The ten poorest countries in the world: structural causes of a humanitarian crisis

The global economic inequality continues to be one of the main concerns of international organizations. Every year, the IMF and the World Bank release updated reports on development and per capita income of nations. Among the most impactful findings is the concentration of extreme poverty in specific regions of the planet. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of which countries are the poorest in the world in 2025, the indicators that explain this reality, and the structural challenges they face.

How is a nation’s poverty level measured?

To identify the poorest country in the world, experts use the adjusted GDP per capita by purchasing power parity (PPP) as the main metric. Unlike other measurements, this indicator considers not only a nation’s gross domestic product but also the local cost of living and the population size.

This approach allows for more accurate comparisons between economies with different currencies and price structures. Although it does not fully capture internal social inequality or the quality of public services, it remains one of the best available tools to assess the average income level and economic vulnerability of countries.

Updated ranking of the ten poorest countries in the world (2025)

The nations with the lowest GDP per capita are mostly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as regions marked by prolonged conflicts and political instability.

These values reflect deeply vulnerable economies, where the average annual income barely exceeds two thousand US dollars.

The roots of extreme poverty

Despite geographical and cultural particularities, the poorest country in the world and its poor neighbors share similar structural obstacles that perpetuate the cycle of economic stagnation.

Armed conflicts and institutional fragility

Civil wars, political coups, and systematic violence dismantle government structures, drive away foreign capital, and deteriorate essential infrastructure. South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and the Central African Republic exemplify how instability erodes any possibility of sustainable economic development.

Fragile and underdeveloped economies

A large portion of these territories depends on subsistence agriculture or raw material exports, with no significant industry or robust tertiary sector. This lack of diversification exposes them to international price fluctuations and climate crises, causing devastating impacts.

Deficits in education, health, and infrastructure

Insufficient investment in these pillars reduces the productive capacity of the population and compromises future economic gains. Less qualified populations generate lower added value, perpetuating poverty across generations.

Accelerated demographic growth

When the population expands faster than productive capacity, GDP per capita stagnates or recedes, even if total GDP grows. This dynamic affects almost all of the ten poorest countries in the world.

Individual analysis: the ranking’s main players

South Sudan - leader in extreme poverty

Since its independence in 2011, internal conflicts dominate the political landscape. With significant oil reserves, the lack of governance prevents these resources from benefiting the population, keeping the country at the top of the misery ranking.

Burundi - an agricultural economy in crisis

The minimally productive rural economy, combined with decades of instability, has placed Burundi among nations with the worst global human development indicators.

Central African Republic - wasted mineral wealth

Despite rich deposits of diamonds, gold, and other minerals, ongoing wars, forced displacements, and the collapse of public services keep the population in poverty.

Malawi - vulnerable to climatic factors

Highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, droughts and climate change directly impact household income. Minimal industrialization worsens the situation.

Mozambique - unrealized energy potential

Gas and mineral reserves do not translate into well-being for the population. Regional conflicts and a less diversified economy maintain poverty structures.

Somalia - consequences of state anarchy

After prolonged civil war, the lack of functional public institutions, chronic food insecurity, and a predominant informal economy define the local reality.

Democratic Republic of the Congo - minerals that do not enrich

Despite vast deposits of copper, cobalt, and gold, systematic corruption, armed conflicts, and poor governance concentrate wealth in a few, leaving most in misery.

Liberia - scars of civil war

The impacts of past civil wars persist in the form of ruined infrastructure, lack of industrialization, and slow economic recovery.

Yemen - the only exception outside the African continent

Engaged in civil conflict since 2014, the country faces one of the worst contemporary humanitarian crises, with mass hunger and systematic destruction.

Madagascar - an island with underutilized potential

Despite unique biodiversity, agricultural and tourist resources, repeated political instability, rural poverty, and low economic productivity hinder development.

What to understand about the world’s poorest country?

Identifying the poorest country in the world goes beyond simply naming a nation in a ranking. These data reveal how wars, fragile institutions, and lack of structural investment block long-term economic progress. The ranking exposes global challenges related to inequality, balanced growth, and effective public policy implementation.

Understanding the planetary economic reality — including which countries are the poorest in the world and why they remain in this condition — offers valuable perspectives on geopolitical risks, market trends, and investment opportunities worldwide. For investors and traders in development, this information contextualizes strategic decisions about resource allocation.

Starting your journey in financial markets, choosing the right platform is crucial. Look for a solution with access to multiple international markets, advanced analytical tools, and effective risk controls. Test strategies in a simulated environment before committing real capital, developing practical knowledge without risk. Financial education, methodological discipline, and appropriate technological resources form the foundation for responsible operations in the market.