Global Poorest Countries Ranking: Which Countries Have the Lowest GDP Per Capita in 2025

According to the latest economic data for 2025, there is a severe wealth gap worldwide. In the poorest countries, per capita income levels vary greatly. This ranking covers the 50 countries with the lowest per capita GDP globally, some of which have annual per capita incomes of less than $300, reflecting significant global economic inequality.

Africa Dominates: Geographic Distribution of Poor Countries

Among the world’s poorest nations, African countries make up the majority. This reflects systemic economic challenges on the continent, including inadequate infrastructure, reliance on a single industry, and political instability. Data shows that at least 35 of the 50 poorest countries are located in sub-Saharan Africa.

South Sudan at the Bottom: Per Capita GDP of Only $251

The poorest country in the world is South Sudan, with a per capita GDP of just $251 in 2025. This East African nation has experienced years of civil war and conflict, severely hindering economic development. Following it are Yemen ($417), Burundi ($490), and the Central African Republic ($532). The per capita incomes in these countries are still a fraction of what middle-class families in developed nations earn monthly.

Economic Challenges in Asia and the Pacific

Although Asia’s overall economy is growing strongly, several countries remain in extreme poverty. Myanmar ($1,177), Tajikistan ($1,432), Nepal ($1,458), and East Timor ($1,491) all have per capita GDP below $1,500. The Solomon Islands ($2,379) and Kiribati ($2,414) in the South Pacific are also among the poorest countries globally.

Complete Global Ranking of the Poorest Countries (TOP 50)

TOP 10 Poorest Countries:

1. 🇸🇸 South Sudan: $251
2. 🇾🇪 Yemen: $417
3. 🇧🇮 Burundi: $490
4. 🇨🇫 Central African Republic: $532
5. 🇲🇼 Malawi: $580
6. 🇲🇬 Madagascar: $595
7. 🇸🇩 Sudan: $625
8. 🇲🇿 Mozambique: $663
9. 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo: $743
10. 🇳🇪 Niger: $751

Ranks 11-20: 11. 🇸🇴 Somalia: $766 12. 🇳🇬 Nigeria: $807 13. 🇱🇷 Liberia: $908 14. 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone: $916 15. 🇲🇱 Mali: $936 16. 🇬🇲 Gambia: $988 17. 🇹🇩 Chad: $991 18. 🇷🇼 Rwanda: $1,043 19. 🇹🇬 Togo: $1,053 20. 🇪🇹 Ethiopia: $1,066

Ranks 21-30: 21. 🇱🇸 Lesotho: $1,098 22. 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso: $1,107 23. 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau: $1,126 24. 🇲🇲 Myanmar: $1,177 25. 🇹🇿 Tanzania: $1,280 26. 🇿🇲 Zambia: $1,332 27. 🇺🇬 Uganda: $1,338 28. 🇹🇯 Tajikistan: $1,432 29. 🇳🇵 Nepal: $1,458 30. 🇹🇱 East Timor: $1,491

Ranks 31-40: 31. 🇧🇯 Benin: $1,532 32. 🇰🇲 Comoros: $1,702 33. 🇸🇳 Senegal: $1,811 34. 🇨🇲 Cameroon: $1,865 35. 🇬🇳 Guinea: $1,904 36. 🇱🇦 Laos: $2,096 37. 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe: $2,199 38. 🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo: $2,356 39. 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands: $2,379 40. 🇰🇮 Kiribati: $2,414

Ranks 41-50: 41. 🇰🇪 Kenya: $2,468 42. 🇲🇷 Mauritania: $2,478 43. 🇬🇭 Ghana: $2,519 44. 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea: $2,565 45. 🇭🇹 Haiti: $2,672 46. 🇧🇩 Bangladesh: $2,689 47. 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: $2,747 48. 🇰🇭 Cambodia: $2,870 49. 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast: $2,872 50. 🇮🇳 India: $2,878

Underlying Causes of the World’s Poorest Countries

These countries face multiple challenges: long-term political instability, underdeveloped infrastructure, insufficient investment in education and health, over-reliance on raw material exports, and unfavorable positions in international trade. Many also suffer from heavy debt burdens, capital flight, and brain drain, creating vicious cycles that hinder economic growth.

Outlook and Hope

Despite the severe economic hardships, many of these countries are slowly but steadily improving through international aid, technology transfer, infrastructure investment, and political reforms. The 2025 data is just a snapshot; future economic landscapes still hold the potential for change.