Top 5 poorest countries. The poorest countries

16.04.2020

Economic development countries determines the quality of life of citizens. The assessment is made according to a number of indicators. The world knows many examples of how, in just a few years, poor states made economic leaps and demonstrated a real miracle of development.

However, the population of some countries in Africa and Asia continue to live in appalling conditions. What are the reasons for this situation? The technological leap has not brought the world to equality and stability. We present to our readers the ranking of the poorest countries in the world.

Criteria for determining poverty

The United Nations (UN) applies the term “least developed” (LDC) to poor areas. If a state is officially included in the list, it receives development assistance. It is paradoxical that benefits and access to Western markets do not change the situation in economically underdeveloped countries.

According to the UN, in 2020 there are 47 countries on the list of LDCs. Obtaining the status of a poor state is based on the findings of the commission, which evaluates it according to three criteria. These include:

Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI);
income level of residents (calculation is based on GDP per capita on average for the last 3 years);
assessment of real quality of life (RQOL).

Let's talk about indices in more detail, since they are calculated using complex formulas. In order to calculate the quality of life of citizens, economists take into account:

literacy level;
quality of education;
public health;
quality food products and nutrition in general.

To assess the vulnerability of citizens, an analysis of the political situation and people's capabilities is carried out. If they live well, then why should they fight for a change of power?

Distribution of least developed countries around the world

The average poorest country in the world: characteristics

In order to characterize not a specific country, but an average statistical one, let us turn to the estimates international organizations. All of them are collected in the table.

In addition to the statistics listed above, it is worth considering that the poorest countries in the world have the following problems:

low literacy level;
environmental pollution due to a large number of landfills;
epidemiological situation (HIV, hepatitis, etc.);
underdevelopment of medicine, high mortality rate;
corruption of officials;
rampant crime.

Inclusion in the list of LDCs does not depend on the number of citizens inhabiting it, the presence of mineral resources, climate and other reasons. Let's look at ten poor countries on the planet and study their main problems.

10 poorest countries in the world

It is noteworthy that since 1968, only 8 out of 47 countries have left the list of LDCs. These include Vietnam, which is developing rapidly (GDP per capita $3,100), and the Republic of Maldives (earns from tourism, GDP - $14,895). It says what to do economic miracle possible regardless of the presence of natural gas, oil and diamond deposits. To leave the list of the poorest countries in the world, it is enough to understand exactly how to lead the country out of the crisis.

The top poorest countries in the world indicate gross domestic product per capita. For comparison: in Russia it is $27,890.

10th place – Togolese Republic (GDP $1084)

The Togolese Republic is located in the west of the African continent. It has been included in the list of the poorest countries in the world since 1982. Population: 7.154 million people. Most of them consider themselves tribal peoples, 51% still profess ancient cults.

The city of Kara in Togo, where tourists are brought on educational tours

In 2000, after the death of the president, the republic was rocked by revolutionary unrest. Some citizens protested against the transfer of power to the son of the deceased speaker. Despite this, elections were held in Togo, which Faure Essosimna won. He continued his father's authoritarian policies.

The economy is structured as follows:

the main part (47%) falls on agriculture;
27% – service sector;
26% - industry.

Togo exports phosphates, coffee, cotton and cocoa. It is noteworthy that in 2018 the World Tourism Organization included the republic in the list of countries where European tourists seek to visit. Its popularity is growing, but the UN does not predict that Togo will leave the list of poor territories until 2021.

9th place – Madagascar (GDP $970)

Vanilla harvest in Madagascar

An island state occupying an island of the same name. The population is about 25 million inhabitants. Madagascar's problem is its underdeveloped economy. There is no industry in the country; the development of agriculture is directly dependent on weather conditions and demand for products:

vanilla;
cocoa;
coffee;
sugar;
peanut.

A small part of citizens are involved in the tourism sector. According to international organizations, all reforms were carried out under external pressure. The government of Madagascar is mired in corruption and is unwilling to correct the poverty situation.

8th place – Republic of Malawi (GDP $879)

The African state of Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, having a number of political and economic problems:

territorial dispute with neighboring Tanzania;
90% of the economy is agriculture;
HIV infection among the population is more than 11%.

Melania Trump in Malawi on a humanitarian mission

The state has a high mortality rate. Despite the help of international organizations, the USA, Germany and others Western countries, the economic situation is not changing for the better. The main export goods are tobacco, tea, and gold.

7th place – Niger (GDP $829)

The republic is located in western Africa and is landlocked and dependent on neighboring states. An additional problem for Niger is its arid climate and poor soils, so no more than 3% of the land is suitable for agriculture.

A look at the capital of Niger from blogger Varlamov

Officially, 70% of Niger's population lives below the poverty line. The republic has huge reserves of uranium and is completely dependent on foreign assistance. As uranium prices fall, debts to international organizations increase.

The low level of concern for the health of citizens, the epidemic of cholera and yellow fever is the reason for the high infant mortality and low level of development human potential.

6th place – Republic of Zimbabwe (GDP $788)

Zimbabwe's economy began to deteriorate rapidly after gaining independence from Britain in 1980. Until this time, the state was in first place in terms of economic indicators among African countries. This was facilitated by a favorable climate, the presence of a large number of deposits, and political stability.

