Introduction
The poorest countries in the world are those with the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. GDP is an economic indicator that measures the value of goods and services produced by a country over a given period. Thus, the poorer the country, the lower its GDP. Unfortunately, poverty remains a global challenge with about 8% of the world’s population living in extreme poverty meaning that people are earning less than $2.15 per day.
In the world, the poorest countries are mostly located in Africa and Asia, with Burundi being the poorest country followed by Somalia, Mozambique, Central African Republic, and Madagascar. These countries are located in Sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty is widespread due to factors such as political instability, corruption, lack of infrastructure, and poor access to education and healthcare. In Asia, the poorest countries are Yemen, Tajikistan, and Myanmar, where poverty is also prevalent due to political conflicts and economic instability.
# | Country | GDP per capita |
---|---|---|
1 | Burundi | $237 |
2 | Somalia | $446 |
3 | Mozambique | $500 |
4 | Central African Republic | $511 |
5 | Madagascar | $515 |
6 | Sierra Leone | $516 |
7 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | $584 |
8 | Niger | $595 |
9 | Malawi | $643 |
10 | Liberia | $673 |
11 | Yemen | $691 |
12 | Chad | $696 |
13 | Sudan | $764 |
14 | Guinea-Bissau | $813 |
15 | Rwanda | $834 |
16 | The Gambia | $836 |
17 | Uganda | $858 |
18 | Tajikistan | $897 |
19 | Burkina Faso | $918 |
20 | Mali | $918 |
21 | Ethiopia | $944 |
22 | Togo | $992 |
23 | Zambia | $1,121 |
24 | Tanzania | $1,136 |
25 | Lesotho | $1,166 |
26 | Guinea | $1,174 |
27 | Myanmar | $1,187 |
28 | Nepal | $1,223 |
29 | Kyrgyzstan | $1,276 |
30 | Benin | $1,428 |
31 | East Timor | $1,458 |
32 | Comoros | $1,495 |
33 | Pakistan | $1,538 |
34 | Cambodia | $1,591 |
35 | Senegal | $1,606 |
36 | Cameroon | $1,662 |
37 | Mauritania | $1,723 |
38 | Zimbabwe | $1,737 |
39 | Haiti | $1,815 |
40 | Uzbekistan | $1,983 |
41 | Kenya | $2,007 |
42 | Nigeria | $2,085 |
43 | Nicaragua | $2,091 |
44 | Angola | $2,138 |
45 | Republic of the Congo | $2,214 |
46 | India | $2,277 |
47 | Solomon Islands | $2,337 |
48 | Ghana | $2,445 |
49 | São Tomé and Príncipe | $2,449 |
50 | Bangladesh | $2,503 |
51 | Laos | $2,551 |
52 | Ivory Coast | $2,579 |
53 | Lebanon | $2,670 |
54 | Honduras | $2,831 |
55 | Papua New Guinea | $2,916 |
56 | Vanuatu | $3,127 |
57 | Djibouti | $3,364 |
58 | Bolivia | $3,415 |
59 | Federated States of Micronesia | $3,477 |
60 | Morocco | $3,497 |
61 | Philippines | $3,549 |
62 | Palestine | $3,664 |
63 | Vietnam | $3,694 |
64 | Algeria | $3,765 |
65 | Sri Lanka | $3,815 |
66 | Egypt | $3,876 |
67 | Tunisia | $3,924 |
68 | Marshall Islands | $4,171 |
69 | Eswatini | $4,215 |
70 | Indonesia | $4,292 |
71 | Jordan | $4,406 |
72 | El Salvador | $4,409 |
73 | Belize | $4,420 |
74 | Mongolia | $4,535 |
75 | Jamaica | $4,587 |
76 | Armenia | $4,670 |
77 | Namibia | $4,729 |
78 | Suriname | $4,836 |
79 | Ukraine | $4,836 |
80 | Guatemala | $5,026 |
81 | Georgia | $5,042 |
82 | Iraq | $5,048 |
83 | Fiji | $5,086 |
84 | Moldova | $5,315 |
85 | Azerbaijan | $5,384 |
86 | Paraguay | $5,400 |
87 | Ecuador | $5,935 |
88 | Libya | $6,018 |
89 | Colombia | $6,131 |
90 | Albania | $6,494 |
91 | Peru | $6,692 |
92 | Republic of Macedonia | $6,721 |
93 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | $6,916 |
94 | South Africa | $6,994 |
95 | Thailand | $7,233 |
96 | Belarus | $7,304 |
97 | Botswana | $7,348 |
98 | Brazil | $7,519 |
99 | Dominica | $7,560 |
100 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $7,997 |
101 | Gabon | $8,017 |
102 | Equatorial Guinea | $8,462 |
103 | Dominican Republic | $8,604 |
104 | Mauritius | $8,812 |
105 | Maldives | $8,995 |
106 | Serbia | $9,215 |
107 | Montenegro | $9,367 |
108 | Guyana | $9,375 |
