Top 10 Poorest Countries in The World 2026

Poverty impacts billions of people across the globe. According to the World Bank, nearly 847 million people are currently living in extreme poverty. This represents about one in ten people who exist globally. Extreme poverty rates have been measured by the World Bank using its international poverty line, which was revised from $2.15 to $3.00 per person per day in June 2025.

The picture is not the same everywhere. Most regions of the world have made real progress in reducing poverty over the past few decades. But some regions stand out as exceptions, and many of the poorest countries in the world are concentrated there. Sub-Saharan Africa has an extreme poverty rate of around 46%, which means nearly half of its population lives on under $3 a day. Nine of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa. The tenth is Yemen, which sits in the Middle East. The Middle East and North Africa region has actually seen its poverty rate rise in recent years.

These are the parts of the world where poverty has proved most resistant to change, and where the combination of conflict, weak governments, climate shocks, and a history of exploitation has made progress extremely difficult.

How Poverty Is Measured

There is no single number that fully captures poverty. Economists and international organisations use several different tools, and each one tells a different part of the story.

1. GDP per Capita (IMF)

The main ranking in this article is based on GDP per capita, published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). GDP means Gross Domestic Product, or the total value of products produced within a certain time period by a country. When dividing GDP by the population of that particular country, we obtain GDP per capita.

This figure doesn’t correspond to personal income at all, but is widely used as an economic measurement indicator of a country’s average standard of living and level of economic development.

Human Development Index (UNDP)

The Human Development Index (HDI) is another important economic measure used to assess poverty and overall quality of life, published by the United Nations Development Programme. It looks at three things: life expectancy, education, and income per person. These three factors are combined into a single score between 0 and 1. A score below 0.550 means a country falls into the low human development category.

Poverty Rate at $3.00 a Day

The World Bank tracks what percentage of a country’s population lives on less than $3.00 per person per day. This amount is adjusted for local prices so that comparisons between countries are fair. This $3.00 threshold became the new international poverty line in June 2025, replacing the older $2.15 standard.

In this article, GDP per capita is the main measure used to rank the poorest countries in the world. The HDI and the poverty rate are included alongside it to give a more complete picture of what poverty looks like on the ground.

Poorest Countries in The World by GDP Per Capita

The following 10 nations are the poorest countries in the world, based on their GDP per capita.

Rank	Country	GDP per Capita (IMF)	HDI Score (UNDP)	Poverty Rate at $3/day
1	🇧🇮 Burundi	$1,030	0.439	74%
2	🇨🇫 Central African Republic	$1,470	0.414	71%
3	🇸🇸 South Sudan	$1,540	0.388	76%
4	🇾🇪 Yemen	$1,600	0.47	33%
5	🇲🇿 Mozambique	$1,700	0.493	81%
6	🇲🇼 Malawi	$1,800	0.517	75%
7	🇸🇴 Somalia	$1,960	0.404	N/A
8	🇱🇷 Liberia	$2,100	0.51	33%
9	🇲🇬 Madagascar	$2,110	0.487	69%
10	🇨🇩 Dem. Rep. of Congo	$2,140	0.522	85%

The data is collected from the following sources:
GDP per capita, current prices: International Monetary Fund
Human Development Index (HDI): United Nations
Poverty Line ($2.15 per day, 2017 PPP): World Bank

1. Burundi — GDP per Capita: $1,030

Burundi ranks as the poorest country in the world by GDP per capita. It is a small landlocked country in East Africa, and its economy is one of the least developed globally. About 74% of its population lives on under $3 a day. That means roughly three out of every four people cannot meet their most basic needs.

The country’s HDI score is 0.439, placing it 187th out of 193 countries on the UN index. The health care system in Burundi is poor, and many of the inhabitants earn their living through subsistence agriculture.

Decades of ethnic conflict and civil war have left the country deeply unstable and poor. Governments have come and gone without delivering lasting improvements. There is very little foreign investment, no significant industry, and no major export revenue. The population keeps growing, but the economy has not grown with it. As a result, Burundi has remained at the very bottom of global poverty rankings for years.

2. Central African Republic — GDP per Capita: $1,470

The Central African Republic, often called CAR, sits in the middle of the African continent. Despite being rich in diamonds, gold, uranium, and timber, about 71% of its people live on less than $3 a day. It is one of the clearest examples in the world of a country that has natural wealth but almost no ability to use it to improve people’s lives.

CAR’s HDI score of 0.414 places it 191st out of 193 countries. That means only two countries in the world rank lower on human development. Most of the population has little to no access to healthcare, and educational attendance remains very low.

