Economic Mapping 2025: The 50 Poorest Nations in the World in Question

Per capita GDP measurement reveals stark economic disparities between nations. In 2025, several African regions concentrate the lowest income levels, while South Asia and Southeast Asia also face major economic challenges.

African nations dominated by extreme poverty

The African continent largely dominates this unenviable ranking. South Sudan remains the poorest country with a GDP per capita of $251, followed by Yemen (417 $) and Burundi (490 $). The Central African Republic (532 $), Malawi (580 $), and Madagascar (595 $) complete this trio of the most fragile economies.

Beyond the leaders, there is a continuous chain of African nations: Sudan (625 $), Mozambique (663 $), DRC (743 $), and Niger (751 $). Somalia, facing chronic instability, shows $766, while Nigeria, the continent’s demographic giant, remains limited to $807.

Two distinct regional dynamics in West and Central Africa

West and Central Africa have a particular concentration. Liberia (908 $), Sierra Leone (916 $), and Mali (936 $) remain among the most deprived. The Gambia (988 $) and Chad (991 $) also occupy critical positions.

Some countries show slight relative progress: Rwanda (1 043 $), Togo (1 053 $), and Ethiopia (1 066 $) surpass the $1,000 threshold slightly. Lesotho (1 098 $) and Burkina Faso (1 107 $) fall into this lower middle zone.

South Asia: a second hub of structural poverty

Beyond Africa, Southeast and South Asia present their own challenges. Myanmar (1 177 $), Tanzania (1 280 $), and Zambia (1 332 $) embody regional difficulties. Uganda (1 338 $) and Tajikistan (1 432 $) reflect fragile economies.

Nepal (1 458 $), Timor-Leste (1 491 $), and Cambodia (2 870 $) illustrate persistent development issues in this geographic area. India (2 878 $), despite its status as a global economic power, sees its per capita GDP remain modest due to its massive population.

Transition zone: between extreme poverty and emerging development

A third category emerges between $1,500 and $2,500: Benin (1 532 $), Comoros (1 702 $), Senegal (1 811 $), Cameroon (1 865 $), and Guinea (1 904 $). These nations seek to consolidate their economic bases.

Laos (2 096 $), Zimbabwe (2 199 $), Congo (2 356 $), and Kenya (2 468 $) surpass the $2,000 mark, while Ghana (2 519 $), Papua New Guinea (2 565 $), Haiti (2 672 $), and Bangladesh (2 689 $) complete the spectrum of the poorest countries in the world at the beginning of this decade.

Common structural challenges

These economies face converging challenges: political instability, limited access to education and infrastructure, dependence on raw natural resources, and lack of investment in technology. Economic mobility remains hindered by deep geographic, institutional, and historical factors.