Zimbabwe has turned from one of the richest countries in Africa into a poor, unstable state.

Today, the population growth rate is decreasing, despite the fact that it is customary for families to have 3-4 children. The number of citizens infected with HIV is growing every year. Life expectancy is on average below 50 years.

To stabilize the situation, the government switched to payments in US dollars, which quickly replaced local currency.

5th place – Eritrea (GDP $707)

At the heart of the economic problems of this poor east African state are political problems:

constant military conflicts;
authoritarian regime;
one-party system.

The government controls all spheres of life, including religion and the media. Even though the war with Ethiopia ended in 2000, skirmishes still occur from time to time. Most of the residents (80%) are engaged in agriculture, while its share in the total economy does not reach 15%. This is due to the fact that the share of the urban population is only 20%.

Schoolchildren in Eritrea

The president, Isaias Afewerki, has ruled the state since 1993. It is believed that under him, Eritrea has become the largest intermediary in the arms trade. Most of the goods are imported; you will notice that there are no price tags in the stores, since you can bargain and offer goods for exchange.

4th place – Liberia (GDP $703)

A state in West Africa that has been on the list of the poorest since 1990. Unemployment here reaches 85%, which is a critical figure even for the poorest continent.

Market in Liberia

The cause of the economic collapse and poverty was the ongoing civil conflicts. Liberia was created by American blacks who received freedom. Its name translates as “Land of Freedom,” but the country’s population is still fighting for independence and territory.

In 1980, the country experienced a coup d'etat, after which the economic situation deteriorated significantly. Since then, there has been a series of civil wars that have claimed the lives of more than 150 thousand people. The main source of income is the fee for the use of the country's national flag by foreign ships.

3rd place – Democratic Republic of the Congo (GDP $648)

Congo's development is hampered by ongoing military conflicts

Congo is one of those African countries where poverty levels have reached colossal proportions. Reasons:

period of political crisis;
high level of corruption;
long civil war;
consequences of the Second Congo War.

The country is poorly developed; tribes of cannibals are still found on its territory. The economy depends on the prices of mined raw materials (diamonds, tantalum, cobalt) and fluctuates as prices change in the markets.

2nd place – Burundi (GDP $642)

Burundi has been among the poorest countries in the world since 1971. Having a small territory, Burundi has the opportunity to develop agriculture.

Typical street in the capital of Burundi

Burundi has experienced a series of military conflicts as one group replaced another in the struggle for power. During this period, poor citizens continued to lose their homes and loved ones. The result is the death of hundreds of thousands of people. The country's own history has been little studied; there are not enough teachers, doctors (1 doctor per 37,000 people on average), and other qualified personnel.

HIV infection rates, according to various estimates, range from 4% to 7%. Exported:

coffee;
livestock skins.

Mainly cooperates with Europe and also with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia.

The poorest country in the world is the Central African Republic (GDP $391)

The Central African Republic declared independence in 1960, and since 1975 it has been among the poorest countries. The country's economy was affected by a large number of military conflicts. Today it is based on logging and agriculture.

Fishermen in the Central African Republic

The CAR is known in the world as an exporter of diamonds and timber. Residents do not see political stability. Since 1966, the territory has been constantly shaken by coups, and clashes have occurred between tribes. The poor and vulnerable sections of the population suffer from this. The HIV infection rate exceeds 7%. Literacy – 48%.

According to forecasts of international organizations, the Central African Republic will remain one of the poorest countries in the world in the next 10 years.

What is the situation with poverty in America?

In assessing America's problems, we note that each country on two continents has problems of poverty, but they are not so significant. Things are more complicated in Haiti. This country occupies the western part of the island of the same name and several islands in the Caribbean.

Haiti is the poorest country in America, its people are starving and live in appalling conditions. It is noteworthy that the neighbor on the island, Dominican Republic, is a paradise for tourists from all over the world.

As a former colony of France, Haiti has been rocked by coups, revolutions, and political crises since 1804. The USA plays a huge role here, which occupied the state to change or retain power twice. The causes of poverty are:

political instability;
corruption;
vulnerability to natural disasters;
poor quality of healthcare;
literacy – 53%.

The poorest countries in Asia

The problem of poverty in Asia is more acute. Despite the fact that Asian people are generally very hardworking, accustomed to working for the benefit of their family and country, the UN records an increase in the number of poor people.

Since ancient times, this state has been considered an ancient center of trade between East and West. The last war, which began in 1979, continues today. Afghanistan is not stable politically and economically. Most of the country's budget comes from outside assistance.

The war touched every citizen, leaving a heavy imprint on him. Afghans trade opium illegally. Quote from a UN report on the topic of drug trafficking: “No country in the world has produced as many drugs as modern Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan is the largest drug factory in the world

Bangladesh

This country was a major supplier of jute, the demand for which has fallen today. Residents of Bangladesh are forced to leave their homes, work abroad as much as possible, learn to live in a new way, speak other languages.

Per capita income does not exceed 580 US dollars. Economic situation remains unchanged despite foreign aid.

Nepal

Nepal has a high level of unemployment and poverty; today the state is included in the list of the poorest Asian countries. Economically, Nepal is dependent on India. The main part of the economy is agriculture.

