To identify the richest and poorest countries in the world, 24/7 Wall St. compared data on GNI from the World Bank.
The rating was compiled based on data such as GNI per capita, GDP, GDP growth, employment rate, life expectancy, literacy, Internet access, exports and imports, government spending, and in addition, a host of other data. In addition, this rating also took into account the corruption index from Transparency International.
Almost all of the world's poorest countries are in sub-Saharan Africa. These countries are mired in political and military conflicts. In addition, their economy is largely based on agriculture and mining in exchange for expensive essential goods. Many countries are highly dependent on foreign aid, and such dependence undermines the possibility of economic development.
However, not everything is so simple with these countries. Thus, Iran has the world's third largest oil reserves, but it does not belong to one of the richest countries in the world. But South Korea, which has practically no resources, has become one of the relatively rich countries today.
In addition, poor countries tend to have high unemployment, low literacy rates and low Internet access.
So, below is a list of the 25 poorest countries in the world.
25. South Sudan
2014 GDP: $13.1 billion
Population: 11,911,184
: 55.2 years
The last civil war in South Sudan ended in August when the country's president signed a peace deal with the rebel leader. The country has been in a state of military conflict since 2013.
Such a conflict is not new for a country that gained independence in 2011. Civil wars, political conflicts, uprisings constantly destabilize the economy and politics of the country.
It is conflicts that are the main reason why more than half of the country's population lives below the poverty level, and GNI per capita in the country is only $2,000, which is one of the lowest rates in the world. Corruption is also a concern. In terms of corruption, South Sudan ranks 5th in the world.
24. Afghanistan
2014 GDP: $20.8 billion
Population: 31,627,506
Life expectancy: 60.9 years
Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world. The literacy rate in the country is just above 30%, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.
In addition, the citizens of Afghanistan live almost 61 years, which is 10 years below the world average.
Weak socioeconomic indicators are mainly associated with instability. Although the country has a formal US-backed government, the Taliban control much of the country. In these territories, official laws do not actually work.
In addition, there is a very high level of corruption here: Afghanistan ranks one of the highest places in the corruption index in the world.
23. Benin
2014 GDP: $8.7 billion
Population: 10,598,482
Life expectancy: 59.3 years
Benin, located in West Africa, is one example of a developing country that is striving to emerge from poverty and compete with dignity in world markets.
Together with Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali, Benin exports about 8% of the world's cotton - a fairly significant share to have an impact on the global cotton market.
However, more and more developed countries, such as the United States, are subsidizing the cotton industry, thus boosting cotton production around the world and lowering cotton prices.
This results in all four of these countries, the so-called C-4 countries, remaining poor. However, education could be a good way for Benin to move out of the rankings of the poorest countries. Nearly 95% of children are in school, which is much higher than in other South African countries.
22. Sierra Leone
2014 GDP: $4.9 billion
Population: 6,315,627
Life expectancy: 45.6 years
After the country gained independence from Britain in 1951, Sierra Leone hoped that natural resources would bring her economic prosperity.
Since then, the country has experienced 13 military coups and a long civil war, which negatively affected its economic development.
Today, more than half of the country's population lives below the poverty line. In addition, the country is very dependent on foreign aid, as it receives almost 10% of its GDP from abroad.
In 2012, the government of the country drew up a 50-year development plan, which spelled out such priorities as education and infrastructure development, and not just mining.
21. Uganda
2014 GDP: $26.3 billion
Population: 37,782,971
Life expectancy: 59.2 years
The economic outlook for Uganda has improved over the past few years, according to the African Development Bank, which notes growth in GDP and life expectancy, as well as a decrease in poverty and child mortality.
In fact, life expectancy in Uganda has increased by three years since 2009 to 59.2 years. However, despite the improvements, Uganda is still one of the poorest countries.
20. Haiti
B]GNI per capita: $1,730
2014 GDP: $8.7 billion
Population: 10,572,029
Life expectancy: 63.1 years
Once one of the wealthiest countries in the New World, it is now the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. As in the case of other countries, the history of Haiti has known many internal conflicts and corrupt regimes.
In addition, the 20-year US occupation prior to World War II, the HIV crisis, and the 2010 earthquake all prevented the country from achieving a stable economic situation. Today, almost 60% of the country's population lives below the poverty line, and the literacy rate is below 60%.
19. Burkina Faso
2014 GDP: $12.5 billion
Population: 17,589,198
Life expectancy: 56.3 years
The country's name means "land of the incorruptible people" and Burkina Faso does show lower rates of corruption than other African countries.
Nevertheless, it cannot be said that the country is completely free from corruption: in the ranking of corrupt countries, it ranks 50th out of 175 countries.
Life expectancy in Burkina Faso is in line with the regional average. The country's literacy rate is extremely low at just 28.7%, less than the regional average. In addition, less than 10% of the country's inhabitants have access to the Internet.