109 | Saint Lucia | $9,571 |
110 | Turkey | $9,587 |
111 | Mexico | $9,926 |
112 | Grenada | $9,929 |
113 | Kazakhstan | $10,041 |
114 | Argentina | $10,729 |
115 | Malaysia | $11,371 |
116 | Bulgaria | $11,635 |
117 | Russia | $12,173 |
118 | Nauru | $12,252 |
119 | Costa Rica | $12,509 |
120 | People's Republic of China | $12,556 |
121 | Seychelles | $13,307 |
122 | Panama | $14,516 |
123 | Romania | $14,862 |
124 | Antigua and Barbuda | $14,901 |
125 | Trinidad and Tobago | $15,243 |
126 | Oman | $16,439 |
127 | Chile | $16,503 |
128 | Uruguay | $17,021 |
129 | Barbados | $17,034 |
130 | Croatia | $17,399 |
131 | Poland | $17,841 |
132 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | $18,230 |
133 | Hungary | $18,773 |
134 | Greece | $20,277 |
135 | Latvia | $20,642 |
136 | Slovakia | $21,088 |
137 | Bahrain | $22,232 |
138 | Lithuania | $23,433 |
139 | Saudi Arabia | $23,586 |
140 | Turks and Caicos Islands | $24,047 |
141 | Portugal | $24,262 |
142 | Czech Republic | $26,378 |
143 | Estonia | $27,281 |
144 | The Bahamas | $28,239 |
145 | Slovenia | $29,201 |
146 | Spain | $30,116 |
147 | Cyprus | $30,798 |
148 | Brunei | $31,723 |
149 | Malta | $33,257 |
150 | South Korea | $34,758 |
151 | Italy | $35,551 |
152 | Japan | $39,285 |
153 | Andorra | $43,048 |
154 | France | $43,519 |
155 | Macau | $45,422 |
156 | United Kingdom | $47,334 |
157 | New Zealand | $48,802 |
158 | Hong Kong | $49,661 |
159 | Germany | $50,802 |
160 | Israel | $51,430 |
161 | Belgium | $51,768 |
162 | Canada | $52,051 |
163 | Austria | $53,268 |
164 | Finland | $53,983 |
165 | Netherlands | $58,061 |
166 | Australia | $59,934 |
167 | Sweden | $60,239 |
168 | Qatar | $61,276 |
169 | Denmark | $67,803 |
170 | Iceland | $68,384 |
171 | United States of America | $69,288 |
172 | Singapore | $72,794 |
173 | Norway | $89,203 |
174 | Switzerland | $93,457 |
175 | Ireland | $99,152 |
176 | Bermuda | $110,869 |
177 | Luxembourg | $135,683 |
Poorest Countries
The ten poorest countries in the world are Burundi, Somalia, Mozambique, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Malawi, and Liberia, in that order. Burundi has the lowest GDP per capita of $237, making it the poorest country in the world. Somalia is the second poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $446, followed by Mozambique as the third poorest country, with a GDP per capita of $500, and the Central African Republic as the fourth poorest country, with a GDP per capita of $511. Madagascar, with a GDP per capita of $515, is the fifth poorest country in the world, while Sierra Leone, with a GDP per capita of $516, is the sixth poorest country in the world. The seventh and eighth poorest countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a GDP per capita of $584, and Niger with a GDP per capita of $595. Finally, Malawi and Liberia are the ninth and tenth poorest countries in the world, with GDPs per capita of $643 and $673 respectively.
The ten poorest countries in the world are :
1. Burundi – $237
2. Somalia – $446
3. Mozambique – $500
4. Central African Republic – $511
5. Madagascar – $515
6. Sierra Leone – US$516
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo – $584
8. Niger – $595
9. Malawi – $643
10. Liberia – $673
Poorest Country in the World
Burundi is the poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $237. It is a landlocked country situated in East Africa that has limited natural resources and is often affected by natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and landslides. As a result, the country’s economy is not very diversified, relying mainly on agriculture which accounts for approximately 90% of the country’s employment, and is likely to be affected by these natural disasters. Burundi has also been experiencing political instability, ethnic conflicts, and social unrest which have contributed significantly to its poverty.