Nepal is famous not for its interesting cities, but for the highest peak in the world, Everest. Dozens of climbers and amateurs strive to conquer the peak every year. 18% of the population are employed in the service sector. The state also receives income from the influx of climbers, because other eight-thousanders are located on its territory.

This is an agrarian-industrial state that lost billions of dollars during the long civil war that was fought for power. If it were not for political instability, Tajikistan would be much more developed.

Life in a mountain village

Today this country is the main supplier of migrants to Russia. Only workers from Uzbekistan can compare with them in numbers. There were not many Kyrgyz and Kazakhs on the market; today the migration process has begun to decline.

Poverty in Europe

The problem of the poor in modern Europe is inherent eastern countries.

Moldova

Moldova is not on the list of the poorest countries in the world, however, the poverty situation here is acute. A significant part of the population works in Russia and other European countries, since the unemployment rate is not decreasing.

View of Pristina, the capital of Kosovo

The main problem in Kosovo is unemployment. According to official data, it affects 39% of the population considered poor. Migrants from the country leave to work in Europe. The country's external debt is estimated at 35% of GDP. The independence of Kosovo after the collapse of Yugoslavia is not recognized by many countries, including Russia, China, Spain, and Greece.

Ukraine

Being, according to the US CIA, the 39th economy in the world in 2011, today Ukraine has sharply lost ground. The revolution of 2014 and the sharp change had a huge impact on the issue of poverty. economic course.

The main problem of poverty, namely high levels of corruption, nevertheless persists. The IMF program aimed at economic balance in the country has caused poverty and increased migration rates. High tariffs for gas, water, and electricity have placed a heavy burden on the shoulders of Ukrainians. Over 5 years, the poverty level increased from 14% to 25%.

Prospects for poor countries

An economic breakthrough is typical for countries with a stable political system. It does not matter whether natural resource deposits are discovered on the territory. There is a lot of evidence for this fact:

development of South Korea;
Singapore's economic miracle;
example of the Republic of Seychelles.

There are prospects for changing the situation, but what methods will be used for this is another matter. In the case of rampant crime and frequent riots, ways to stop the violence may not be popular.

According to UN estimates, Angola and Vanuatu will leave the list of poor countries in the world in the coming years.

A person living in good conditions, it is difficult to imagine how low the standard of living could be in other places. Everyone has seen pictures of starving African children, but statistics tell a much better story. According to the US NSA, in 2004, about 24,000 people died from hunger every day in the world. In some places, large numbers of people live below the poverty line. The main indicator to assess the standard of living is GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per person. It shows the cost of everything produced in the country per year. This article provides a rating that includes poorest countries in the world with the lowest GDP per person.

10.

Capital: Antananarivo
Population (million people): 24.235
Official language: Malagasy, French
GDP: 1462$

Until 1960, this republic was a French colony. Then several coups and political crises occurred here, which did not have the best effect on the economy. A significant part of the population is employed in the agricultural sector and the textile industry. The country exports coffee, vanilla and essential oils. Thanks to the large number of unique animals, tourists from all over the world come here. IN recent years Madagascar began to develop mining. So it is possible that in the coming decades it will leave the list of the poorest countries in the world.

9.

Capital: Asmara
Population (million people): 6.086
Official language: English, Arabic, Tigrinya
GDP: 1297$

Eritrea is called Africa's North Korea. There is a dictator in power, and the economy is controlled by the party. The country has been subject to a number of UN sanctions for supporting Islamists in Somalia. Even military duty applies to the entire population, regardless of gender. To leave the army you must enroll in educational institution, otherwise the service life will be extended by two years. But even in this case, you will have to attend regular military training. Most of the country is closed to tourists, and some areas require special permission to visit. The population is mainly engaged in agriculture, but the country has very little fertile soil. Recently, fishing, poultry and dairy cattle breeding have begun to actively develop.

8.

Capital: Conakry
Population (million people): 11.176
Official language: French
GDP: 1214$

Guinea – clear example that a large amount of resources does not guarantee prosperity. It has the world's largest bauxite reserves, but still ranks among the world's poorest countries. Uranium, gold and other valuable materials are also mined here. But constant political instability does not allow the economy to develop properly. A quarter of the population works in agriculture, providing the country with rice, corn and cassava. Bananas, peanuts, and cocoa are mainly exported, including to Russia. The rest of the population works in industry. For the past 30 years, Guinea's economy has been undergoing restructuring under the leadership of the IMF.

7. Mozambique

Capital: Maputo
Population (million people): 25.728
Official language: Portuguese
GDP: 1186$

After gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique adopted communist rule and a poorly regulated centrally planned economy. Combined with the expulsion of the Portuguese from the country and agrarian reform, this set the country back in development and provoked a civil war that lasted until 1992. Today, the government is headed by a president elected for five years. Mozambique is showing good growth rates thanks to current stability and support from abroad. Most of the soil in this country is not used, despite the fact that the agricultural sector employs the largest percentage of the population.

6.

Capital: Lilongwe
Population (million people): 16.778
Official language: English
GDP: 1124$

Malawi has mineral reserves, but no one is exploiting them. About 90% of the country's residents work in agriculture. The industry is represented by enterprises processing tea, sugar and tobacco. More than 50% of Malawi citizens live below the poverty line. Like many of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has a high prevalence of diseases, including HIV. In terms of life expectancy, this country ranks one of the last in the world. Several years ago, President Joyce Banda decided to sell the aircraft and fleet purchased by his predecessor to help the poor.