18. Rwanda
2014 GDP: $7.9 billion
Population: 11,341,544
Life expectancy: 64.0 years
Since the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, the country's political and economic achievements have not been easy.
For several years, Rwanda's GDP growth was 7%, which led to the fact that more than 1 million inhabitants of the country, or almost 9% of the population, ceased to live below the poverty line. Nevertheless, the country's poverty rate is still very high - 44.9%.
President Paul Kagame ruled the country for 15 years. He managed to seriously improve the lives of his citizens: increased access to health care, free education, and in addition, during the years of his rule, the country's infrastructure improved.
17. Zimbabwe
2014 GDP: $13.7 billion
Population: 15,245,855
Life expectancy: 59.8 years
Over 70% of Zimbabwe's population lives below the poverty line, the third highest of any country.
From 2009 to 2012 The country's GDP grew by 11% per year, mainly due to the development of the agricultural and mining sectors.
Since then, annual GDP growth has fallen to 3.2%. Despite economic growth in recent years, Zimbabwe's GNI per capita is below the regional average.
16. Gambia
2014 GDP: $0.8 billion
Population: 1,928,201
Life expectancy: 58.8 years
The Gambia has been a fairly stable country since President Yahya Jammeh came to power in a bloody coup in 1994.
By comparison, during this period, many other African countries experienced a period of political instability and armed conflicts.
However, political stability in The Gambia has not led to economic prosperity. The Gambia exports peanuts, which is the basis of its exports and economy in general.
In addition, the country is highly dependent on foreign aid, which in 2013 amounted to 12% of GDP. This is one of the highest rates in the world.
15. Mali
2014 GDP: $12.1 billion
Population: 17,086,022
Life expectancy: 55.0 years
Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world and in the region. It is one of Africa's largest cotton producers, accounting for more than half of the country's exports.
To protect its main source of income, Mali has opposed subsidies given to cotton growers in more developed countries such as the US.
Mali is also dependent on foreign aid, which accounts for 12.5% of the country's GDP, one of the highest rates in the world.
14. Eritrea
2014 GDP: $3.9 billion
Population: 5,110,444
Life expectancy: 62.8 years
Eritrea has suffered from armed conflict and instability for the past 30 years. As a result, it is one of the poorest countries in the world.
In addition, the Eritrean government is overly "secret", which significantly limits UN assistance.
Foreign aid is only 2.4% of the country's GDP, the lowest among the world's poorest countries.
In addition, the infrastructure in Eritrea is very poorly developed. Less than 1 in 100 Eritreans have access to the internet - also one of the lowest rates in the world.
13. Comoros
2014 GDP: $0.6 billion
Population: 769,991
Life expectancy: 60.9 years
In the Comoros, located east of Africa and north of Madagascar, the inhabitants speak French and Arabic.
It is one of the poorest countries in the world, where the main sectors of the economy are agriculture and fishing.
Although the country gained independence from France in 1975, its economy still depends on foreign aid from France, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
12. Ethiopia
2014 GDP: $54.8 billion
Population: 96,958,732
Life expectancy: 63.6 years
Unlike other poorest countries in the world, Ethiopia has been independent throughout its existence.
However, internal conflicts and armed attempts to take over neighboring Eritrea have left Ethiopia among the world's poorest countries, with high rates of poverty, hunger, and low levels of health and education.
Nevertheless, the Ethiopian economy is one of the fastest growing in the world. Its economy is growing at 9.9% per year, the fourth highest in the world.
11. Madagascar
2014 GDP: $10.6 billion
Population: 23,571,713
Life expectancy: 64.7 years
More than 23 million people live here, and almost 75.3% - or more than 17 million - live below the poverty line. This country has the second highest poverty rate in the world.
Like other countries in the region, Madagascar has experienced many armed conflicts and coups, and in addition, the country's economy suffers from high levels of corruption.
Since the latest coup in 2009, many international organizations have severed their ties with the country.
Nevertheless, the country's government adopted a new constitution in 2010, and in 2014 elections were held in the country - after these events, foreign investors can come to the country.
10. Guinea-Bissau
2014 GDP: $1.0 billion
Population: 1,800,513
Life expectancy: 54.3 years
Like other poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau's economy depends on agriculture. The country is the seventh largest exporter of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, which account for nearly all of the country's exports.
In addition, the corrupt authorities of Guinea-Bissau helped establish a center for the illegal transportation of cocaine from Latin America to Europe in the country.
According to Transparency International, Guinea-Bissau is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Its inhabitants are among the sickest on the planet, and life expectancy is only 54 years, which is less than the average for the region.
