The poorest countries in the world in 2025 face extreme economic challenges that go far beyond low national income. Understanding global poverty requires more than just looking at a country’s total wealth. While some nations generate billions in economic output, large populations and high living costs can mask the harsh realities on the ground. In this article, we explore the 9 poorest countries based on GDP per capita (Purchasing Power Parity – PPP) — a more accurate measure of how much individuals can actually buy with their income.
Here is how we ranked the poorest countries
To assess economic well-being, experts use GDP per capita, which divides a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by its population. However, GDP alone doesn’t account for variations in living costs and inflation across countries. That’s where Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) comes in — it adjusts GDP per capita to reflect the true cost of living and purchasing power within each country.
This ranking uses GDP per capita at PPP to identify countries where citizens face the most extreme economic hardships.
1. South Sudan 🇸🇸
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GDP-PPP per capita: $455
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, tragically tops the list as the poorest country in the world in 2025. Since achieving independence from Sudan in 2011, the nation has been engulfed in civil war, ethnic violence, and chronic political instability. These deep-rooted conflicts have shattered infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, and led to a collapsed economy.
Despite being rich in oil resources, mismanagement and corruption have prevented these revenues from benefiting the broader population. Instead, over 60% of South Sudan’s 15 million people now rely on humanitarian aid to survive. Food insecurity is rampant, with millions suffering from malnutrition, lack of access to clean water, and inadequate healthcare services.
With widespread displacement, collapsed education systems, and high inflation, South Sudan remains trapped in a cycle of poverty. Without urgent global intervention, the situation threatens to worsen for future generations.
2. Burundi 🇧🇮
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GDP-PPP per capita: $916
Burundi ranks as the second poorest country in the world in 2025, burdened by decades of civil war, ethnic conflict, and political instability. This small, landlocked East African nation is one of the most densely populated countries in the region, yet it lacks the natural resources needed to support such a rapidly growing population.
The economy relies heavily on subsistence agriculture, employing over 90% of the population, yet it contributes little to economic growth due to poor soil, outdated techniques, and climate vulnerability. An estimated 70% of Burundians live without electricity, and nearly half face chronic food insecurity.
Access to education, clean water, and healthcare remains alarmingly limited. Combined with high inflation, weak governance, and poor infrastructure, Burundi’s path to economic recovery remains uncertain without substantial international aid and long-term development programs.
3. Central African Republic 🇨🇫
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,123
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a striking paradox — a country abundant in valuable natural resources like diamonds, gold, oil, and uranium, yet ranks among the top three poorest countries in the world in 2025. Despite this natural wealth, the nation remains deeply impoverished due to decades of armed conflict, political instability, and ineffective governance.
Over 80% of the population lives below the poverty line, relying on subsistence farming or informal trade to survive. Large portions of the country are controlled by militias and rebel groups, rendering the central government’s authority weak and ineffective.
The ongoing instability has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis. Without peace and institutional reform, the CAR’s economic potential remains tragically out of reach.
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 🇨🇩
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,552
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most resource-rich countries on Earth, holding vast reserves of cobalt, copper, gold, and coltan — critical minerals for the global tech and green energy industries. Yet in a cruel twist, it ranks as the fourth poorest country in the world in 2025.
Over 60% of its 100+ million population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day. The country remains trapped in a cycle of violent conflict, corruption, and political instability, especially in its eastern regions where armed groups fight for control of valuable mining areas.
Healthcare is underfunded, and millions lack access to basic education, clean water, and electricity. Despite strong GDP growth driven by mining exports, the wealth rarely reaches the general population — highlighting the stark inequality at the heart of the DRC’s ongoing crisis.
5. Mozambique 🇲🇿
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,649
Mozambique, a coastal nation in southeastern Africa, holds vast potential with its rich reserves of natural gas, coal, and minerals, as well as fertile land and a growing population. However, in 2025, it remains the fifth poorest country in the world, as deep-rooted challenges continue to hold back development.