5. Niger

Capital: Niamey
Population (million people): 23.471
Official language: French
GDP: 1080$

One of the main sources of income for this republic was the mining and sale of uranium. At one time, Niger ranked second in the world in this indicator. But in the 1980s, uranium prices fell sharply. This led to a decrease in the country's income and a decrease in the number of foreign specialists. Despite the fact that 90% of the country's population works in agriculture, it provides less than half of the total treasury income. This is due to the poor climate and the small amount of good soil. Millet is mainly grown.

4.

Capital: Monrovia
Population (million people): 4.294
Official language: English
GDP: 873$

About 85% of people in this country are unemployed, and one of the significant types of income is the registration of ships, popular due to low taxes. Two civil wars led to this situation. At the same time, the country has a large amount of resources, the extraction of which is at a very low level. Nigeria mainly supplies wood and rubber to other countries. It has good potential for tourism development, but at the moment people visit it reluctantly due to poor infrastructure and difficulties in obtaining a visa. So her place among the poorest in the world is well deserved.

3.

Capital: Bujumbura
Population (million people): 9.293
Official language: Rundi, French
GDP: 818$

Since independence, Burundi has experienced several coups d'état and attempted coups, ending in riots and killings. The country is lucky with natural resources, in particular soils. About half of the total land area is used in agriculture, generating a third of total income. A lot of livestock is raised in the country. But, since until recently the social status of a citizen in Burundi depended only on his quantity, animals have very low productivity indicators. For a long time, no one was involved in industry; only in 1998 did some enterprises begin to be restored. The listed negative factors do not allow the country to achieve great economic success, which naturally affects the standard of living of its citizens. Therefore, Burundi is among the three poorest countries in the world.

2. DRC

Capital: Kinshasa
Population (million people): 77.434
Official language: French
GDP: 770$

The Democratic Republic of Congo combines poverty with vast mineral reserves that are among the richest in the world. For a long time, the country simply did not care about their production due to numerous civil wars. In 2002, this area of the economy began to develop, with interested parties actively helping foreign countries. The country has very bad roads; it is easier to deliver goods to some areas from other countries than within the republic. Congo actively exports diamonds, gold, and cobalt.

1. Central African Republic

Capital: Bangui
Population (million people): 5.057
Official language: French, Sango
GDP: 630$

The fate of the Central African Republic is similar to many participants in the rating, only things here are even worse. The Central African Republic is the poorest country in the world. It is hampered by constant revolutions, coups and upheavals, most often provoked from the outside, from making a quiet living in agriculture and selling resources. Even between representatives of Christians and Muslims, clashes constantly occur in it. A huge part of the population survives only due to humanitarian aid. One of the types of income for some African countries is tourism. In the Central African Republic there is practically none. The country survives on agriculture, light industry and fishing. In terms of GDP per capita, it ranks last in the ranking of the poorest countries in the world.

Interesting:
The poorest country in Europe is Moldova(GDP: $5006)
The poorest country in Asia is Tajikistan(GDP: $2749)
The poorest country in the European Union is Bulgaria(GDP: $19,097)
According to data for 2015-2016.

The video shows the average monthly income of the population for each of the countries included in the rating.

Africa is a rapidly developing region. However, on this huge continent there are practically no countries that would have any significant influence on the rest of the world. More often they mention the poor, who for several centuries have not been able to move their development from a dead point. Almost half of the continent's total population lives on less than a dollar a day. Political instability and ongoing wars have made life extremely difficult for many people. In today's article we will look at the poorest countries in Africa in terms of gross domestic product per capita (as classified by the International Monetary Fund) and analyze the development prospects for the region.

General overview of the farm

Africa's economy includes trade, industry, agriculture and human capital. As of 2012, approximately 1 billion people live here. There are 54 states on the continent. Twelve of them are characterized by the International Monetary Fund as poor countries in Africa. However, the continent has great development potential due to its rich resource base. The countries' nominal GDP is US$1.8 trillion. Recent growth has been driven by increased trade in goods and services. Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP is expected to reach US$25 trillion by 2050. Income inequality will be a major constraint on the distribution of wealth. However, today the majority of countries on the continent are poor African countries. According to the World Bank forecast, the situation may change by 2025, when income per person in them will reach $1,000 per year. Much hope is placed on the younger generation. All experts recognize the importance of investing in the region’s social resource.

The poorest countries in Africa

In terms of GDP per capita (in US dollars), the following countries occupied the lowest positions in 2014:

Malawi - 255.
Burundi - 286.
Central African Republic - 358.
Niger - 427.
Gambia - 441.
Democratic Republic of the Congo - 442.
Madagascar - 449.
Liberia - 458.
Guinea - 540.
Somalia - 543.
Guinea-Bissau - 568.
Ethiopia - 573.
Mozambique - 586.
Togo - 635.
Rwanda - 696.
Mali - 705.
Burkina Faso - 713.
Uganda - 715.
Sierra Leone - 766.
Comoros - 810.
Benin - 904.
Zimbabwe - 931.
Tanzania - 955.