9. Togo
2014 GDP: $4.5 billion
Population: 7,115,163
Life expectancy: 56.5 years
After the elections in 2005, the level of corruption in the country remained at a very high level. And in the ranking of Transparency International, the country ranks highest in terms of corruption. Nevertheless, Togo receives assistance from international organizations.
8. Mozambique
2014 GDP: $16.4 billion
Population: 27,216,276
Life expectancy: 50.2 years
Despite the fact that the country has been stable since 1992, when a peace agreement was signed that ended the civil war in the country, Mozambique has not managed to achieve serious economic development.
According to the World Bank, almost 55% of Mozambicans live below the poverty line, one of the highest rates in the world.
As is the case with other poorest countries, Mozambique has a low level of health care, and in addition, there is a high level of infection of diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes.
Malaria is one of the most common diseases that kills many people every year. The infant mortality rate in the country is 35%, and the mortality rate in the whole country is 29%.
7. Guinea
2014 GDP: $6.6 billion
Population: 12,275,527
Life expectancy: 56.1 years
Guinea has two-thirds of the world's bauxite reserves. In addition, this country is a large deposit of iron ore, gold and diamonds.
Despite the abundance of natural resources, corruption, political instability and limited property rights all lead to the fact that most of the population of Guinea lives below the poverty line.
As in most other poor countries, the main economic sector is agriculture. In fact, 70% of the population of Guinea works on farms, but contributes less than 20% of GDP.
6. Niger
2014 GDP: $8.2 billion
Population: 19,113,728
Life expectancy: 58.4 years
Almost half of the population of Niger lives below the poverty line. Niger experienced political instability within the country, which significantly hampered the economic development of the country.
Niger's imports are nearly double its exports. In addition, foreign aid to the country is 10.1% of GDP. In addition, the country has one of the lowest living standards in the world. Only 15.5% of the country's inhabitants can read.
5. Malawi
2014 GDP: $4.3 billion
Population: 16,695,253
Life expectancy: 55.2 years
Most of the population of this country lives below the poverty line. However, the country does not receive foreign aid from other countries.
In 2014, international donors withdrew almost $150 million in aid from Malawi's state budget, noting that at least $30 million was missing from the budget as a result of corruption. If aid is not renewed, the country could face bankruptcy.
4. Burundi
2014 GDP: $3.1 billion
Population: 10,816,860
Life expectancy: 54.1 years
Since 1994, the country has been experiencing a series of internal armed conflicts that hinder the development of the economy and also lead to a decrease in the standard of living of the country's population.
More than a fifth of GDP is foreign aid to the country. Residents of the country live on average 54 years, and 66.9% live below the poverty line.
3. Liberia
2014 GDP: $2.0 billion
Population: 4,396,554
Life expectancy: 60.5 years
Many have heard of this country in the context of the Ebola epidemic that broke out in Africa in 2014.
Possibly as a result of this epidemic, more than 63% of Liberians live below the poverty line and only 37.7% of children are in school, both of which are among the lowest in the world.
GDP growth in 2014 was 0.5%, but the African Development Bank believes that in 2015 GDP growth will be 3.8% as business activity recovers after the country was declared victory over Ebola.
2. Democratic Republic of the Congo
2014 GDP: $33.0 billion
Population: 74,877,030
Life expectancy: 49.9 years
Since the 1960s the country is going through very difficult times, during which armed conflicts and clashes slowed down economic development.
From 1965 to 1997 Congo was ruled by Joseph Mobutu, who changed the country's name to Zaire, nationalized foreign companies, and amassed almost $5 billion by plundering the country's natural resources.
In the late 1990s war broke out in the country. By 2001, about 2.5 million people were estimated to have died during the war.
According to the UN, more than 500,000 Congolese citizens have refugee status.
1. Central African Republic
2014 GDP: $1.8 billion
Population: 4,804,316
Life expectancy: 50.1 years
The poorest country was the Central African Republic, with a poverty rate of 62%. However, not all residents of the country live below the poverty line.
According to the Gini index, which measures the level of inequality in the distribution of wealth in a country, the country ranks 5th in terms of inequality in the world.
Life expectancy in the country is only 50 years, such life expectancy was in the USA in 1901.
The last armed coup in the country took place in 2013.
Let's learn about the poorest countries in the world, which can only exist due to the external support of other states. This entire ranking is based on such criteria as the quality of education, the level of medicine, unemployment and social security.
Swaziland has the lowest level of medicine
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Most of the inhabitants of this country are employed in the agricultural sector, and the state still survives through the export of agricultural products. However, later the country may lose this source of income as well - the cultivation of land is carried out mostly incorrectly, and this, in turn, may further lead to soil depletion and the decline of the agricultural industry.
The GDP is $3,400 per capita. The poverty rate here is simply unthinkable - at 70%.
The terrible situation in the country and with medicine, the lack of medicines and the low level of development of medical technologies affect the fact that the average life expectancy here barely reaches 48 years.