Armed groups have controlled large parts of the country for years, making normal economic activity nearly impossible. Aid organisations struggle to reach communities in need. Until there is lasting peace and functioning governance, the country’s natural resources will continue to benefit only a small elite, while the vast majority live in poverty.

3. South Sudan — GDP per Capita: $1,540

South Sudan became the world’s youngest country in 2011 when it separated from Sudan. Within just a few years, it fell into civil war, and the consequences have been devastating. About 76% of its population lives on under $3 a day — one of the highest poverty rates among the countries in this list.

Its HDI score of 0.388 is the second-lowest in the world, placing it 192nd out of 193 countries. The country has virtually no functioning public services in most areas. Schools, hospitals, and roads were destroyed during the years of conflict and have not been rebuilt. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes.

South Sudan has large oil reserves, and oil accounts for the majority of government revenue. But the benefits of this wealth have not reached ordinary people. Corruption, mismanagement, and ongoing conflict have consumed what could have been invested in the country’s future.

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4. Yemen — GDP per Capita: $1,600

Yemen is the only country outside Africa among the poorest countries in the world. It sits at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, and since 2015, it has been torn apart by a civil war that shows no sign of ending. About 33% of Yemen’s population lives on less than $3 a day.

Yemen’s HDI score is 0.470, ranking it 186th out of 193 countries. The country once had functioning hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. Most of that has been badly damaged or destroyed by the conflict. Food insecurity is widespread, and the country faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Yemen has oil and gas reserves and fertile agricultural land in parts of the country. But the war has made it impossible to develop either. Water scarcity is also a serious long-term threat. The Middle East and North Africa region is the only part of the world where the World Bank says poverty is currently getting worse rather than better.

5. Mozambique — GDP per Capita: $1,700

Mozambique is on the southeastern coast of Africa. It has large offshore natural gas reserves and significant mineral deposits. But 81% of its people live on less than $3 a day, making it one of the highest poverty rates in the world by this measure. The gap between the country’s resource wealth and the poverty of its population is very wide.

Its HDI score of 0.493 places it 183rd out of 193 countries. Life expectancy is low, educational access is limited, and rural areas are severely underserved. The majority of people rely on small-scale farming, which provides very little income and is highly vulnerable to the weather.

Climate change has hit Mozambique particularly hard. The country has been struck by several major cyclones in recent years, each one destroying homes, crops, and infrastructure. Additionally, corruption has limited how much of the gas revenue reaches public services. The combination of these pressures makes poverty very hard to escape.

6. Malawi — GDP per Capita: $1,800

Malawi is a small, landlocked country in southeastern Africa. About 75% of its population lives on less than $3 a day. It has very limited natural resources compared to some of its neighbours, and its economy relies almost entirely on agriculture, particularly tobacco, which it exports.

Malawi’s HDI score is 0.517, which places it 172nd out of 193 countries. It has made some improvements in health and education outcomes over the decades. However, poverty continues to be widespread in the country, especially in the rural parts.

The majority of Malawian farmers work on small plots of land without modern tools or reliable access to fertiliser. When rains fail or floods hit, entire harvests are lost. The country has very little industry to absorb workers from farming, which means there are few alternative sources of income.

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7. Somalia — GDP per Capita: $1,960

Somalia has been in a state of near-constant instability since its central government collapsed in 1991. For much of the following three decades, there was no functioning national authority at all. The country has slowly begun to rebuild, but it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Reliable poverty data is hard to gather, but the UN estimates that Somalia’s HDI is just 0.404 — one of the lowest in the world.

According to the World Bank, nearly 90% of Somali households face serious deprivation in at least one area, such as income, access to electricity, education, clean water, or sanitation. Only about half of households have access to improved sanitation.

Somalia’s economy runs largely on livestock, remittances, and informal trade. These provide some income for people but do not create the kind of sustained growth that reduces poverty at scale.

8. Liberia — GDP per Capita: $2,100

Liberia is on the west coast of Africa. It has fertile land, significant timber, and exports rubber, coffee, and cocoa. But about 33% of its population lives below the $3 a day threshold, and the country remains one of the poorest in the world. Liberia fought two brutal civil wars between 1989 and 2003, and the damage from those conflicts has taken generations to begin reversing.

One of the most important issues about Liberia is its water crisis. Despite having abundant rivers and rainfall, around 90% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water, according to UNICEF.

Since the end of its civil wars, Liberia has made some political progress. Elections have been held, and power has changed hands peacefully. But economic progress has been much slower.

9. Madagascar — GDP per Capita: $2,110

Madagascar is an island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is famous for its unique wildlife and natural beauty. But the reality for most of its people is very harsh. About 69% of the population lives on under $3 a day, and the World Bank estimates that roughly 80% live below the broader international poverty line. Its HDI score of 0.487 places it 177th out of 193 countries.