As you can see, Somalia closes the top ten poorest. The country only occupied the first position in this ranking a few years ago, but now its GDP is gradually growing. Tanzania closes the list. There are a total of 24 countries on the list. All other countries on the African continent have a GDP per capita of more than $1,000. Let's look at some countries from the list above.

Malawi

This state is located in Southeast Asia. Malawi is the country with the lowest GDP in the world. More than half of its residents live below the poverty line. Like many other countries in Africa, corruption in public and private institutions is widespread in Malawi. The majority of the national budget comes from foreign aid. About 35% of GDP comes from agriculture, 19% from industry, and 46% from the service sector. The main export items are tobacco, tea, cotton, coffee, and the main import items are food products, petroleum products and cars. Malawi's trading partners are Egypt, Zimbabwe, India, China and the USA.

Burundi

This state is known for the ongoing civil wars on its territory. In its entire history there has hardly been one long period of peace. This could not but affect the economy. The country of Burundi is second on the list. Besides constant wars, it is talked about in connection with the spread of HIV/AIDS, corruption and nepotism. About 80% of the population of this state live below the poverty line.

Central African Republic

This state was unstable politically and economically since the beginning of its independence. Central African Republic is rich mineral resources, however, remains on the list of the poorest. The country exports diamonds. This article provides 45-55% of income. The country is also rich in uranium, gold and oil. Yet more than half of the people in the Central African Republic live below the poverty line. Main industry national economy is agriculture and forest industry. The main trading partners of the Central African Republic are Japan, South Korea, France, Belgium and China.

Niger

About 80% of the territory of this state lies in the Sahara Desert. Niger is a politically unstable state where corruption and crime are rampant. The situation of women remains disastrous. The advantage of Niger's economy is its huge uranium reserves. There are also oil and gas deposits here. Weak side there remains a huge dependence on foreign aid. The country has poorly developed infrastructure, the political situation remains unstable, and the climate is poor with frequent droughts. The main branch of the national economy is agriculture. The uranium mining industry is also developing. The country has the lowest level

Liberia

This state is a unique place on the African continent. It's all about his story. The country of Liberia was founded by African Americans freed from slavery. Therefore, its system of government is very similar to that of the United States. About 85% of this country's population lives below the poverty line. Their daily income is less than $1. This deplorable state of the economy is due to wars and political instability.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

This state is the largest in the world. However, at the same time, it is one of the poorest countries on the globe. The most terrible event in history was the second Democratic War, which began back in 1998. This is precisely the main reason for such low economic development.

Madagascar

This island is located in the Indian Ocean, 250 miles from the southeastern coast of Africa. The landmass is about 1,580 km long and 570 km in Madagascar. Africa as a continent includes this island in its composition. The main industries of Madagascar are farming, fishing and hunting. The island's population of 22 million people, 90% of people live on less than two dollars a day.

Ethiopia

As we already mentioned, one of the fastest growing regions in the world is Africa. Ethiopia is one of those countries whose economic growth rate is the highest. However, it still remains one of the poorest countries on the continent and in the world. About 30% of the population lives on a dollar a day or less. However, Ethiopia has significant development potential in the agricultural sector. Today, the majority of the population are small farmers. Small farms are particularly affected by fluctuations in global markets, droughts and other natural disasters. It should be noted that just a few years ago Ethiopia topped the list of poorest countries. That's why current situation shows significant improvement over the past.

Togo

This state is located in West Africa. Its population is about 6.7 million people. The main branch of the economy is agriculture. Most of the population works in this sector. A significant part of exports are cocoa, coffee, and cotton. Togo is rich in minerals and is the largest phosphate producer in the world.

Sierra Leone

The economy of this state is based on diamond mining. They make up the majority of exports. Sierra Leone is the largest producer of titanium and bauxite, as well as gold. However, more than 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. Corruption and crime are rampant in the state. Most transactions in foreign trade carried out only through giving and receiving bribes.

Causes of underdevelopment and prospects

The current growth problems of the African continent are difficult to explain using modern economic theories. The reasons for the plight of the majority of the population include constant hostilities, instability, widespread corruption and despotic regimes in most countries. The Cold War between the USA and the USSR also played a role in the emergence of current problems. Today, the poor remain a hotbed of underdevelopment. And they pose a threat to the whole world, since high social differentiation always leads to increased conflict international relations. The appalling poverty here is combined with an unfavorable situation in the fields of education and health care. IN GDP structure Africa is dominated by inefficient agriculture and extractive industries. And these are industries with low added value that cannot provide a breakthrough in the development of these countries. In addition, most African states are the largest debtors. Therefore, they do not have the resources to carry out active national policy aimed at developing its own economy. Corruption at all levels is a huge problem. Over the years of independence of these countries, it has become a tradition. Most trade transactions are carried out only on the condition of paying a bribe. However, gradually, thanks to foreign programs, the situation begins to improve. Over the past decade, African economies have shown stable growth. It continued even during the world financial crisis. Therefore, the continent's potential is perceived by many economists with increasing optimism.