The highest inflation in the world recorded in Zimbabwe
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Only 45% of Zimbabwe's 13 million people are employed. And even then their salary hardly exceeds 3 dollars. The country's economy was brought to such a state by the rule of Robert Mugabe from the beginning of the 80s of the last century, who pursued a policy of forced redistribution of land.
As a result, the agricultural sector, which brought a significant part of the country's income, has lost its relevance. The export of products decreased, the number of jobs decreased, which led to the depreciation of money by 2 times. As a result, in 2017, the inflation rate in Zimbabwe is 231% per year, for comparison, in Russia it is 9% per year. GDP in Zimbabwe is $2,100 per capita.
Sierra Leone has the highest death rate in the world
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The strongest impact on the economic condition of Sierra Leone is still exerted by the civil war that lasted more than 10 years (from 1991 to 2002), when corruption and violence flourished in the country. While the country could well secure a comfortable existence through the use of rich natural resources, 65% of its 6 million people are poor. The gross domestic product (GDP) is approximately $380. And the mortality rates are simply amazing: out of 1,000 newborns, 114 children die.
Madagascar records highest unemployment rate
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Madagascar is entirely dependent on the amount of agricultural products, and the destruction of crops and crops in the coastal zone occurs here quite often, because the state is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Accordingly, there are serious problems with exports, which, in turn, directly affects the state of the economy. 65% of the country's population is considered unemployed, although the work of agricultural enterprises is well established here, and 69% of the population lives below the poverty line with a GDP of $1,500.
The poorest country in the world - Haiti
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40% of the 10 million people in Haiti are unemployed, and this is one of the reasons for the low standard of living of people. Another reason is the low GDP, which is only $900. A third of the working population receives one dollar a day for their work, and a quarter receive more than $2. The situation is aggravated by the consequences of the earthquake that occurred in 2010 and claimed the lives of more than 200 thousand people. More than 300 thousand people were injured of varying severity. The economic damage from the earthquake is estimated at $8 billion. The recovery of the country's economy after such a shock continues to this day, but a relatively small island nation cannot provide a rapid pace of development that could compensate for such enormous losses.
It is very problematic to unequivocally say which is the poorest country in the world. This is due to the fact that each state has its own method of calculating the level of poverty. It is rather problematic to assess the situation in developed countries. Since their low standard of living in comparison with developing countries can be called high. This leads to the fact that quite often the assessment is very subjective.
How to judge which country is poor and which is not?
The method of calculating the poverty rate varies from one country to another. For example, if we consider Russia, then low-income people here are considered to be people whose income is below the subsistence level determined by the government. This is about 36 million citizens, a quarter of the total population. A similar level of prosperity, but for African countries, can be considered more than normal. Based on the assessment of the situation by the state itself, then Zambia can be included in the top of the poorest countries in the world, where about 86% of the population is poor. In other words, seven out of eight people in the country are below the poverty line. This situation, along with other factors, has led to the fact that more than 10% of Zambian citizens are HIV-positive. The second place according to this criterion in the list of poor states went to the Israeli-Palestinian zone. In the Gaza Strip, about 81% of people are classified as poor. Third place was shared by Liberia and Chad, Haiti and Moldova with 80%.
How does the UN assess the situation?
The United Nations does not use the term "poor countries" in its practice, it uses such a concept as "least developed states". This list includes those countries whose GDP per capita is less than $750. In total, there are 48 states in the world, which, according to the UN, can be classified as "The poorest countries in the world." Photos of these corners of the earth with their beauties and sights quite often suggest the mistake of participating in the rating. Nevertheless, 33 poor countries are located in Africa. We can talk about Angola and Benin, Burkina Faso and Burundi, Gambia and Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Congo, Djibouti and Zambia, Comoros and Lesotho, Liberia and Mauritania, Madagascar and Malawi, Mali and Mozambique , Niger and Tanzania, Rwanda and Sao Tome, Principe and Senegal, Somalia and Sudan, Sierra Leone and Togo, Uganda and the Central African Republic, Chad and Equatorial Guinea, and Eritrea and Ethiopia. There are only 14 poor countries in Asia and Oceania. These included Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Bhutan and Vanuatu, Yemen with Cambodia, Kiribati and Laos, Myanmar and Nepal, Samoa with the Solomon Islands, East Timor and Tuvalu. There is only one poor country in Latin America and that is Haiti.
Togo, Madagascar and Malawi
The rating of the poorest countries in the world is opened by three states. This is Togo, the population of which is just over 7 million people. The GDP per capita is $364. Formerly a French colony, today an independent nation survives on agriculture, coffee, cocoa beans and cotton exports.
Madagascar has a population of over 22 million and a GDP of $391. This is one of the largest islands in the world. The main sources of income are fishing and agriculture, ecological tourism. The situation is aggravated by the natural focus of the plague.