Most people in Madagascar depend on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. They grow food for their own consumption and sell small surpluses when they can. This kind of farming leaves people very exposed when the weather turns bad — and Madagascar is regularly hit by cyclones, droughts, and flooding. In the south of the country, there have been periods of severe food insecurity described by the UN as close to famine conditions.

Madagascar has significant natural resources, including minerals, gemstones, and rich fishing waters. But poor governance, limited infrastructure, and a lack of investment have meant that these assets have not been turned into broad economic development.

10. Democratic Republic of the Congo — GDP per Capita: $2,140

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and one of the most resource-rich places on earth. It holds massive reserves of cobalt, coltan, gold, diamonds, and copper. Yet 85% of its population lives on under $3 a day — the highest rate of any country on this list. Its HDI score of 0.522 places it 180th out of 193 countries.

At independence in 1960, the DRC was one of the most industrialised countries in Africa. Decades of authoritarian rule, looting, corruption, and armed conflict have reversed almost all of that. Infrastructure across much of the country has collapsed.

The minerals mined in the DRC power smartphones, electric vehicles, and computers around the world. But the communities where those minerals come from receive very little in return. Most of the profit flows to foreign companies and corrupt officials.

Main Reasons for Poverty in These Countries

Looking at all ten countries together, a few common causes of poverty stand out clearly. These are not unique to one country — they appear again and again, and they interact with each other in ways that make poverty very hard to break out of.

The most visible cause is conflict and political instability. Almost every country on this list has experienced war, civil conflict, or prolonged political breakdown. War destroys hospitals, schools, roads, and businesses. It forces people to flee their homes, disrupts farming, and scares away investment.

A second major cause is a narrow and fragile economy. Most of these countries depend on subsistence farming, a single export crop, or a natural resource like oil or minerals. This leaves them very exposed. If rains fail, if commodity prices fall, or if a conflict breaks out near a mine or oil field, the entire economy can collapse. There is very little industry, very few formal jobs, and limited trade with other countries.

Finally, weak institutions and corruption play a major role. In many of these countries, public money is stolen rather than spent on schools and hospitals. Governments cannot or do not deliver basic services. Courts do not protect people’s rights. This makes it very hard to attract investment, build a skilled workforce, or give people any confidence in the future.