Development prospects

Africa has huge reserves of natural resources. It is also the continent with the highest proportion of young people. Many experts believe that high economic growth can be achieved by investing in the education of the new generation. With the right policies, Africa can become one of the most productive regions. Gradually it is no longer considered a hopeless continent. Thanks regarding stable performance growth, global actors have a desire to influence African markets and promote their brands here. However, so far most states in this region remain weak trading partners. They are heavily dependent on energy sales. Only 4% of Africans live on $10 a day. It is expected that the situation may change radically by 2050. By this time, most countries should enter the category of upper-middle income countries. An important factor future success is to strengthen the middle class. Great value have foreign investment projects in technology, education and healthcare. It is expected that by 2060, 99% of the population will be covered by broadband Internet. The young generation is the hope of the continent. The future of Africa depends on the success of their education.

Have you ever tried to find out which are the poorest countries in the world?

The wealth or poverty of a nation can be measured in several ways, but the most commonly used method is to classify them by gross domestic product (GDP), by purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita. It basically refers to the value of all goods and services that are produced by a particular country in a particular year, divided by the average population of the country for that same year. And this is what we use to create our list. The lower a country's GDP per capita, the poorer it is, and vice versa.

10 poorest countries in the world

Currently there are 195 countries in the world. Today we are going to find out which ones are the poorest. This list was presented by the International Monetary Fund in 2017, and all figures are in Geary-Khamis dollars, which is also known as the international dollar.

So, we present the 10 poorest countries in the world.

Comoros

Let's start our list at number 10 with Comoros, where the GDP per capita is $1,560.

Comoros is the 171st largest and 159th most populous country in the world. Moroni is the capital of this country. This relatively new African country gained independence from France in 1975.

The volcanic archipelago, consisting of three large islands and numerous other small ones, has a diverse culture and history, having formed at the crossroads of different civilizations.

Comoros is the world's largest producer of ylang-ylang. In addition, it is also the world's second largest producer of vanilla.

The most important attractions in the Comoros Islands are the Moheli Marine Park, Mount Karthala, the National Documentation Center and scientific research, Cartal Forest, Palais Royale de la Grande Comoros and others.

Madagascar

This African nation, which gained independence from France in 1960, is the 46th largest and 51st most populous country in the world. Antananarivo is its capital.

Madagascar is home to a variety of wildlife, nearly half the world's chameleons, 90% of the world's lemurs and Madagascar's famous hissing cockroaches.

Madagascar was once a paradise for pirates, largely due to its secluded coves and the absence of European invaders for centuries.

Madagascar attractions include Avenue of the Baobabs, Amber Mountain National Park, Isalo National Park, Ranomafana National Park and others.

Eritrea

Coming in at number 8 on our list of the world's 10 poorest countries is Eritrea, with a GDP per capita of $1,434.

Eritrea is the 99th largest and 118th most populous country in the world. The capital is Asmara.

After decades of fighting for its independence, Eritrea finally gained it in 1993. About 40% of its freedom fighters are women. The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) has the most large percentage women than any other liberation army in the world.

It is home to some of the rarest coral species on the planet.

All local media in this African country are owned by the state. Naturally, Eritrea was named the country with the least press freedom in global index freedom of the press. Additionally, Human Rights Watch has described the country's human rights as some of the worst in the world.

Famous sights of Eritrea: National Museum of Eritrea, Impero Cinema, Adulis, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Asmara and others.

Mozambique

Number 7 on our list is Mozambique with a GDP per capita of $1,266.

The 35th largest and 48th most populous country in the world, Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. However, after recognition it was marred by an intense civil war from 1977 to 1992. And only since 1994 it became a stable presidential republic.

The capital is the city of Maputo. Despite the fact that this African nation is currently poor, according to experts, it will become one of the most fast growing countries in the world.

Mozambique's wildlife is some of the richest and most diverse on earth. Among its famous attractions are Gorongosa National Park, Lake Malawi, Mozambique Island, Quirimbas Islands and others.

Malawi

Number 6 on our list is Malawi with a GDP per capita of US$1,172.

It is the 98th largest and 64th most populous country in the world. Malawi gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.

A huge range of cultural and religious beliefs can be seen in the country due to its diverse population of natives, Europeans and Asians.

One of its lakes, Lake Malawi, is home to more species of fish than any other lake on earth. The clear skies above the lake also provide excellent views of the stars. This lake also occupies more than one fifth total area countries.

The World Happiness Report for the period 2015–2017 ranked Malawi as the 10th unhappiest country in the world. The country's high prevalence of HIV/AIDS has cast a shadow over its economy.

Attractions in this African country include Liwonde National Park, Nyika National Park, Lake Malawi National Park, Chongoni Rock Art and others.

Niger

The top five in the list of the 10 poorest countries in the world is Niger with a GDP per capita of $1,153.

Niger gained independence from France in 1960. Niamey is the capital of this African country. It is the 21st largest and 57th most populous country in the world.

Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. The country is landlocked and almost 80% of the land is dry.

The Niger River, one of the largest rivers in the world, is also one of the cleanest rivers in the world.

Niger is also home to the world's largest uranium deposits.

Famous attractions include the Agadez Mosque, the Great Mosque of Niamey, Lake Chad, the Eyre and Tenere National Nature Reserve.

Liberia

Coming fourth on our list is Liberia, with a per capita GDP of $867.

Liberia was the first African republic to declare its independence, which it did in 1847. It is also the first and oldest modern republic Africa. The country largely traces its origins to the American Colonization Society (ACS) settlement, which believed that freedom for blacks could be achieved more in Africa than in the United States.

