Ten of the world’s poorest nations where battling for food is more important than using weapons

By Anurag Tiwari

It might be exciting and aspirational to study the world’s wealthiest countries, but it’s equally important to consider those who live at the other extreme of the wealth spectrum.

Helping poorer countries improve their financial standing is one of the primary ways that organizations like the UN try to raise the general standard of living for their citizens. Wealth is influenced by a wide range of factors, including a nation’s natural resources, educational system, political stability, and national debt. Generally referred to as third-world countries or, less charitably, undeveloped countries, most of the world’s poorest countries are also among the least developed, but not all of them are.

The Poorest Countries in the World:

In the World Bank’s classification, the world’s poorest nations are designated as low-income economies, based on their Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. GNI calculates the national income divided by the population and includes foreign income sources like investments and real estate, making it a slightly more accurate gauge of a nation’s financial health compared to GDP, which only measures domestic output.

While global resources are abundant enough to support basic living standards, countries like Burundi, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic continue to face extreme poverty.

Here are the Top 10 Poorest Countries by GNI per Capita (2020):

1. Burundi: $270
   Struggling with a history of ethnic conflict and civil war, 90% of Burundi’s population relies on subsistence agriculture, leading to severe food insecurity and poverty.
2. Somalia: $310
   Decades of internal conflict, droughts, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated Somalia’s poverty, leaving millions in dire conditions.
3. Mozambique: $460
   Despite natural resources, Mozambique’s population faces poverty due to political instability, corruption, and attacks by Islamist militants in the northern part of the country.
4. Madagascar: $480
   Known for its biodiversity, Madagascar’s economy is vulnerable to natural disasters. Political unrest and poor infrastructure hinder its growth, keeping much of the population in poverty.
5. Sierra Leone: $490
   Following a brutal civil war and the Ebola crisis, Sierra Leone continues to suffer from poverty, compounded by poor governance and the recent global food price surge.
6. Afghanistan: $500
   Afghanistan’s economic development is stalled by decades of conflict, political instability, and a lack of foreign investment, despite substantial mineral reserves.
7. Central African Republic: $510
   Ongoing conflict and a weak government have kept the Central African Republic in a constant state of instability, with a significant portion of the population living in poverty.
8. Liberia: $530
   Liberia, still recovering from civil wars and the Ebola epidemic, faces challenges such as poor infrastructure, low education levels, and high poverty rates.
9. Niger: $540
   Despite being rich in natural resources, Niger is hindered by rapid population growth, food insecurity, and frequent political unrest, leaving nearly half its population in extreme poverty.
10. Democratic Republic of the Congo: $550
    Decades of violent conflict and political instability have severely affected the Congo’s economy. Despite abundant natural resources, corruption and conflict prevent the country from escaping poverty.

As of 2025, the poorest countries in the world are primarily located in Africa, driven by factors such as political instability, economic dependence on limited industries, and inadequate infrastructure.

Here Are the Top 10 Poorest Countries in the World in 2025.

1. South Sudan is ranked as the poorest country, with a GDP per capita of around $455. This is due to its young age as a nation, continuous conflict, political instability, and over-reliance on oil revenue​
2. Burundi follows closely, with a GDP per capita of $916. The country suffers from economic instability, political unrest, and dependence on subsistence agriculture
3. Central African Republic is another country facing ongoing conflict and political instability, with a GDP per capita of $1,123​
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo has vast natural resources but struggles with political instability and inadequate infrastructure, resulting in a GDP per capita of $1,552​
5. Mozambique, impacted by natural disasters and political instability, has a GDP per capita of $1,649​
6. Niger, facing rapid population growth and limited diversification in its economy, has a GDP per capita of $1,675​
7. Malawi, dependent on agriculture and facing food insecurity, is ranked seventh with a GDP per capita of $1,712​
8. Liberia, recovering from civil war, faces high unemployment and underdeveloped infrastructure, with a GDP per capita of $1,882​
9. Madagascar, with political instability and environmental degradation, has a GDP per capita of $1,979​
10. Yemen, devastated by conflict, has a GDP per capita of $1,996​

These nations grapple with complex challenges, including political instability, natural disasters, and limited access to education and healthcare, which all hinder their economic development.

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