Malawi is a state with a population of over 16 million people. GDP per capita barely reaches $354. Despite the rich reserves of coal and uranium, the local population specializes in agriculture. The majority live in poverty.
Niger, Zimbabwe and Eritrea
Among the 10 poorest countries in the world is a state called Niger with a population of more than 17 million people. GDP is only $383 per person. The country has some of the most unfavorable climatic conditions for life. Heat and drought cause frequent famine. The economy is completely dependent on foreign aid, despite the reserves of uranium, oil and gas.
Zimbabwe is a country of 13 million people and a GDP of $475 per capita. The number of unemployed is equal to 94%, and the inflation rate is a record in the world.
Eritrea is an agrarian state with a population of 6 million, where only 5% of the territory is suitable for agriculture. GDP is $441 per capita.
Liberia, Congo and Burundi
Not the poorest country in the world, but the low-income one is Liberia. Its population is just over 3 million people. GDP is $226 per person. Formerly a US colony, the country is now experiencing great difficulties after the civil war. There are good natural resources, which determines the prospects for development.
The Congo, with a population of 77 million, has a GDP per capita of $216. On the territory of the state, corn and bananas, various root crops are grown. Copper, oil and the largest reserves of cobalt in the world do not save the country. The reason for this is the constant expectation of a civil war.
The Central African Republic (CAR) has a population of just over 5 million people. GDP per person is $468. The average life expectancy of the country's inhabitants does not exceed 50 years, which is associated with a tense military situation. Crime is thriving, a large number of groups are constantly appearing, leading hostility among themselves. Despite the rather large stocks of cotton and timber, diamonds, tobacco and coffee, most of the goods are exported. More than 50% of GDP is agriculture.
The poorest country in the world
The title of the poorest state in the world is Burundi - a country with a population of more than 9 million and with a GDP of $ 177 per person. The underdeveloped industry belongs to the Europeans. Rare reserves of phosphorus and vanadium do not save the economy.
Poverty assessment by the Cato Institute in the USA
The Cato Institute in the United States conducted an independent study. Taking into account unemployment and inflation rates, the degree of confidence in the future and the lending rate, together with changes in GDP, a decision was made as to which is the poorest country in the world. Venezuela topped the list, followed by Argentina, Syria, Ukraine and Iran. The last two countries were in the top five for poverty in 2014. They ousted Sudan, Principe and Sao Tome from the list. The key factors that served to form the rating are consumer prices and the unemployment rate. The complex correlation of values and tracking their dynamics made it possible to form a global picture of poverty.
Reasons for being ranked
Venezuela became the leader of the rating due to the fall in world oil prices in 2014-2015. This is due to the fact that its economy is 95% dependent on the export of energy resources. The state market has every chance of facing default, the probability of which in the short term is 90%. Argentina was brought to the rating by an unsuccessful long-term economic policy, which did not allow full use of all the country's natural resources. Ukraine, Syria and Iran were shaken by internal instability, complemented by external cardinal changes in the world economy. According to the US professor, Brunei and Switzerland, China and Taiwan, and Japan have successfully escaped poverty.
Today, October 17, in honor of the World Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we took a glimpse behind the wall of global indifference and saw how the poorest countries on the planet live.
How to live on a dollar a day? How many times to eat today - one or none? These wild questions for a representative of the developed world are asked daily by at least 700 million people, or about 10% of the world's population.
At the UN, states that find themselves on the sidelines of progress are called the evasive term "Least Developed Countries" (LDCs).
For the first time, the concept of LDCs was introduced in 1971, when it became clear that neither equality nor brotherhood in the world had somehow worked out. Then the rating included 24 countries with GDP per capita below $750. To date, there are already 48 of them. In general, this is a one-way road: in 33 years, only 10 states were able to get rid of the status of an unpromising poor - Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Guyana, Vietnam, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Maldives, Botswana and Cape Verde. This is also facilitated by the fact that in order to exclude a country from the list of the least developed countries, it is necessary that its GDP per capita exceed the “input” $750 by $150 and amount to at least $900.
Geographically, all fifty of the world's poorest countries "crowd" around the equator and tropical latitudes, which is easily explained, since it is here that the zone of the highest population density passes. More than half of the list - 28 states - is in Black Africa, 9 - in Asia, 5 - in Oceania and one (Haiti) belongs to North America (Caribbean). There are no poorest countries in Europe: the poorest country on the continent, Moldova, has an impressive GDP by African standards - $ 2,038 per person.
It is in terms of GDP per capita that we compiled this rating. The data may already be slightly outdated, but it is unlikely that at least in one of these “outskirts of the world” something has changed for a local resident.
1. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Population: 15.6 million
GDP per capita: $216
The poverty of the DRC, the former Zaire, is a classic story of Black Africa, which will be repeated in our story more than once. The recipe for "success" is simple: civil war. In the DRC, the war began in the mid-nineties and continued with some interruptions for about eight years; over the years, the country's economy, already rather shaky, has literally been trampled into the dirt with boots. Later, conflicts flared up again and again in the state, so that the Congolese had absolutely no time for building the economy.
The result is obvious - total poverty and the world's lowest GDP per capita. At the same time, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is quite successfully trading with China, Belgium and a couple of other countries, selling them diamonds, timber, coffee and minerals. In addition, the shadow export of tantalite, which is used in the production of microelectronics, has been established from the DRC.
2. Niger
Population: 17.5 million
GDP per capita:$381
There was no civil war as such in Niger, but in 25 years there have been several military coups and six (!) Republics have changed. Citizens, busy redistributing power, let go of the reins of economic management, and it rushed at a gallop, demolishing all the rudiments of well-being on the way.
Today in Niger - a typical Africa in full growth and hopeless poverty. Rare travelers try to escape from there as soon as possible wherever their eyes look.
3. Burundi
Population: 9.3 million
GDP per capita: $389
Burundi is what is called the "banana republic". Almost all the inhabitants of the country are employed in agriculture, and most of them live far below the poverty line. Cows and goats here almost do not bring milk, the land does not give normal yields, there is nowhere to work, and there is definitely nothing for a European to do.
Over the years, Burundi has been repeatedly recognized as the poorest country in the world, and it does not seem that in the foreseeable future this African hole will be able to get rid of such a filthy reputation.
4. Central African Republic
Population: 5 million
GDP per capita:$391
The Central African Republic is famous as the birthplace of the eccentric dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who, in particular, liked to feast on his own subjects and did many other amusing things. However, the current poverty of the republic is primarily due to the classical scheme of "civil war → devastation." The last conflict in the CAR took place just the other day - in 2013.
The country has diamonds, uranium, oil, gold - but still no life. Unfortunately, this is a typical African story.
5. Ethiopia
Population: 93.9 million
GDP per capita: $483
One of the largest and oldest countries in Africa has made it to our unsightly list due to a frankly failed economic model. A huge country is trying to live off agriculture, but it doesn’t work very well: almost 40% of Ethiopians are below the poverty line.
Ethiopia came to this life, of course, because of the civil war - in Africa, as we see, it almost never happens differently. In addition, in 1993, Eritrea broke away from Ethiopia, cutting off access to the sea for former compatriots. As a result of all of the above, almost 100 million citizens of this rather large country ask themselves daily the question: “How would we live to see tomorrow?”
6. Liberia
Population: 3.5 million
GDP per capita: $500
Liberia was founded in the 19th century by black slaves released from the United States. It would seem - former slaves know how to work like no one else; however, in fact, it turned out that the terms “work” and “earn” for Liberians are at opposite poles of the conceptual globe. In addition, today 95% of the country's population are natives from local tribes, who are mainly busy sorting things out with each other.
Throughout the 90s and half of the 00s, civil wars went on in the country one after another, completely destroying the economy. Despite the fact that many ships now sail under the Liberian flag, each of which pays the country for its use, duties are still not enough to maintain an acceptable standard of living in the state. The export of wood, rubber and ore also cannot cover the impressive budget deficit. In other words, Liberia today is a country of possibly free but very poor people.
7. Zimbabwe
Population: 13.2 million
GDP per capita: $589
Zimbabwe in the late 2000s became the object of jokes around the world because of its hyperinflation: in 2009 it reached a fantastic 321,000,000%. On this occasion, the National Bank issued a bill of 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollars, and then generally stopped the circulation of the state currency in the country out of harm's way. Today, the last surviving banknotes, which even had an expiration date (!), Are actively sold on the black market to tourists and collectors.
The unsuccessful land reform of 2000 led the country to such a wild state. In just a decade, Zimbabwe has gone from a leading African country to a laughing stock. Unemployment is now almost 100%, and those few citizens who are still listed as working are all employed in agriculture - growing wheat and cassava.
8. Somalia
Population: 10.2 million
GDP per capita: about $600
The legendary Somalia - a haven of pirates, bandits and other evil spirits from all over Africa - is still considered a state, despite the fact that even the UN doubts that there are signs of statehood in this territory. It is almost impossible to calculate the GDP, and in general to assess the economic indicators of a destroyed country, but experts, as usual, tried.
And it suddenly turned out that Somalia is by no means the poorest country in Africa. According to the Somali Central Bank, the state maintains a "healthy informal economy based mainly on animal husbandry, telecommunications and remittance companies." Even though half the country survives on less than $1 a day, the Somali factions and territories that make up the country have developed some ties with major market players and even attracted some strategic investment. As a result, some Somalis even look to a brighter future without much fear.