Source
The data used on this page comes from the global organization the World Bank. The GDP per capita is gathered through various sources such as national statistical offices, central banks, and other international organizations and is calculated by dividing the total GDP of a country by its population. The data is presented in US dollars (USD).
GDP per capita by Country
Albania
$6,494
Ranked in the World
#90
Algeria
$3,765
Ranked in the World
#64
Andorra
$43,048
Ranked in the World
#153
Angola
$2,138
Ranked in the World
#44
Antigua and Barbuda
$14,901
Ranked in the World
#124
Argentina
$10,729
Ranked in the World
#114
Armenia
$4,670
Ranked in the World
#76
Australia
$59,934
Ranked in the World
#166
Austria
$53,268
Ranked in the World
#163
Azerbaijan
$5,384
Ranked in the World
#85
Bahrain
$22,232
Ranked in the World
#137
Bangladesh
$2,503
Ranked in the World
#50
Barbados
$17,034
Ranked in the World
#129
Belarus
$7,304
Ranked in the World
#96
Belgium
$51,768
Ranked in the World
#161
Belize
$4,420
Ranked in the World
#73
Benin
$1,428
Ranked in the World
#30
Bermuda
$110,869
Ranked in the World
#176
Bolivia
$3,415
Ranked in the World
#58
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$6,916
Ranked in the World
#93
Botswana
$7,348
Ranked in the World
#97
Brazil
$7,519
Ranked in the World
#98
Brunei
$31,723
Ranked in the World
#148
Bulgaria
$11,635
Ranked in the World
#116
Burkina Faso
$918
Ranked in the World
#19
Burundi
$237
Ranked in the World
#1
Burundi is the poorest country in the world with a GDP per capita of $237. Located in East Africa, Burundi has been affected by political instability, civil unrest, and poverty for many years. In addition, the country relies heavily on subsistence agriculture, which has been impacted by climate change and soil degradation. Burundi is also one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, exacerbating food and water scarcity. These factors, combined with limited access to education and healthcare, contribute to the country's extreme poverty.
Cambodia
$1,591
Ranked in the World
#34
Cameroon
$1,662
Ranked in the World
#36
Canada
$52,051
Ranked in the World
#162
Central African Republic
$511
Ranked in the World
#4
The Central African Republic is the fourth poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $511. The country has been beset by political instability, violence, and poverty for many years. For instance, the Central African Republic has suffered from several coups and ongoing conflict between different armed groups. The country's economy is also primarily agricultural, and subsistence farming is the main livelihood for most of the population. However, recurrent droughts and floods have damaged crops, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition.
Chad
$696
Ranked in the World
#12
Chile
$16,503
Ranked in the World
#127
Colombia
$6,131
Ranked in the World
#89
Comoros
$1,495
Ranked in the World
#32
Costa Rica
$12,509
Ranked in the World
#119
Croatia
$17,399
Ranked in the World
#130
Cyprus
$30,798
Ranked in the World
#147
Czech Republic
$26,378
Ranked in the World
#142
Democratic Republic of the Congo
$584
Ranked in the World
#7
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the seventh poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $584. The country has been affected by conflict, political instability, and poverty for many years. The DRC is rich in natural resources, including minerals, timber, and hydroelectric power. However, these resources have been a source of conflict and corruption, which have hindered economic development. The country also faces significant challenges in healthcare and education, leading to high levels of infant mortality and illiteracy rates.