It is the 102nd largest and 125th most populous nation in the world. Monrovia is the capital of Liberia.

Despite the fact that the country is only 170 years old, the average age of citizens is one of the youngest in the world - 17.9 years. Has the second largest merchant fleet of ships in the world.

Liberia's 24th President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who served from 2006 to 2018, is Africa's first female president.

The World Happiness Report for the period 2015-2017 ranked Malawi as the eighth most unhappy country in the world. Almost 85% of its population lives below the international poverty line. A military coup in the 1980s and the recent Ebola epidemic have threatened the country's economic position.

Among the important attractions of Liberia are Sapo National Park, National Museum of Liberia, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Richard Molard and others.

Burundi

Burundi is among the three poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of $808.

Burundi is the 143rd largest and 85th most populous country in the world. Bujumbura is the capital. Gained independence from Belgium in 1962.

The vast majority of its population lives in rural areas, with only 13% living in urban areas. Human trafficking and child labor are widespread in the country.

The World Happiness Report for the period 2015-2017 ranks Malawi as the unhappiest country in the world.

Among its famous attractions are the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, Lake Tanganyika, Rusizi National Park, Kibira National Park and others.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Number 2 on our list is the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a GDP per capita of $785.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the 11th largest and 17th most populous country in the world. Gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Kinshasa is the capital.

There are more than 1,130 bird species in the state, more than in any other African country.

Congo is known for recruiting children into its army. Only 10% of its population has access to electricity, and only 1.8% of its roads are paved. On the other hand, it is one of the richest natural resources countries of the world, among which there is a lot of tin, gold, and tungsten.

Witchcraft is widespread in the country and children are often accused, often beaten, killed or abandoned on the streets.

The attractions of this African nation are Lake Kivu, Mount Nyiragongo, Virunga National Park, Lake Tanganyika and others.

Central African Republic

Today, the poorest country in the world is the Central African Republic, with a per capita GDP of $681.

It is the 44th largest nation in the world and the 123rd most populous nation in the world. Bangui serves as the capital. The republic gained independence from France in 1960.

The country was named the unhealthiest country and was rated as the worst place to live in for its young population.

However, the Central African Republic is home to many endemic species such as the skink, Sangha wood robin, Sternfeld river frog, Oubangui mouse and others.

The World Happiness Report 2015-2017 ranks Malawi as the second most unhappy country in the world. The country also has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, with only 36.8% of its population able to read.

The attractions of this African nation are the Nuabale-Ndoki National Park, the Janga-Sangha Special Reserve, the Manowo-Gunda St. Floris National Park and others.

So, as you can see, the 10 poorest countries in the world are all from Africa. No Asian, European, North American, South American or Australian country is even close to it. We hope that these countries will receive assistance from various international organizations. And we must help them in every possible way on their path to development. In the end, creation better world should be an idea for everyone.

The standard of living differs in different countries: in some it is too high, in others, on the contrary, it is very low. But many people don’t even realize how poor countries can be. According to the UN, about 25,000 people die every day from hunger, most of them children. Almost 1 billion people on the planet live on just $1 a day, and the daily income of 2.5 billion people is only $2.

The poorest country in the world in 2020 is in Africa - the Central African Republic (CAR). It occupies a leading position in the number of AIDS cases and has a meager GDP indicator per capita - $542.

Within the United Nations, the title used for poor countries is “least developed countries" Obtaining LDC status gives some privileges: states are provided with technical assistance, financial assistance on preferential terms, access to markets. To be included in the list of backward countries, the GDP per capita must be $750.

In addition to GDP, indicators such as nutrition, health, education, and literacy of the population are taken into account. In 1971, the list of LDCs included 24 countries; in 2011, the number of poor countries increased to 48. To get out of this dismal list, it is necessary to increase the GDP indicator to $900. Only ten states managed to do this, and they were included in the list of developing ones.

It would seem, what prevents residents of poor countries from improving their living conditions? In most cases, the cause of the troubles of these states is civil and external wars, climatic conditions, corruption, external debts, low level of medicine and education. The world's poorest countries are in dire need of help to improve their living standards even slightly.

10 poorest countries in the world 2019-2020

In total, there are 48 poorest countries in the world, and the vast majority on this list are poor countries in Africa: residents of 33 countries live below the extreme poverty line. 14 poor countries are in Asia and Oceania and one state - Haiti - in Latin America.

Based on data from the International Monetary Fund on GDP per capita at PPP (this characteristic is considered the most accurate for determining economic development) from 2019, the 10 poorest countries in the world are identified:

10th place - Togolese Republic, GDP - $1084

The state, which was once a French colony, is located in western Africa. The basis of the economy is crop production and the extraction of marble and phosphorites for export. The country is inhabited by the tsetse fly, so livestock farming is poorly developed.

There is not enough in the republic medical institutions, doctors. The incidence of tuberculosis, malaria, and fever is high. The number of AIDS patients is growing rapidly every year - 3.5% of the population is infected with this terrible disease. More than 35% of residents live in poverty and squalor.

9th place - Madagascar, GDP - $970

A state located on a unique island, which ranks 4th in size on the planet with a population of more than 20 million people, although it belongs to developing countries, nevertheless included in the list of poor countries in the world.