9. Afghanistan
Population: 31.1 million
GDP per capita:$687
The recent history of Afghanistan, unfortunately, is known to Russians firsthand. Soviet troops took a direct part in the civil war of the 80s, which continues to this day. The Afghans still cannot build an adequate state - and therefore the majority of the population either holds a machine gun in their hands or grows drugs.
It is drugs that today form the basis of the Afghan economy. The cultivation and sale of opium and its derivatives, according to some estimates, reaches 15% of the total GDP. A huge number of the country's inhabitants are engaged in nothing but the production (and often use) of drugs. Since 2001, the volume of dope production has increased by about 40 times, and all this is moving, first of all, to Russia and the EU. Effective ways to combat drug trafficking, except for napalm, have not yet been invented.
10. Eritrea
Population: 6 million
GDP per capita: $747
The “fragment” of Ethiopia did not fare any better after secession in 1993. On the contrary: the state retained access to the sea, but cut off the established economic and logistical ties with its neighbors. The war with Ethiopia in 1998 finished off the situation.
Today, Eritrea is an extremely poor state, exhausted by long wars with its neighbors, first for independence, and then just like that. The country has somehow established a command economy with an extremely small share of the private sector, while 80% of citizens are employed in agriculture - and they have nothing to live on.
Sympathized with Alexei Maksimuk
The standard of living in different countries is different: in some it is too high, in others, on the contrary, it is very low. But how poor countries can be, many people do not even imagine. According to the UN, about 25,000 people die of hunger every day, most of them children. Nearly 1 billion people on the planet live on just $1 a day, while 2.5 billion people have a daily income of only $2.
The poorest country in the world in 2018 is located in Africa - this is the Central African Republic (CAR). It occupies a leading position in the number of AIDS cases and has a meager GDP per capita of $542.
Within the United Nations, poor countries are referred to as "least developed countries". Obtaining the status of an LDC gives some privileges: technical assistance, financial assistance on concessional terms, access to markets are provided to states. To be included in the list of backward countries, GDP per capita must be $750.
In addition to GDP, indicators such as nutrition, health, education, and literacy of the population are taken into account. In 1971, the list of LDCs included 24 countries, in 2011 the number of poor countries increased to 48. To get out of this dismal list, it is necessary to increase the GDP indicator to $ 900. Only ten states managed to do this, and they were included in the list of developing countries.
It would seem that what prevents the inhabitants of poor countries from improving their living conditions? In most cases, the cause of the troubles of these states are civil and external wars, climatic conditions, corruption, external debts, low level of medicine and education. The poorest countries in the world are in dire need of help to improve their living standards even a little.
10 poorest countries in the world 2017-2018
In total, there are 48 poorest countries in the world, while the vast majority in this list are poor African countries: residents of 33 states live below the extreme poverty line. 14 poor countries are in Asia and Oceania and one state - Haiti - in Latin America.
Based on the data of the International Monetary Fund on the amount of GDP per capita according to PPP (this characteristic is considered the most accurate for determining the development of the economy) dated April 8, 2016, the 10 poorest countries in the world are distinguished:
10th place - Togolese Republic, GDP - $1084
The state, which was once a French colony, is located in West Africa. The basis of the economy is crop production and the extraction of marble and phosphorites for export. The tsetse fly lives in the country, so animal husbandry is poorly developed.
There are not enough medical institutions and doctors in the republic. The incidence of tuberculosis, malaria, and fever is high. Every year the number of AIDS patients is growing rapidly - 3.5% of the population is infected with this terrible disease. More than 35% of the inhabitants live in poverty and destitution.
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Despite this, Togo has a high birth rate. Every woman has at least 4 children. By law, a man is allowed to have 4 wives. If a Togolese was too kind to a woman, gave her compliments, then he is obliged to marry her. So gallant men contain 4 wives and at least 16 children.
9th place - Madagascar, GDP - $ 970
The state, located on a unique island, which is the 4th largest on the planet with a population of more than 20 million people, although it belongs to developing countries, is nevertheless included in the list of poor countries in the world. The main sectors of the economy are animal husbandry, fishing and the cultivation of spices for export. Due to locust invasions, farmers suffer significant losses almost every year.
Madagascar is the largest vanilla producer in the world. There is a version that the transition of the Coca-Cola company from natural vanilla to synthetic has seriously hit the economy of the island.
Tourism is growing in Madagascar. About 10,000 species of unique animals and plants live on the island. Only here you can see lemurs, a variety of chameleons that feel at ease in the parks. Most of them are under the threat of extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitat.
The standard of living in the country is quite low. In many villages there is neither electricity nor water supply, and TVs and computers are out of the question. The average woman has at least 5 children. There is a plague outbreak on the island. Malaria is prevalent along the east coast.
