Poorest Countries in the World by GDP per Capita
The world's poorest countries by GDP per capita are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, with South Sudan, Burundi, and the Central African Republic consistently at the bottom of global rankings. Low GDP per capita is strongly correlated with factors including political instability, conflict, limited natural resources, poor infrastructure, and lack of access to education and healthcare. Despite the challenges, some nations have made remarkable progress: countries like Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh have dramatically improved their economies over the past two decades through sustained investment and reforms. The World Bank classifies countries with a GNI per capita below $1,135 as low-income economies.
Complete ranking
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the poorest country in the world?
South Sudan and Burundi consistently rank among the poorest countries in the world by GDP per capita, with values below $300 per year. The Central African Republic, Niger, and Malawi also rank near the bottom.
Why are some countries so poor?
Poverty is caused by a complex mix of factors: colonial history and resource extraction, political instability and corruption, geographic challenges (landlocked, prone to drought), conflict and displacement, lack of investment in education and healthcare, and limited access to global markets.
Which country has improved the most from poverty?
China has lifted more people out of poverty than any other nation — over 800 million people since 1978. Rwanda and Ethiopia have also made remarkable progress in recent decades, significantly improving GDP per capita and human development indicators.
How does the World Bank define poor countries?
The World Bank classifies economies into four income groups based on GNI per capita: low income (below $1,135), lower-middle income ($1,136–$4,465), upper-middle income ($4,466–$13,845), and high income (above $13,845).
Are there natural resources in the poorest countries?
Ironically, many of the world's poorest countries are rich in natural resources. The Democratic Republic of Congo has vast mineral wealth including cobalt and coltan. This is sometimes called the "resource curse" — wealth in natural resources does not automatically translate to economic development.