The main sectors of the economy are livestock farming, fishing and growing spices for export. Due to locust attacks, farmers suffer significant losses almost every year.

Madagascar is the largest producer of vanilla in the world. There is a version that the Coca-Cola company's transition from natural vanilla to synthetic vanilla seriously hit the island's economy.

Tourism is developing in Madagascar. The island is home to about 10,000 species of unique animals and plants. Only here you can see lemurs and a variety of chameleons that feel at ease in the parks.

Most of them are in danger of extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitat.

The standard of living in the country is quite low. In many villages there is neither electricity nor water supply, and there is no need to even talk about televisions and computers. The average woman has at least 5 children. There is a plague outbreak on the island. Malaria is widespread along the east coast.

8th place - Republic of Malawi, GDP - $879

More than half the population of the east African country lives in poverty and cannot read. The main economic sector is agriculture. Tobacco, sugar, tea, and peanuts are grown for export. There are deposits of minerals: uranium, coal and bauxite, but they are practically not developed.

The situation in healthcare is deplorable. There is one doctor for every 17,000 people. Almost every child under 5 years of age is underweight. In 2015, the number of people infected with AIDS amounted to more than 1.6 million people.

Out of 1000 babies born, 84 babies die. Unsanitary conditions, lack of food, and miserable living conditions do not stop the women of Malawi. Each has at least 5-6 children.

7th place - Republic of Niger, GDP - $829

Niger, which is always swelteringly hot, consistently ranks among the poorest countries. Very often it is confused with Nigeria, but this is absolutely different countries. The economy depends on help from other states.

The main source of income is agriculture, which employs 90% of the population. Only 3% of the land is cultivated; the remaining soils are unsuitable. In 1958, uranium deposits were discovered, Niger ranked 2nd in mineral extraction. The uranium crisis in the 80s had a negative impact on the country's uranium industry.

Not in the country railways, only 28% can read and write. Less than 25% of children attend school. Half the population suffers from chronic malnutrition. Lack of drinking water causes a surge in infectious diseases. Almost 1% of the population is HIV infected.

The country ranks 3rd in terms of infant mortality rate. 115 babies out of 1000 die. Niger has the most high level fertility. A woman gives birth 7-8 times.

6th place - Zimbabwe, GDP - $788

The cause of the disasters of the African state was land reform. In January 2009, the country broke the world record for inflation ─ 321,000,000%. Banknotes with a face value of 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollars were in circulation. With this money you could buy several eggs. Now such banknotes are sold to collectors and tourists.

5th place - Eritrea, GDP - $707

Eritrea ranks 5th. The state is located on the coast of the Red Sea. For a long time the country was an Italian colony, and in the 50s of the last century it was annexed to Ethiopia.

The War of Independence lasted more than 30 years. As a result of hostilities, the economy was completely destroyed.

In ancient times, this territory was called nothing less than “Land of the Gods.” Eritrea could be a worthy competitor to Egypt and Greece, because it has enormous potential for the development of tourism: the unique nature and underwater world of the Red Sea, historical monuments, catacomb cities. Alas, as a result of military actions, a significant part of the historical heritage was destroyed.

About 80% of the population is involved in agriculture, developing livestock farming and fishing. There is an acute shortage of clean fresh water in the country, which makes people susceptible to intestinal infections. Another big problem of the country is illiteracy: only 60% of the population can read and write.

4th place - Liberia, GDP ─ $703

Two civil wars, which lasted a total of 10 years, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and practically destroyed the country's economy. According to statistics, about 90% of Liberians live on $1.3 per day.

Unemployment is rampant in the country. One of the sources of income is duties on merchant ships for using the flag of Liberia. Previously, there were exports of coffee, timber, and diamonds.

3rd place - Democratic Republic of the Congo, GDP - $648

Previously, the state was known as Zaire, because the Republic of Congo is located next door, and the two countries are often confused. In 2012, according to the DRC's IMF, Congo was the poorest country in the world.

In 2020, much remains the same. 5.4 million people died during the fighting in the Congo. The war involved the armies of 7 different states, and the death toll sometimes amounted to more than 40,000 people per day.

Almost 70% of the population suffers from hunger. Congo is perhaps one of the few remaining places on Earth where cannibal tribes exist. Eating people is one of the ways to survive in the country. The country is home to 71 million people, 4.1% are infected with HIV. Local residents believe that you can be cured of your illness by spending the night with a virgin.

Therefore, Congo is considered the most dangerous place in the world for women: the country ranks first in the number of rapes.

2nd place - Burundi, GDP - $642

We can say that this is the poorest country. Main reason plight ─ constant wars. 50% of the territory is arable land and 36% is pasture. The main products for export are coffee and tea. The bulk of the population is involved in agriculture, industry is very poorly developed.

More than half of Burundians live in poverty. Children suffer from underweight. Due to a shortage of medicines and medical personnel, outbreaks of cholera and meningitis periodically occur, and deaths are common. There is only one university in the country, more than half of the population is not literate.

Burundi has no railways, almost no paved roads, and only 20,000 cars. Mobile phone─ this is luxury. Out of 1000 inhabitants, only 20 people have cell phone, and only 5 are happy owners of a computer.