8th place - Republic of Malawi, GDP - $879
More than half of the population of the country, located in East Africa, lives in poverty and cannot read. The main economic sector is agriculture. Tobacco, sugar, tea, and peanuts are grown for export. There are deposits of minerals: uranium, coal and bauxite, but they are practically not being developed.
The health care situation is dire. There is one doctor for every 17,000 people. Almost every child under the age of 5 is underweight. In 2015, more than 1.6 million people were infected with AIDS.
Out of 1000 babies born, 84 babies die. Unsanitary conditions, lack of food, miserable living conditions do not stop the women of Malawi. Each has at least 5-6 children.
7th place - Republic of Niger, GDP - $829
Niger, in which scorching heat always reigns, consistently falls into the top of the poorest countries. Very often it is confused with Nigeria, but these are completely different countries. The economy depends on the help of other states.
The main source of income is agriculture, which employs 90% of the population. Only 3% of the land is cultivated, the remaining soils are not suitable. In 1958, uranium deposits were discovered, Niger ranked 2nd in terms of mining. The uranium crisis in the 1980s had a negative impact on the country's uranium industry.
There are no railways in Niger, only 28% can read and write. Less than 25% of children attend schools. Half of the population suffers from chronic malnutrition. Lack of drinking water causes a surge in infectious diseases. Almost 1% of the population is HIV-infected.
The country ranks 3rd in terms of infant mortality. 115 out of 1000 babies die. Niger has the highest birth rate. A woman gives birth 7-8 times.
6th place - Zimbabwe, GDP - $788
The reason for the disasters of the African state was land reform. In January 2009, the country broke the world inflation record ─ 321,000,000%. In the course were denominations of 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollars. With this money, you could buy several eggs. Now these banknotes are sold to collectors and tourists.
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Zimbabwe has the highest unemployment rate at 94%. 70% of the population lives in poverty. In addition to economic problems in the country, life expectancy has significantly decreased, for women up to 47 years, for men up to 48 years. The cause of early death is AIDS.
5th place - Eritrea, GDP - $707
Eritrea occupies the 5th position. The state is located on the coast of the Red Sea. For a long time the country was an Italian colony, in the 50s of the last century it was annexed to Ethiopia. The War of Independence lasted over 30 years. As a result of hostilities, the economy was completely destroyed.
In ancient times, this territory was called nothing more than the "Land of the Gods". Eritrea could be a worthy competitor to Egypt and Greece, because it has a huge potential for the development of tourism: the unique nature and underwater world of the Red Sea, historical monuments, catacomb cities. Alas, as a result of hostilities, a significant part of the historical heritage was destroyed.
About 80% of the population is involved in agriculture, livestock breeding and fishing. There is an acute shortage of clean fresh water in the country, which is why people are prone to intestinal infections. Another big problem in the country is illiteracy: only 60% of the population can read and write.
4th place - Liberia, GDP ─ 703 $
Two civil wars, which lasted a total of 10 years, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and practically destroyed the country's economy. According to statistics, about 90% of Liberians live on $1.3 a day. Unemployment is rampant in the country. One source of income is tolls on merchant ships for the use of the Liberian flag. Previously, there was an export of coffee, timber, diamonds.
3rd place - Democratic Republic of the Congo, GDP - $648
Previously, the state was known as Zaire, since the Republic of the Congo is located in the neighborhood, these two countries are often confused. In 2012, according to the DRC IMF, the Congo was the poorest country in the world. In 2016-2017 much remains the same. During the hostilities in the Congo, 5.4 million people died. The armies of 7 different states participated in the war, and the death toll was sometimes more than 40,000 people a day.
Almost 70% of the population suffers from hunger. Congo is perhaps one of the few remaining places on Earth where cannibal tribes exist. Eating people is one of the ways to survive in the country. 71 million people live in the state, 4.1% are infected with HIV. Locals believe that you can be cured of the disease if you spend the night with a virgin.
Therefore, the Congo is considered the most dangerous place in the world for women: the country occupies a leading position in the number of rapes.
2nd place - Burundi, GDP - $642
We can say that this is the most impoverished country. The main reason for the plight is constant wars. 50% of the territory is occupied by arable land and 36% is occupied by pastures. The main export products are coffee and tea. The main part of the population is involved in agriculture, the industry is very poorly developed.
More than half of Burundians live in poverty. Children are underweight. Due to the lack of medicines and medical staff, outbreaks of cholera and meningitis periodically occur, and death is a frequent occurrence. There is only one university in the country, more than half of the population is not literate.
There are no railways in Burundi, there are almost no paved roads, only 20,000 cars. A mobile phone is a luxury. Out of 1,000 residents, only 20 people have a cell phone, and only 5 are happy owners of a computer.
