Despite the global economy exceeding $100 trillion, poverty remains a stark reality for millions of people globally. According to the World Bank, approximately 692 million people worldwide live below the international poverty line at $2.15 a day. Most of the world’s poorest countries are in Africa, with South Sudan, Burundi, Malawi, and Mozambique consistently ranking among the poorest globally. These countries are ranked based on their GDP per capita at current prices, sourced from the IMF.
To better understand poverty in these countries, we also examine the percentage of the population living below the international poverty line and human development indicators.
What is GDP Per Capita?
GDP per capita is widely used as a measure of a country’s economic prosperity and development. It is calculated by dividing the GDP of a country by its total population. GDP per capita shows how much money each individual would have if the country’s total wealth were divided equally among its population.
The data is collected from the following sources:
Poorest Countries in The World
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita (Current Prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Sudan, Republic of | $762.93 |
| 2 | Burundi | $985.65 |
| 3 | Central African Republic | $1,300 |
| 4 | Malawi | $1,710 |
| 5 | Mozambique | $1,730 |
| 6 | Congo, Dem. Rep. of the | $1,840 |
| 7 | Somalia | $1,840 |
| 8 | Liberia | $1,900 |
| 9 | Niger | $1,980 |
| 10 | Madagascar | $1,990 |
GDP per capita, current prices: IMF Economic Outlook
Population below the poverty line: World Bank
Global Hunger Index
Human Development Index (HDI): United Nations
1. South Sudan
South Sudan is a landlocked country located in East Africa that gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The country ranks as the poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of only $762.93. Approximately 67% of its population lives below the international poverty line. More than one in five people in South Sudan suffer from undernourishment, according to the Global Hunger Index.
Additionally, the country ranks 192nd out of 193 countries in the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI), which is the lowest globally. South Sudan’s pervasive poverty is the result of multiple factors, including political instability, corruption, and internal conflicts. All such factors have disrupted its agriculture, infrastructure, and social services, resulting in millions of people trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty.
2. Burundi
Burundi, a small landlocked nation in East Africa, is the world’s second poorest country. The World Bank reports that over half of the population lives below the poverty line of $2.25 per day. It shows that the country’s economy is severely underdeveloped, which limits its ability to provide basic services like food, health, clothing, and shelter to its vast population.
Burundi’s hunger situation is classified as “alarming,” with a staggering 55% of children under the age of five suffering from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. Additionally, the country ranks 187th out of 193 countries in the UN’s Human Development Index, indicating a severe human development crisis related to education, living standards, and healthcare.
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3. Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Africa. The country’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with 70–75% of the working population engaged in subsistence farming. Despite its abundant natural wealth, the country has a GDP per capita of $1,300, making it the third poorest country globally. According to the World Bank, about 66% of the country’s population lives below the international poverty line and struggles to access basic services like education, healthcare, and clean water.
Additionally, the country ranks 125th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index, indicating its severe hunger crisis. Nearly half of its population, around 48%, lacks access to basic needs of life, and 40% of children under five years old have stunted growth. The Central African Republic ranks 191st out of 193 countries on the UN’s Human Development Index, highlighting significant crises in healthcare, education, and living standards.
4. Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country located in Southeastern Africa. With a GDP per capita of $1,710, the country ranks as the 4th poorest in the world. It ranks 88th out of 125 on the Global Hunger Index, indicating significant hunger and food insecurity. Additionally, 35% of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, and 17% of the population lacks access to basic necessities.
Additionally, the country ranks 172nd out of 193 countries in the United Nations’ Human Development Index, which reflects the low level of human development in the domains of health, education, and living standards in the country. According to the World Bank, more than two-thirds of the country’s population lives below the poverty line and is trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty that has been difficult to break.
5. Mozambique
Mozambique, situated in southeastern Africa, has a GDP per capita of $1,650. The nation faces numerous development challenges, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, low human development, and inequality. According to the World Bank, 74.5% of the population lives below the international poverty line.
Mozambique ranks 113th out of 125 on the Global Hunger Index, indicating significant hunger and food insecurity. About 30% of its population is undernourished, and 37% of children under five are stunted. Additionally, the country ranks 183rd out of 193 on the UN’s Human Development Index, reflecting low levels of healthcare, living standards, and education.
6. Congo Democratic Republic
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), located in central Africa, is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its wealth of natural resources, it remains one of the poorest countries globally. Around 79% of its population lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank.
The DRC ranks 122nd out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index, indicating severe hunger and food insecurity. Additionally, it ranks 180th out of 193 countries on the UN Human Development Index, highlighting widespread challenges in healthcare, living standards, and education.
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7. Somalia
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, on the eastern coast of the continent. The country has a low GDP per capita of $1,840 globally. A significant portion of the population in Somalia faces extreme poverty, with limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and clean water. The country also consistently ranks among the lowest on the Human Development Index, which reflects its poor performance in key areas such as education, life expectancy, and per capita income.
8. Liberia
Located in western Africa, Liberia is the 8th poorest country globally. According to the World Bank, nearly 28% of Liberia’s population is struggling to survive below the international poverty line. The country ranks 117th out of 125 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index, which indicates an alarming level of hunger and food insecurity in the country. Despite having abundant water resources, 90% of Liberia’s population lacks access to safe and clean drinking water, as reported by UNICEF.
9. Niger
Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, ranks as the 9th poorest in the world. The country faces numerous development challenges, including political instability, corruption, and limited access to education and healthcare. Approximately 50.6% of its population lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day.
Almost half of the children under the age of five in Niger have stunted growth due to poor food, as reported by the global hunger index. Additionally, the country ranks 161st out of 193 on the UN’s Human Development Index, highlighting significant issues in education, income, and life expectancy.
10. Madagascar
Situated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southern Africa, Madagascar is the 9th poorest country globally. Over 80% of its population lives below the World Bank’s international poverty line. In the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Madagascar ranks 124th out of 125 countries, indicating an alarming level of food insecurity and hunger. According to the World Bank, 54.4% of its population has access to basic water facilities, and only 12.3% have access to basic sanitation.
Additionally, Madagascar ranks 177th out of 193 countries in the United Nations’ Human Development Index, reflecting low human development in health, education, and living standards. Its economy relies heavily on agriculture, with major exports like vanilla, coffee, and cocoa. The majority of Malagasy people face a vicious cycle of poverty, struggling to meet their basic needs such as food, clean water, and housing.
Conclusion
Nine of the ten poorest countries in the world are in Africa. It shows the significant development challenges and economic struggles that many African nations continue to face. Poverty in Africa is perpetuated by multiple factors, such as political instability, corruption, weak governance, the legacy of colonialism, and limited access to education.
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