Ranking of the poorest countries in 2025 according to GDP per capita

According to the 2025 economic estimates, a ranking of the poorest countries reveals considerable economic disparities on a global scale. This review of GDP per capita highlights the challenges faced by the poorest nations, mainly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Sub-Saharan Africa: the heart of the economic difficulties

The majority of the 50 economies analysed in this ranking of the poorest countries are located in Africa. South Sudan is in first place with a GDP per capita of just $251, followed by Yemen ($417) and Burundi ($490). The Central African Republic recorded $532, while Malawi reached $580 and Madagascar $595.

This trend continues with Sudan ($625), Mozambique ($663), DRC ($743) and Niger ($751). Somalia completes this first round with $766, Nigeria with $807, Liberia with $908 and Sierra Leone with $916. Mali ($936), Gambia ($988), Chad ($991) and Rwanda ($1,043) represent the upper tier of this area of great economic poverty.

Geographical diversification of the ranking of the poorest countries

Beyond Africa, the ranking includes several Asian and Oceanian nations. Togo ($1,053), Ethiopia ($1,066), Lesotho ($1,098) and Burkina Faso ($1,107) remain in the most critical positions. Guinea-Bissau ($1,126) and Myanmar ($1,177) also rank lower in the ranking of the poorest countries based on GDP per capita.

Tanzania ($1,280), Zambia ($1,332) and Uganda ($1,338) form a transitional group, while Tajikistan ($1,432), Nepal ($1,458) and Timor-Leste ($1,491) consolidate the Asian presence in this group.

South Asia and emerging economies

Benin ($1,532), Comoros ($1,702) and Senegal ($1,811) show a slight improvement in the economy. Cameroon ($1,865), Guinea ($1,904) and Laos ($2,096) continue this upward trajectory in GDP per capita, while Zimbabwe ($2,199), Congo ($2,356) and Solomon Islands ($2,379) exceed the $2,000 mark.

Kiribati ($2,414), Kenya ($2,468), Mauritania ($2,478) and Ghana ($2,519) are the next tiers. Papua New Guinea ($2,565), Haiti ($2,672), Bangladesh ($2,689), Kyrgyz Republic ($2,747), Cambodia ($2,870), Côte d’Ivoire ($2,872) and India ($2,878) round out the ranking of the 50 poorest countries according to 2025 data.

Economic challenges and prospects

This ranking of the poorest countries underlines the extent of global economic inequality. Factors explaining the differences in GDP per capita include regional conflicts, political instability, limited access to natural resources, and inadequate infrastructure. The majority of nations on this list continue to face deep structural challenges requiring international interventions and sustainable domestic reforms.