World’s Poorest Countries 2026

Rank	Country/Economy	GDP Per Capita
1	Burundi	$1,030
2	Central African Republic	$1,470
3	South Sudan	$1,540
4	Yemen	$1,600
5	Mozambique	$1,700
6	Malawi	$1,800
7	Somalia	$1,960
8	Liberia	$2,100
9	Madagascar	$2,110
10	Congo, Dem. Rep. of the	$2,140
11	Niger	$2,230
12	Sudan	$2,450
13	Solomon Islands	$2,690
14	Haiti	$2,990
15	Burkina Faso	$3,230
16	Lesotho	$3,300
17	Chad	$3,460
18	Guinea-Bissau	$3,490
19	Mali	$3,660
20	Togo	$3,760
21	Gambia, The	$3,860
22	Sierra Leone	$3,910
23	Kiribati	$3,920
24	Papua New Guinea	$3,990
25	Vanuatu	$4,100
26	Uganda	$4,190
27	Comoros	$4,220
28	Rwanda	$4,520
29	Zambia	$4,570
30	Tanzania	$4,610
31	Ethiopia	$4,970
32	Micronesia, Fed. States of	$5,050
33	Benin	$5,090
34	Guinea	$5,180
35	Timor-Leste	$5,270
36	Myanmar	$5,320
37	Senegal	$5,570
38	Cameroon	$5,990
39	Tuvalu	$6,450
40	Nepal	$6,550
41	Tajikistan	$6,620
42	São Tomé and Príncipe	$6,710
43	Congo, Republic of	$6,710
44	Pakistan	$7,330
45	Kenya	$8,020
46	Honduras	$8,220
47	Zimbabwe	$8,440
48	Tonga	$8,490
49	Marshall Islands	$8,500
50	Côte d’Ivoire	$8,670
51	Cambodia	$8,890
52	Samoa	$8,890
53	Ghana	$9,120
54	Mauritania	$9,280
55	Venezuela	$9,460
56	Nigeria	$9,990
57	Kyrgyz Republic	$10,020
58	Djibouti	$10,170
59	Nicaragua	$10,210
60	Angola	$10,450
61	Bangladesh	$10,950
62	Lao P.D.R.	$10,960
63	Nauru	$12,320
64	Morocco	$12,340
65	Namibia	$12,670
66	Bolivia	$12,690
67	India	$12,800
68	Jordan	$13,260
69	Cabo Verde	$13,310
70	Philippines	$13,640
71	Jamaica	$13,900
72	Uzbekistan	$14,180
73	Eswatini	$14,240
74	Iraq	$14,380
75	El Salvador	$14,840
76	Belize	$15,690
77	Tunisia	$15,830
78	Guatemala	$16,020
79	South Africa	$16,740
80	Fiji	$17,210
81	Ecuador	$17,720
82	Libya	$18,750
83	Indonesia	$18,970
84	Equatorial Guinea	$19,060
85	Vietnam	$19,650
86	Algeria	$19,680
87	Peru	$20,120
88	Bhutan	$20,130
89	Iran	$20,280
90	Dominica	$20,600
91	Palau	$20,640
92	Moldova	$21,170
93	Kosovo	$21,800
94	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	$21,990
95	Botswana	$22,040
96	Mongolia	$22,190
97	Ukraine	$22,440
98	Grenada	$22,730
99	Suriname	$22,990
100	Egypt	$23,320
101	Paraguay	$23,350
102	Colombia	$23,580
103	Bosnia and Herzegovina	$24,120
104	Turkmenistan	$24,350
105	Brazil	$24,430
106	Albania	$25,250
107	Gabon	$25,850
108	Barbados	$26,410
109	Mexico	$26,640
110	Azerbaijan	$26,800
111	Armenia	$27,020
112	Thailand	$27,440
113	Saint Lucia	$30,400
114	China	$31,600
115	North Macedonia	$31,750
116	Dominican Republic	$32,180
117	Antigua and Barbuda	$32,920
118	Argentina	$33,190
119	Georgia	$33,990
120	Costa Rica	$34,160
121	Serbia	$34,860
122	Saint Kitts and Nevis	$35,120
123	Belarus	$35,620
124	Mauritius	$35,710
125	Seychelles	$35,850
126	Montenegro	$36,330
127	Trinidad and Tobago	$37,100
128	Chile	$37,340
129	Maldives	$37,830
130	Uruguay	$39,030
131	Bahamas, The	$44,110
132	Bulgaria	$45,640
133	Oman	$45,700
134	Latvia	$45,840
135	Panama	$46,400
136	Türkiye	$46,670
137	Malaysia	$46,990
138	Greece	$47,170
139	Kazakhstan	$48,250
140	Slovak Republic	$49,470
141	Hungary	$50,570
142	Romania	$50,780
143	Estonia	$51,650
144	Russian Federation	$52,480
145	Portugal	$52,840
146	Puerto Rico	$53,150
147	Kuwait	$54,300
148	Croatia	$54,360
149	New Zealand	$58,310
150	Aruba	$58,480
151	Israel	$59,090
152	Spain	$59,190
153	Japan	$59,210
154	Poland	$59,790
155	Slovenia	$60,660
156	Lithuania	$61,050
157	Czech Republic	$63,550
158	Italy	$65,760
159	United Kingdom	$67,590
160	Cyprus	$67,800
161	France	$68,570
162	Korea, Republic of	$68,620
163	Finland	$68,860
164	Canada	$70,010
165	Bahrain	$70,160
166	Australia	$74,750
167	Andorra	$75,990
168	Germany	$76,750
169	Sweden	$77,090
170	Austria	$78,330
171	Belgium	$78,610
172	Saudi Arabia	$78,810
173	Malta	$82,420
174	Iceland	$82,730
175	Hong Kong SAR	$84,210
176	San Marino	$87,140
177	Netherlands	$87,770
178	United Arab Emirates	$87,770
179	Denmark	$89,670
180	United States	$94,430
181	Guyana	$95,480
182	Brunei Darussalam	$97,860
183	Taiwan	$98,050
184	Switzerland	$105,680
185	Qatar	$112,310
186	Norway	$115,550
187	Macao SAR	$140,420
188	Luxembourg	$156,720
189	Ireland	$159,130
190	Singapore	$173,710
191	Liechtenstein	$195,370

Conclusion

The ten poorest countries in the world, based on the IMF’s GDP per capita rankings, share more than just a number. They share a history of being pulled in the wrong direction by forces largely outside the control of ordinary people — conflict, colonial exploitation, climate shocks, and corruption.

Poverty at this scale is not an accident, and it is not inevitable. Rwanda and Ethiopia, once near the bottom of similar rankings, have made real and measurable progress over the past two decades through improved governance, investment in public services, and a more stable security environment. The potential for change exists in every country on this list — what is needed are the conditions that make change possible.