The country is grappling with widening inequality, and much of its rural population lives in extreme poverty, lacking access to clean water, electricity, and adequate shelter. In the north, Islamist insurgencies have displaced thousands and threatened economic projects, particularly in gas-rich Cabo Delgado.
Mozambique is also one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Frequent cyclones, floods, and droughts have devastated infrastructure and agricultural productivity. Despite international investment and promising GDP growth forecasts, the benefits have yet to trickle down to ordinary citizens, leaving millions behind.
6. Niger 🇳🇪
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,675
Niger, a vast and landlocked country in West Africa, ranks as the sixth poorest country in the world in 2025. With over 80% of its land covered by the Sahara Desert, Niger faces intense challenges from climate change, frequent droughts, and rapid desertification, all of which threaten its already fragile agricultural sector.
The population is growing at one of the fastest rates globally, placing immense pressure on limited resources. Over 40% of Nigeriens live in extreme poverty, and food insecurity affects millions annually. Basic services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure remain critically underdeveloped, especially in rural areas.
Recent military coups and the ongoing threat of extremist violence from groups like Boko Haram have further destabilized the country. International sanctions and reduced aid in the wake of political turmoil have only deepened Niger’s economic and humanitarian crisis.
7. Malawi 🇲🇼
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,712
Often referred to as the “Warm Heart of Africa” for its friendly people and breathtaking landscapes, Malawi is also among the poorest countries in the world in 2025, ranking seventh on the global poverty list. Despite its natural beauty, Malawi faces profound development challenges.
The nation’s economy is heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, making it extremely vulnerable to droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns driven by climate change. These environmental shocks frequently devastate crops and contribute to widespread food insecurity, particularly in rural areas.
An ongoing economic crisis has triggered soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and fuel shortages, putting additional pressure on households. Healthcare, education, and access to clean water remain limited for a significant portion of the population. With over 70% living below the international poverty line, Malawi’s path forward depends on long-term investment in resilience, agriculture, and infrastructure.
8. Liberia 🇱🇷
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,882
Liberia, Africa’s oldest republic, ranks as the eighth poorest country in the world in 2025, still grappling with the devastating legacies of two brutal civil wars (1989–2003) and the Ebola epidemic of 2014. These crises not only claimed lives but also shattered the nation’s economy, health systems, and infrastructure.
Although Liberia has made strides in democratic governance, including peaceful transfers of power, the country remains plagued by widespread poverty, unemployment, and economic stagnation. Over 50% of Liberians live below the poverty line, struggling to access basic needs like healthcare, clean water, and education.
The nation’s infrastructure is underdeveloped, especially outside the capital, and opportunities for employment are scarce. With a young and growing population, Liberia’s recovery depends on investment in education, economic diversification, and sustained international support to break the cycle of poverty.
9. Madagascar 🇲🇬
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GDP-PPP per capita: $1,979
Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island and a treasure trove of biodiversity and natural resources, ranks as the ninth poorest country in the world in 2025. Despite its wealth in minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and ilmenite—and its global appeal as a travel destination—millions of Malagasy citizens continue to live in deep poverty.
The country’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which is repeatedly devastated by natural disasters such as cyclones, droughts, and floods. These climate events regularly destroy crops, displace communities, and damage vital infrastructure.
Political instability, marked by contested elections and power struggles, continues to erode public trust and hinder development. Inflation remains high, and access to quality healthcare, education, and employment is limited. With nearly 75% of the population living below the poverty line, Madagascar remains a nation with great potential, yet enormous socioeconomic challenges.
Final Thoughts
The 9 poorest countries in 2025 reveal a common thread: conflict, political instability, weak infrastructure, and environmental vulnerability. While many of these nations are rich in resources, corruption, governance failures, and external shocks have prevented wealth from reaching the wider population.
Understanding the complex causes behind poverty is essential for crafting sustainable development policies and humanitarian efforts. Addressing these issues requires global cooperation, local leadership, and long-term investment in health, education, and peace-building.
