Poverty: Top 10 poorest countries in the world

Poverty has a profound impact on the world in various dimensions:

 Health
Poor health outcomes due to lack of access to healthcare, clean water, and nutritious food.
Higher rates of infant mortality and lower life expectancy.

 Education
Limited access to quality education, leading to lower literacy rates and fewer opportunities for economic advancement.
Children from impoverished families are more likely to drop out of school.

 Economic Growth
Slower economic growth due to a lack of skilled workforce and lower productivity.
Increased burden on social welfare systems and higher public spending on healthcare and social services.

Social Stability
Higher crime rates and social unrest due to economic disparities and lack of opportunities.
Increased migration and displacement as people seek better living conditions.

Environment
Overexploitation of natural resources as impoverished communities rely on them for survival.
Greater vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, which can trap communities in a cycle of poverty.

Global Inequality
Widening gap between rich and poor countries, leading to geopolitical tensions and instability.
Limited access to technology and innovation, hindering overall global progress.

Efforts to combat poverty require a multifaceted approach, addressing health, education, economic opportunities, and social services to create sustainable and equitable development.

Here are the top 10 poorest countries in the world in 2024:

1. South Sudan: With a GDP per capita of $455, South Sudan is the poorest country in the world. The country has been wracked by violence since its creation in 2011, and the majority of the population is employed in traditional agriculture.

2. Ethiopia: With a GDP per capita of $830. Ranking among the bottom poorest countries globally. Face significant development challenges, including:

Limited economic diversification
Dependence on agriculture
Rapid population growth
Limited access to education and healthcare
Political instability and conflict.

3. Burundi: With a GDP per capita of $916, Burundi is the second-poorest country in the world. The country lacks natural resources and has been scarred by a civil war lasting from 1993 to 2005.

4.  Eritrea: With a GDP per capita of $1,060. Limited economic diversification, Political instability, and conflict with Ethiopia.

5. Central African Republic (CAR): With a GDP per capita of $1,123, CAR is the third-poorest country in the world. The country is rich in gold, oil, uranium, and diamonds, but has been plagued by political instability and violence.

6. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): With a GDP per capita of $1,552, DRC is the fourth-poorest country in the world. The country has suffered decades of rapacious dictatorship, political instability, and constant violence.

7. Mozambique: With a GDP per capita of $1,649, Mozambique is the fifth-poorest country in the world. The country is rich in resources but has been plagued by severe climate conditions and political instability.

8. Niger: With a GDP per capita of $1,675, Niger is the sixth-poorest country in the world. The country is under threat from desertification, and food insecurity is high.

9. Malawi: With a GDP per capita of $1,712, Malawi is the seventh-poorest country in the world. The country’s economy is largely dependent on rain-fed crops, making it vulnerable to weather-related shocks.

10. Liberia: With a GDP per capita of $1,882, Liberia is the eighth-poorest country in the world. The country has ranked amongst the poorest countries in the world for many years.

Source: Our World in Data, World Bank, World Economic Forum, World Bank Group.

Please keep in mind that GDP per capita figures can vary depending on the source and methodology used. These numbers are estimates and may have changed slightly since the last update.

Also, note that GDP per capita is only one way to measure a country’s wealth and doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall standard of living or happiness of its citizens.