One of the key challenges facing our world today is poverty. While the world has witnessed technological and economic advancements, there are still countries left behind, plagued by devastating poverty, political turmoil, and a lack of development, which have failed to trigger sustainable economic growth and improve living conditions. In 2025, the poorest countries are predominantly located in Sub-Saharan Africa and some parts of Asia, where they are confronted by overlapping challenges such as armed conflicts, weak infrastructure, corruption, climate impacts, and limited access to education and healthcare facilities. This post provides eye-opening information about the top 10 poorest countries in the world, including everything you need to know about them, such as their economic conditions, the reasons behind their poverty, and the projected situation of these countries by 2025.
Understanding Poverty Measurement: GDP Per Capita and PPP
Many economists use Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita to measure the wealth of the poorest countries by dividing a nation’s total economic output by its population. This indicator provides an approximation of the average wealth and well-being of a country’s people. However, GDP doesn’t account for differences in the cost of living between countries and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is also used. PPP converts GDP to what people can buy in their own local economy, providing a more realistic measure of a household’s standard of living. The countries in the tables are arranged by GDP (PPP) per capita for 2025, and also based on the latest data from the International Monetary Fund.
Top 10 Poorest Countries in 2025
1. South Sudan ($455 GDP-PPP per Capita)
South Sudan, which is the poorest country in the world and has been for several years, has been plagued by an extended civil war since it became independent in 2011. It has uprooted millions, destroyed vital infrastructure and brought agricultural production to a standstill, long the backbone of its economy. The nation is heavily dependent on oil revenues, which have been erratic due to conflict and some pipeline disruptions. Political instability, widespread food insecurity (which impacts over 60% of the population) and a weak health system contribute to high levels of poverty. While there has been some anticipated GDP growth, it remains grim for most people in South Sudan.
2. Burundi ($916 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a majority of its population relying on subsistence farming. It is plagued by problems such as a lack of electricity and clean water, crumbling infrastructure, and food insecurity. Despite gains in economic stats, development attempts have been hamstrung by political instability and corruption. Fragile health and education systems in a country help keep human development indicators low.
3. Central African Republic (CAR) ($532 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Chronic instability, rebel confrontations and political turmoil plague CAR and hinder growth. The population relies largely on agriculture, but insecurity hampers farming and market access. Only a minimum of services are functioning, even in core areas such as education and health, and infrastructure has been neglected. These are the reasons that per capita GDP remains among the world’s lowest.
4. Malawi ($580 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Malawi’s reliance on agriculture, which makes it vulnerable to climate shocks such as droughts and floods, keeps it among the world’s poorest nations, despite some improvements in health and education. Malawi faces significant challenges in improving its living standards due to rapid population growth, limited industrialization, and inadequate infrastructure.
5. Madagascar ($595 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Political unpredictability, natural disasters, and Madagascar’s fragile agriculture sector are the main causes of the country’s poverty. The island nation faces challenges such as soil erosion, deforestation, and limited access to healthcare and education. The majority of people make their living from low-productivity subsistence farming.
6. Sudan ($625 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Years of civil war, the loss of oil revenue after South Sudan’s secession, and continuous political unrest have all had an impact on Sudan’s economy. Poverty persists despite abundant natural resources, and many people do not have access to essential services. Food insecurity and inflation continue to be significant problems.
7. Mozambique ($663 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Due to climate-related shocks such as droughts and cyclones, Mozambique’s economy, which is heavily reliant on agriculture, remains vulnerable. Widespread poverty persists despite the discovery of natural resources, largely due to inadequate infrastructure, governance challenges, and a lack of investment in human capital.
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo ($743 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Despite possessing an abundance of minerals and cobalt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains plagued by conflict, corruption, and poor governance. Development is hampered by violence in the eastern regions and inadequate infrastructure. For a large portion of the population, these circumstances make it more difficult to access services and distribute wealth.
9. Niger ($751 GDP-PPP per Capita)
In addition to frequent droughts and harsh desert climates that hinder agricultural development, Niger also faces rapid population growth, which puts a strain on its finite resources. The country’s landlocked status limits market access, and issues with governance and regional security hinder development.
10. Somalia ($766 GDP-PPP per Capita)
Chronic insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and restricted access to essential services are the results of Somalia’s protracted conflicts and ineffective government. Widespread poverty and food insecurity continue despite some economic activity through remittances and the informal sector.
Common Causes of Persistent Poverty
Each of the poorest countries shares many commonalities. Wars and political instability are bad for economic development, deterring investment. Influence of climate: Large dependence on agriculture, frequently in the form of subsistence farming, which is sensitive to climatic changes, restricts income generation. The low level of infrastructure and the lack of educational and health facilities lower productivity, as well as human development. Insufficient governance and corruption impair the success of poverty-reducing programmes. Demographic pressures are a strain on many, where high rates of population growth stretch the relatively limited resources.
Outlook and Global Efforts
Despite the challenging economic outlook for these nations, development initiatives, peacebuilding efforts, and international aid are designed to improve the situation. Progress can be achieved through investments in human development, agricultural modernization, governance reforms, and infrastructure development. However, settling disputes and establishing stable political environments are necessary for long-term progress.
Conclusion
The world’s 10 poorest countries in 2025 are burdened with specific, complex issues that perpetuate the poverty of their people. A dozen other small countries, from South Sudan to Burundi and the Central African Republic, grapple with conflict, underdevelopment, and fragile governance. It is essential to understand the distinct and common causes of poverty across these countries as a basis for effective intervention and economic growth enhancement. Cooperation across borders, targeted aid, and reforms from within are the keys to pulling millions out of poverty in these parts of the world.
The world urgently needs to combat extreme poverty through concerted efforts on multiple fronts, as this comprehensive overview demonstrates the current situation and the difficulties faced by the world’s poorest nations.