Denmark
$67,803
Ranked in the World
#169
Djibouti
$3,364
Ranked in the World
#57
Dominica
$7,560
Ranked in the World
#99
Dominican Republic
$8,604
Ranked in the World
#103
East Timor
$1,458
Ranked in the World
#31
Ecuador
$5,935
Ranked in the World
#87
Egypt
$3,876
Ranked in the World
#66
El Salvador
$4,409
Ranked in the World
#72
Equatorial Guinea
$8,462
Ranked in the World
#102
Estonia
$27,281
Ranked in the World
#143
Eswatini
$4,215
Ranked in the World
#69
Ethiopia
$944
Ranked in the World
#21
Federated States of Micronesia
$3,477
Ranked in the World
#59
Fiji
$5,086
Ranked in the World
#83
Finland
$53,983
Ranked in the World
#164
France
$43,519
Ranked in the World
#154
Gabon
$8,017
Ranked in the World
#101
Georgia
$5,042
Ranked in the World
#81
Germany
$50,802
Ranked in the World
#159
Ghana
$2,445
Ranked in the World
#48
Greece
$20,277
Ranked in the World
#134
Grenada
$9,929
Ranked in the World
#112
Guatemala
$5,026
Ranked in the World
#80
Guinea
$1,174
Ranked in the World
#26
Guinea-Bissau
$813
Ranked in the World
#14
Guyana
$9,375
Ranked in the World
#108
Haiti
$1,815
Ranked in the World
#39
Honduras
$2,831
Ranked in the World
#54
Hong Kong
$49,661
Ranked in the World
#158
Hungary
$18,773
Ranked in the World
#133
Iceland
$68,384
Ranked in the World
#170
India
$2,277
Ranked in the World
#46
Indonesia
$4,292
Ranked in the World
#70
Iraq
$5,048
Ranked in the World
#82
Ireland
$99,152
Ranked in the World
#175
Israel
$51,430
Ranked in the World
#160
Italy
$35,551
Ranked in the World
#151
Ivory Coast
$2,579
Ranked in the World
#52
Jamaica
$4,587
Ranked in the World
#75
Japan
$39,285
Ranked in the World
#152
Jordan
$4,406
Ranked in the World
#71
Kazakhstan
$10,041
Ranked in the World
#113
Kenya
$2,007
Ranked in the World
#41
Kyrgyzstan
$1,276
Ranked in the World
#29
Laos
$2,551
Ranked in the World
#51
Latvia
$20,642
Ranked in the World
#135
Lebanon
$2,670
Ranked in the World
#53
Lesotho
$1,166
Ranked in the World
#25
Liberia
$673
Ranked in the World
#10
Liberia is the tenth poorest country in the world with a GDP per capita of $673. It is a small country located on the west coast of Africa and is still recovering from a devastating civil war that ended in 2003. Liberia's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, mining, and foreign aid. The country faces numerous challenges such as high unemployment, a weak infrastructure, and a low level of education among its population. Liberia has also struggled with political instability and corruption, which have hindered its development.
Libya
$6,018
Ranked in the World
#88
Lithuania
$23,433
Ranked in the World
#138
Luxembourg
$135,683
Ranked in the World
#177
Macau
$45,422
Ranked in the World
#155
Madagascar
$515
Ranked in the World
#5
Madagascar is the fifth poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $515. Located off the southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar has a rich biodiversity and natural resources, but poverty remains widespread. The country's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, particularly rice cultivation. However, climate change has led to recurrent droughts and floods, impacting agricultural productivity. Madagascar also faces high levels of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and soil erosion, further contributing to poverty.
Malawi
$643
Ranked in the World
#9
Malawi is the ninth poorest country in the world with a GDP per capita of $643. It is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa and has a predominantly agricultural economy. Malawi faces numerous challenges such as a rapidly growing population, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and high rates of poverty and malnutrition. The country has also experienced political instability with periodic episodes of violence and unrest, further contributing to the country’s poverty.
Malaysia
$11,371
Ranked in the World
#115
Maldives
$8,995
Ranked in the World
#105
Mali
$918
Ranked in the World
#20
Malta
$33,257
Ranked in the World
#149
Marshall Islands
$4,171
Ranked in the World
#68
Mauritania
$1,723
Ranked in the World
#37
Mauritius
$8,812
Ranked in the World
#104
Mexico
$9,926
Ranked in the World
#111
Moldova
$5,315
Ranked in the World
#84
Mongolia
$4,535
Ranked in the World
#74
Montenegro
$9,367
Ranked in the World
#107
Morocco
$3,497
Ranked in the World
#60
Mozambique
$500
Ranked in the World
#3
Mozambique is the third poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $500. Despite being rich in natural resources, including coal and natural gas, the country has struggled with poverty, inequality, and political instability. Mozambique has been severely affected by natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts which have destroyed infrastructure and damaged crops. Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria further contribute to the country’s poverty.
Myanmar
$1,187
Ranked in the World
#27
Namibia
$4,729
Ranked in the World
#77
Nauru
$12,252
Ranked in the World
#118
Nepal
$1,223
Ranked in the World
#28
Netherlands
$58,061
Ranked in the World
#165
New Zealand
$48,802
Ranked in the World
#157
Nicaragua
$2,091
Ranked in the World
#43
Niger
$595
Ranked in the World
#8
Niger is the eighth poorest country in the world with a GDP per capita of $595. The country is located in West Africa and is one of the largest countries in the region. Niger has a predominantly rural economy and is heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture and livestock production. Yet, the country faces numerous challenges such as desertification, frequent droughts, and a rapidly growing population. Niger has also experienced political instability and a high level of corruption, which has hindered its development.
