The World’s 10 Poorest Countries

Poverty persists in some countries, leading to ongoing reliance on humanitarian aid. Factors like dictatorships and violence hinder economic recovery and improvements in quality of life. But what are the poorest countries in the world? The list below reveals the top 10 poorest nations.

1. Central African Republic

Despite being abundant in gold, diamonds, and oil, the Central African Republic has been plagued by wars and power abuses since gaining independence from France in 1960. Religious conflicts have also emerged, with Muslims and Christians clashing since 2012. The population has shifted to rural areas, while urban residents endure squalid conditions. The Central African Republic also suffers from alarming statistics: the third-highest infant mortality rate, widespread malnutrition, and the world’s lowest life expectancy at just 52.9 years.

2. South Sudan

South Sudan has been plagued by violence since its creation in 2011. Just like the Central African Republic, the country has rich oil reserves. Nevertheless, it is marked by political divisions, inequality, corruption, and warfare. Most of its 15 million inhabitants rely on traditional agriculture, but violence and extreme weather often disrupt farming activities. Every year, millions of people in South Sudan require humanitarian aid.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is located in Central Africa. Like many other countries in the region, it’s rich in natural resources, including minerals like copper, diamonds, and gold. However, this wealth fuels ongoing civil wars, resulting in high casualties and preventing stable governance. Corruption and a fragile healthcare system are major issues, leading to chronic infant mortality.

4. Burundi

The ethnic civil war in Burundi started in 1994 and lasted 12 years, pitting the minority Tutsi against the majority Hutu. This conflict worsened the country’s economic and social fragility. 60% of Burundi’s population is illiterate, and pregnant women face high mortality rates. Moreover, only 12% of the population has access to electricity.

5. Malawi 

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries with a very high infant mortality rate. In fact, one in eight children dies before age five. Not to mention that a large number of people are HIV-positive. Today, Malawi is facing an economic crisis marked by fuel shortages, soaring food prices, and a sharp currency devaluation. Agriculture is the main livelihood, but hunger remains a leading cause of death in the country.

6. Niger

In Niger, only 16% of the population has access to electricity, with the rest living in rural areas or urban slums. While the country is rich in oil, the large facilities haven’t benefited locals, leading to significant air pollution. Moreover, Niger faces the threat of desertification, with 80% of its landlocked territory covered by the Sahara Desert and a growing population relying on small-scale agriculture.

7. Mozambique

This Southern African country, formerly a Portuguese colony, gained independence in 1975. Like many ex-colonies, it endured long civil wars. Despite recent natural gas discoveries, ongoing conflict keeps life expectancy below 60 years. Moreover, there’s a high HIV rate among those aged 15 to 49.

8. Sierra Leone

Ravaged by a devastating civil war initiated by the Revolutionary United Front and numerous coups in the 1990s, Sierra Leone faces dire poverty. Corruption is rampant, and the country suffered from the Ebola pandemic, exacerbating living conditions and mortality rates, especially among infants. Currently, life expectancy in Sierra Leone is just 52.2 years.

9. Madagascar

Formerly a French colony, Madagascar gained independence in 1960 but has since faced frequent coups, bringing destruction and violence. Most people work in agriculture. Nevertheless, half the population is suffering from chronic malnutrition and living in poor conditions in slums. Naturally, the country has endured challenges like cyclones, droughts, epidemics, and earthquakes in the last three decades.

10. Gambia

Gambia is politically stable but remains one of the poorest due to limited natural resources. Despite the end of a decades-long dictatorship, transitioning to democracy has been tough. While agriculture is the mainstay, much of the population lacks electricity and lives in slums, with many seeking better opportunities by emigrating to the West.