The majority of nations with low Human Development Index (HDI) rankings are located on the African continent. Countries such as Somalia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic consistently rank among those with the lowest HDI scores. Political instability, conflicts, environmental issues, and widespread poverty are some of the major factors that contribute to their low performance on HDI. As a result, the majority of the population in these countries lack access to basic needs of life like clean water, healthcare, and education.
What is the Human Development Index?
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a metric developed by the United Nations to assess the overall development of a country. It is based on three key areas such as life expectancy, education, and income per person. The index ranges from 0 to 1, with values closer to 1 indicating higher development and values near 0 indicating lower development in these areas.
Countries with the Lowest Human Development Index
The table below presents the countries with the lowest Human Development Index (HDI). The data is taken from the United Nations Development Programme.
| Rank | Country | HDI Value | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somalia | 0.380 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 2 | South Sudan | 0.381 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 3 | Central African Republic | 0.387 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 4 | Chad | 0.394 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 4 | Niger | 0.394 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 6 | Mali | 0.410 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 7 | Burundi | 0.420 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 8 | Yemen | 0.424 | Middle East |
| 9 | Burkina Faso | 0.438 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 10 | Sierra Leone | 0.458 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
The data is sourced from the United Nations Development Programme.
1. Somalia
HDI Value: 0.380
Somalia ranks the lowest on the Human Development Index, occupying the 193rd position out of 193 countries. The nation is plagued by prolonged conflict, political instability, and rampant poverty. The majority of the country’s population is living below the international poverty line and lacks access to basic needs of life. Frequent natural disasters and poor agricultural practices have intensified food insecurity in Somalia. Additionally, the widespread corruption in the country also hinders economic growth in Somalia.
2. South Sudan
HDI Value: 0.381
South Sudan has one of the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) scores in the world. The country became an independent country in 2011 after decades of conflict with Sudan. The long struggle for independence caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives, and displacement of people. The majority of the population lives in poverty, with limited access to job opportunities. Education systems are underdeveloped, with high dropout rates, especially among girls.
Despite its rich natural resources, the country faces several challenges, such as poor infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and education, and widespread food insecurity.
How Global Poverty Has Changed Over the Last 15 Years (2010-2024)
3. Central African Republic (CAR)
HDI Value: 0.387
The Central African Republic (CAR) has faced political instability and violence for much of its history since gaining independence from France in 1960. Frequent armed conflicts and instability have devastated the country, which disrupted the infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Political instability, ongoing conflicts, and economic challenges have kept the country in a state of crisis. As a result, the country ranks lowest on the Human Development Index, and many people lack access to basic needs such as food, shelter, and income-generating opportunities.
4. Niger
HDI Value: 0.394
Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, gained independence from France in 1960. Since independence the country has experienced several coups and periods of political unrest, which have disrupted development efforts in Niger. The country faces numerous challenges, including extreme poverty, limited education, and a high birth rate. It also suffers from one of the world’s highest infant mortality rates due to an inadequate healthcare system.
According to the World Bank, about 50% of Niger’s population lives below the poverty line. High unemployment rates and low income levels make it difficult for many people to improve their living conditions in Niger.
4. Chad
HDI Value: 0.394
Chad ranks at the bottom of the Human Development Index (HDI) with a score of 0.394. The country has faced civil wars, rebellions, and tensions between various ethnic and religious groups. This instability has weakened the government and disrupted essential services like healthcare and education.
The country faces widespread poverty, limited access to education, and poor healthcare services. Many children, especially girls, do not have access to quality education. As a result, the country has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.
Top 10 Poorest Countries in the World in 2025
6. Mali
HDI Value: 0.410
Mali has experienced multiple coups and ongoing armed conflict, particularly in the northern regions. These conflicts have led to widespread displacement. Many communities lack access to clean water and healthcare services in the country. The majority of people in Mali rely on agriculture, which is vulnerable to climate change. As a result, a large portion of Mali’s population lives in poverty, with limited access to healthcare, food, and electricity.
7. Burundi
HDI Value: 0.420
Burundi’s long history of ethnic conflict and political instability has severely impacted its development. Therefore, the country has one of the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) scores in the world. About 62% of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. The country has poor health outcomes, low educational attainment, and a low living standard. Despite some progress in education and health, the overall development in the country remains low.
8. Yemen
HDI Value: 0.424
Yemen has been devastated by a prolonged civil war, which started in 2014 and is still ongoing. The war has destroyed infrastructure, disrupted education, and left millions without adequate healthcare. The conflict has also resulted in a significant loss of life and the displacement of millions of people. These factors have resulted in Yemen’s lowest level of human development in the world. The country is plagued by widespread hunger, inadequate healthcare, and the spread of diseases such as cholera.
9. Burkina Faso
HDI Value: 0.438
Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960. Since then, the country has experienced political instability, with several coups and periods of authoritarian rule. Over 25% of Burkina Faso’s people live below the international poverty line on less than $2.15 a day. The country faces extreme poverty, food shortages, and limited access to education.
The ongoing political instability and armed conflicts have displaced a large number of people, making it harder for many families to get basic services. Additionally, frequent droughts and bad weather conditions continue to adversely affect the country’s agricultural productivity. These factors have collectively resulted in the country’s low performance on the Human Development Index (HDI).
10. Sierra Leone
HDI Value: 0.458
Sierra Leone’s civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2002 severely disrupted development of the country and caused widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life. The country has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, making it difficult for people to improve their living conditions.
Sierra Leone faces significant challenges, including political instability, youth unemployment, and a high poverty rate. Additionally, the country is still recovering from the devastating impact of the Ebola outbreak, which began in December 2013 and lasted until 2016. Despite some improvements in life expectancy and education, the majority of people continue to face widespread poverty, poor healthcare, and limited access to education.
The Next 15 Nations With Lowest Human Development Index
In addition to the top 10 countries, the table below also highlights the next 15 countries with the lowest Human Development Index (HDI).
| Rank | Country | HDI Value | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mozambique | 0.461 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 12 | Afghanistan | 0.462 | South Asia |
| 13 | Guinea | 0.471 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 14 | Congo (Democratic Republic of the) | 0.481 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 15 | Guinea-Bissau | 0.483 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 16 | Liberia | 0.487 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 16 | Madagascar | 0.487 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 18 | Ethiopia | 0.492 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 19 | Eritrea | 0.493 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 20 | Gambia | 0.495 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 21 | Benin | 0.504 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 22 | Malawi | 0.508 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 23 | Djibouti | 0.515 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 24 | Sudan | 0.516 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 25 | Senegal | 0.517 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Internal conflicts, poor leadership, and climate issues are some of the major factors that contribute to the poverty and lowest HDI rankings in these countries.
Add Comment