Nigeria Missing as South Sudan, Burundi Top List of Poorest African Countries by GDP Per Capita

In 2024, economic inequalities persist globally, with several nations facing substantial challenges in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. While GDP per capita is a common metric, adjusting for variations in living costs and inflation rates through purchasing power parity (PPP) provides a more accurate measure of an individual’s purchasing power within a country.

According to a previous report by Legit.ng, several countries have been identified as having the poorest populations globally. Data from Global Finance highlights the top 10 countries with the lowest GDP per capita, offering insights into the economic circumstances that define their standings in the international arena.

Here is a ranking of the ten poorest countries, starting from the tenth and moving to the poorest country in the world for 2024:

10. Somalia
– GDP: $10.42 billion
– Population: 17.6 million
– Somalia has faced recurring crises over the past few decades, including severe droughts, conflict, widespread hunger, and fragile governance. About 70% of Somalis live below the poverty line, and 90% experience “multidimensional poverty,” which includes low income, limited education access, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite slight GDP growth averaging around 2% annually in recent years, per capita GDP has declined by approximately 0.8% annually.

9. Madagascar
– GDP: $16.77 billion
– Population: 25.6 million
– Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Madagascar has experienced multiple political crises and military coups. The current constitution, established in 2014, has brought relative political stability. Despite being rich in natural resources, internal instability and external interference hinder the full utilization of these resources. Mining and tourism are significant contributors to its GDP.

8. Liberia
– GDP: $4.59 billion
– Population: 5,492,486
– Liberia’s enduring poverty is fueled by violent conflicts, such as civil wars and Ebola outbreaks, leading to unstable infrastructure and limited services. Forced migration disrupts agricultural activities, contributing to food insecurity. Organizations like the World Food Programme focus on sustainable development, education, and healthcare investments to address these issues and enhance the country’s future.

7. Malawi
– GDP: $11.04 billion
– Population: 21,390,465
– Malawi, located in southeastern Africa, faces significant economic challenges despite its scenic landscapes. The nation’s heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change and volatile commodity prices. However, the government is committed to diversifying the economy, enhancing education and healthcare, and alleviating poverty.

6. Niger
– GDP: $19.54 billion
– Population: 27,844,740
– Niger, a landlocked nation in West Africa, faces significant poverty and economic challenges due to limited natural resources, frequent droughts, and an economy heavily dependent on agriculture. With 80% of its landmass covered by the Sahara Desert and a growing population reliant on small-scale farming, desertification poses a substantial threat.

5. Mozambique
– GDP: $23.96 billion
– Population: 34,497,736
– Mozambique, a resource-rich nation and former Portuguese colony, faces persistent poverty despite experiencing strong GDP growth. The country contends with natural disasters, disease, rapid population growth, low agricultural productivity, and significant wealth inequality. Attacks by Islamic insurgent groups in the gas-rich northern region further exacerbate Mozambique’s economic problems.

4. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
– GDP: $15.42 billion
– Population: 104,354,615
– Despite being the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and possessing abundant natural resources such as cobalt and copper, the DRC faces significant economic struggles. Approximately 62% of its population lives on less than $2.15 per day. Pervasive poverty is exacerbated by malnutrition, limited access to education and healthcare, and high fertility rates.

3. Central African Republic (CAR)
– GDP: $3 billion
– Population: 5,849,358
– The Central African Republic encounters significant economic difficulties due to political instability, armed conflicts, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite being rich in resources such as gold, oil, uranium, and diamonds, the country suffers from pervasive poverty. The war in Ukraine has increased the cost of essential goods, while extreme weather events like floods and droughts have exacerbated CAR’s economic challenges.

2. Burundi
– GDP: $3.06 billion
– Population: 13,459,236
– Burundi, a small landlocked nation in East Africa, grapples with significant socio-economic issues. Development is hindered by political instability, conflicts, and inadequate infrastructure. The country’s rapid population growth intensifies its economic difficulties, with approximately 80% of its citizens depending on subsistence farming, resulting in widespread food insecurity.

1. South Sudan
– GDP: $25.83 billion
– Population: 11,205,383
– Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced significant economic challenges. Political instability, continuous conflicts, and inadequate infrastructure have greatly impeded its development. The majority of its 11 million inhabitants depend on traditional agriculture, but recurring violence and extreme weather events disrupt farming activities, thereby sustaining widespread poverty.

Kayode Ogunaike, a social commentator, explains that the dominance of African countries in the list of the world’s poorest nations is due to a combination of historical, economic, and political factors. Colonial exploitation stripped the continent of resources and left a legacy of weak institutions. Post-independence, many African nations faced political instability, corruption, and conflicts, hindering development. Economic challenges such as heavy debt burdens, reliance on raw material exports, and inadequate infrastructure limit growth. Climate change and health crises, including HIV/AIDS and malaria, exacerbate poverty. Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress, with some nations experiencing economic growth and improvements in governance, education, and healthcare.