth—collecting fees on every drop exported.

But that’s not all…

As Trump’s proposed tariffs push American manufacturers to bring their operations back home, this company will be first in line to rebuild, retrofit, and reengineer those facilities.

AI. Energy. Tariffs. Onshoring. This One Company Ties It All Together.

While the world is distracted by flashy AI tickers, a few smart investors are quietly scooping up shares of the one company powering it all from behind the scenes.

AI needs energy. Energy needs infrastructure.

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This company has its finger in every pie—and Wall Street is just starting to notice.

Wall Street is noticing this company also because it is quietly riding all of these tailwinds—without the sky-high valuation.

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The Hedge Fund Secret That’s Starting to Leak Out

This stock is so off-the-radar, so absurdly undervalued, that some of the most secretive hedge fund managers in the world have begun pitching it at closed-door investment summits.

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And that’s for a business tied to:

  • The AI infrastructure supercycle
  • The onshoring boom driven by Trump-era tariffs
  • A surge in U.S. LNG exports
  • And a unique footprint in nuclear energy—the future of clean, reliable power

You simply won’t find another AI and energy stock this cheap… with this much upside.

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This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

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By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

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1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99.

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