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When it comes to naming the poorest countries in the world, they usually pay attention to how weak or strong the economy of these countries is and how much per capita income they receive. Certainly, there are many countries whose income per person is less than $10 per month. Believe it or not, it’s up to you, but there are many such countries. Unfortunately, the scientific and technological achievements of mankind have not been able to raise the standard of living of the population in them.
There are many reasons for the financial troubles of countries and, as a result, its citizens: internal conflicts, social inequality, corruption, low level of integration into the world economic space, external wars, adverse climatic conditions, and much more. Therefore, today we have prepared a rating based on IMF (World Monetary Fund) data on the amount of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita for 2018-2019. General list of countries with GDP per capita.
10 Togo (Togolese Republic)
- Population: 7,154 million people
- Chair: Lome
- Official language: French
- GDP per capita: $1084
The Togolese Republic, formerly a French colony (until 1960), is located in the western part of Africa. The main source of income in the country is agriculture. Togo exports coffee, cocoa, cotton, sorghum, beans, tapioca, while a significant part of the production is bought from other countries (re-export). The textile industry and the extraction of phosphates are well developed.
9. Madagascar
- Population: 22,599 million people
- Capital: Antananarivo
- Official language: Malagasy and French
- GDP per capita: $970
The island of Madagascar is located in the eastern part of Africa and is separated from the continent by a strait. In general, the country’s economy can be classified as developing, but despite this, the standard of living, especially outside large cities, is quite low. The main sources of income of Madagascar are fishing, agriculture (growing spices and spices), eco-tourism (due to the many different species of animals and plants that inhabit the island). There is a natural focus of plague on the island, which is periodically activated.
8. Malawi
- Population: 16,777 million people
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Official language: English, Nyanja
- GDP per capita: $879
The Republic of Malawi, located in the eastern part of Africa, has very fertile lands, good reserves of coal and uranium. The economic basis of the country is the agricultural sector, which employs 90% of the working population. Industry processes agricultural products: sugar, tobacco, tea. More than half of Malawi’s citizens live in poverty.
7. Niger
- Population: 17,470 million people
- Capital: Niamey
- Official language: French
- GDP per capita: $829
The Republic of Niger is located in the western part of the African continent. Niger is one of the hottest countries in the world, as a result of which it has unfavorable climatic conditions due to its proximity to the Sahara Desert. Frequent droughts cause famine in the country. Of the advantages, significant reserves of uranium and explored oil and gas fields should be noted. 90% of the country’s population is employed in agriculture, but due to the arid climate, there is catastrophically little land suitable for use (about 3% of the country’s territory). The Niger economy is very dependent on foreign aid. More than half of the country’s population is below the poverty line.
6. Zimbabwe
- Population: 13,172 million people
- Capital: Harare
- State language: English
- GDP per capita: $788
Having gained independence from the British Empire in 1980, Zimbabwe was considered the most economically developed state in Africa, but today it is one of the poorest countries in the world. After the land reform carried out from 2000 to 2008, agriculture fell into decline and the country became a food importer. As of 2009, the unemployment rate in the country was 94%. Also, Zimbabwe is the absolute world record holder in terms of inflation.
5. Eritrea
- Population: 6,086 million people
- Capital: Asmara
- State language: Arabic and English
- GDP per capita: $707
Located on the coast of the Red Sea. Like most poor countries, Eritrea is an agrarian country, with only 5% of suitable land. Most of the population, about 80%, is involved in agriculture. Animal husbandry is developing. Due to the lack of clean fresh water, intestinal infections are common in the country.
4. Liberia
- Population: 3,489 million people
- Capital: Monrovia
- State language: English
- GDP per capita: $703
A former colony of the United States, Liberia was founded by blacks who gained freedom from slavery. A significant part of the territory is covered with forests, including valuable species of wood. Due to favorable climatic conditions and geographical location, Liberia has great potential for tourism development. The country’s economy suffered greatly during the civil war that took place in the nineties. More than 80% of people are below the poverty line.
3. Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Population: 77,433 million people
- Capital: Kinshasa
- Official language: French
- GDP per capita: $648
This country is located on the African continent. Also, like Togo, it was colonized until 1960, but this time by Belgium. Coffee, corn, bananas, various root crops are grown in the country. Animal breeding is very poorly developed. Of the minerals – there are diamonds, cobalt (the largest reserves in the world), copper, oil. Unfavorable military situation, civil wars periodically flare up in the country.
2. Burundi
- Population: 9,292 million people
- Capital: Bujumbura
- Official language: Rundi and French
- GDP per capita: $642
The country has considerable reserves of phosphorus, rare earth metals, vanadium. Significant areas are occupied by arable land (50%) or pastures (36%). Industrial production is poorly developed and most of it is owned by Europeans. The agricultural sector employs almost 90% of the country’s population. Also, more than a third of the country’s GDP is provided by the export of agricultural products. More than 50% of the country’s citizens live below the poverty line.
1. Central African Republic (CAR)
- Population: 5,057 million people
- Capital: Bangui
- Official language: French and Sango
- GDP per capita: $542
The poorest country in the world today is the Central African Republic. The country has a very low life expectancy – 51 years for women, 48 years for men. Just like in many other poor countries, the CAR has a tense military environment, many warring factions, and crime is rampant. Since the country has sufficiently large reserves of natural resources, a significant part of them is exported: timber, cotton, diamonds, tobacco and coffee. The main source of economic development (more than half of GDP) is the agricultural sector.