The 10 Poorest Countries in the World

The disparity in wealth between the richest and poorest countries in the world can be absolutely mind blowing. According to the latest numbers, in the United States roughly 11% of the population lives below the poverty line. That's pretty bad, but as we'll see in a moment, plenty of countries featured a substantially higher percentage of their respective populations living below the poverty line.

Another way to examine wealth (or lack thereof) in a country would be to look at Gross Domestic Product per capita based on purchasing power parity (GDP-PPP).

The country with the highest GDP-PPP is Luxembourg, with $140,000 GDP-PPP. The United States' GDP-PPP is $76,000.

The country with the lowest GDP-PPP is Burundi. The GDP-PPP in Burundi is $856.

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The 10 Poorest Countries in the World

#1: Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked country in East Africa that has struggled with political instability, corruption, and poverty for decades. Over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the country has a GDP per capita of only $261. Between these two metrics, poverty line and GDP, Burundi is the poorest country in the world.

#2: South Sudan

South Sudan is the world's newest country, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011. However, it has been plagued by conflict and economic instability ever since, with a GDP per capita of only $303.

#3: Malawi

Malawi is a small country in southeast Africa that has faced numerous challenges, including droughts, floods, and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Over 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the country has a GDP per capita of $347.

#4: Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in central Africa that has been wracked by conflict and instability for years. Over 70% of the population lives in poverty, and the country has a GDP per capita of only $373.

#5: Mozambique

Mozambique is a country in southeast Africa that has made progress in recent years, but still faces significant economic challenges. It has a high debt burden and struggles with poverty and corruption, with a GDP per capita of $502.

#6: Niger

Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa that faces numerous challenges, including desertification, food insecurity, and political instability. Over 40% of the population lives in poverty, and the country has a GDP per capita of only $537.

#7: Liberia

Liberia is a country in West Africa that is still recovering from a devastating civil war that ended in 2003. It has struggled with poverty and a lack of infrastructure, with a GDP per capita of $633.

#8: Madagascar

Madagascar is a large island nation off the coast of southeast Africa that has struggled with political instability and poverty for years. It has a high rate of deforestation and struggles with food insecurity, with a GDP per capita of $665.

#9: Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a large country in central Africa that has been plagued by conflict and instability for decades. It has vast natural resources, but most of its population lives in poverty, with a GDP per capita of only $785.

#10: Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia that has faced numerous challenges, including war, terrorism, and poverty. It has a high rate of illiteracy and a lack of infrastructure, with a GDP per capita of $524.

In closing…

These 10 countries face significant challenges in terms of poverty, political instability, and a lack of infrastructure. While some have made progress in recent years, they still have a long way to go to achieve economic and social development.

Read more: The 10 Poorest Countries in the World


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