Nigeria
$2,085
Ranked in the World
#42
Norway
$89,203
Ranked in the World
#173
Oman
$16,439
Ranked in the World
#126
Pakistan
$1,538
Ranked in the World
#33
Palestine
$3,664
Ranked in the World
#62
Panama
$14,516
Ranked in the World
#122
Papua New Guinea
$2,916
Ranked in the World
#55
Paraguay
$5,400
Ranked in the World
#86
People's Republic of China
$12,556
Ranked in the World
#120
Peru
$6,692
Ranked in the World
#91
Philippines
$3,549
Ranked in the World
#61
Poland
$17,841
Ranked in the World
#131
Portugal
$24,262
Ranked in the World
#141
Qatar
$61,276
Ranked in the World
#168
Republic of Macedonia
$6,721
Ranked in the World
#92
Republic of the Congo
$2,214
Ranked in the World
#45
Romania
$14,862
Ranked in the World
#123
Russia
$12,173
Ranked in the World
#117
Rwanda
$834
Ranked in the World
#15
Saint Kitts and Nevis
$18,230
Ranked in the World
#132
Saint Lucia
$9,571
Ranked in the World
#109
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$7,997
Ranked in the World
#100
São Tomé and Príncipe
$2,449
Ranked in the World
#49
Saudi Arabia
$23,586
Ranked in the World
#139
Senegal
$1,606
Ranked in the World
#35
Serbia
$9,215
Ranked in the World
#106
Seychelles
$13,307
Ranked in the World
#121
Sierra Leone
$516
Ranked in the World
#6
Sierra Leone is the sixth poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $516. The country has suffered from years of political instability, civil war, and natural disasters. In addition, Sierra Leone's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, which has been severely impacted by climate change. The country also faces significant challenges in healthcare and education, leading to high levels of infant mortality and illiteracy rates.
Singapore
$72,794
Ranked in the World
#172
Slovakia
$21,088
Ranked in the World
#136
Slovenia
$29,201
Ranked in the World
#145
Solomon Islands
$2,337
Ranked in the World
#47
Somalia
$446
Ranked in the World
#2
Somalia is the second poorest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $446. The country has been devastated by decades of conflict, terrorism, and droughts. The ongoing civil war and the presence of extremist groups have destabilized the country, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Somalia's economy is also heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock, which have been severely impacted by climate change and insecurity. Finally, the lack of access to basic services such as healthcare and education further exacerbates the country's poverty.
South Africa
$6,994
Ranked in the World
#94
South Korea
$34,758
Ranked in the World
#150
Spain
$30,116
Ranked in the World
#146
Sri Lanka
$3,815
Ranked in the World
#65
Sudan
$764
Ranked in the World
#13
Suriname
$4,836
Ranked in the World
#78
Sweden
$60,239
Ranked in the World
#167
Switzerland
$93,457
Ranked in the World
#174
Tajikistan
$897
Ranked in the World
#18
Tanzania
$1,136
Ranked in the World
#24
Thailand
$7,233
Ranked in the World
#95
The Bahamas
$28,239
Ranked in the World
#144
The Gambia
$836
Ranked in the World
#16
Togo
$992
Ranked in the World
#22
Trinidad and Tobago
$15,243
Ranked in the World
#125
Tunisia
$3,924
Ranked in the World
#67
Turkey
$9,587
Ranked in the World
#110
Turks and Caicos Islands
$24,047
Ranked in the World
#140
Uganda
$858
Ranked in the World
#17
Ukraine
$4,836
Ranked in the World
#79
United Kingdom
$47,334
Ranked in the World
#156
United States of America
$69,288
Ranked in the World
#171
Uruguay
$17,021
Ranked in the World
#128
Uzbekistan
$1,983
Ranked in the World
#40
Vanuatu
$3,127
Ranked in the World
#56
Vietnam
$3,694
Ranked in the World
#63
Yemen
$691
Ranked in the World
#11
Zambia
$1,121
Ranked in the World
#23
Zimbabwe
$1,737
Ranked in the World
#38
FAQs
What is the poorest country in the world ?
The poorest country in the world is Burundi, with a GDP per capita of $237.
What are the ten poorest countries in the world ?
The ten poorest countries in the world are Burundi, Somalia, Mozambique, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Malawi, and Liberia.