These Are the Poorest Countries In the World

Income

Published: March 12, 2024 9:50 am

Economists have several ways to measure wealth and economy size, some better suited for comparison between countries than others. For example, gross domestic product (GDP) is a very popular measure, but it fails to account for domestic, unpaid work and does not include well-being measures. Gross national income (GNI), while it has similar limitations, at least considers income also from outside the country and therefore perhaps better reflects a country’s income.

For this reason, 24/7 Wall St. chose GNI per capita data from the World Bank to rank countries and determine the poorest ones in the world.

The World Bank estimates GNI per capita using several ways, but we chose the purchasing power parity method, which also takes into account the ability to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country. Using this measure, we ranked 193 countries with available current data. Figures are in current international dollars. We listed the 41 countries with GNIs per capita of less than $5,000. All additional data came from the World Bank. (The World Bank calculates GDP growth rate of GDP in local currency units.)

To understand how poor these countries are, the average world GNI per capita is $20,593, while the U.S.’s is $77,950. These poorest countries tend to face significant challenges in their economic development and their populations’ well-being. They grapple with issues such as extreme poverty, limited access to health care and education, political instability, and environmental pressures. Thirty countries on the list are located in sub-Saharan Africa, while five are are small island countries in Oceania, such as Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Micronesia.

We added measures of average life expectancy at birth and average annual population growth since 2000 to highlight mounting challenges. For comparison, the average life expectancy worldwide is 71.3 years, while the world’s population growth is 1.2% a year. Many of the countries on the list have lower life expectancy and higher population growth.

So which is the poorest country? Burundi, located in sub-Saharan Africa, is the only country on the list with a GNI per capita of less than $1,000. Its 12th highest population growth and 30th lowest life expectancy contribute to its challenges. (Also see: The Most Corrupt Country in the World.)

Finally, it is also important to note that the list is conspicuously missing Yemen, Eritrea, and South Sudan, which often rank among the poorest countries but have no current data.

41. Myanmar

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,910
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $62.3 billion (#85 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.0% (#96 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 65.7 years (#143 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 0.8% (#125 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 54,179,306
Region: Eastern and South-Eastern Asia

40. Nepal

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,750
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $40.8 billion (#97 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +5.6% (#55 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 68.5 years (#129 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 1.0% (#115 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 30,547,580
Region: Central and Southern Asia

39. Timor-Leste

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,740
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $3.2 billion (#162 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: -20.5% (#190 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 67.7 years (#131 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 1.9% (#58 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 1,341,296
Region: Eastern and South-Eastern Asia

38. Cameroon

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,330
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $43.6 billion (#94 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +3.6% (#111 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 60.3 years (#172 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.8% (#26 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 27,914,536
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

37. Micronesia, Federated States

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,280
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $0.4 billion (#184 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: -0.8% (#174 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 70.7 years (#109 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 0.1% (#163 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 114,164
Region: Oceania

36. Papua New Guinea

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,180
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $31.6 billion (#101 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +5.2% (#65 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 65.4 years (#144 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.8% (#26 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 10,142,619
Region: Oceania

35. Sudan

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,150
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $51.7 billion (#87 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: -1.0% (#175 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 65.3 years (#146 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.6% (#35 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 46,874,204
Region: Northern Africa and Western Asia

34. Sao Tome and Principe

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,110
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $0.5 billion (#183 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +0.1% (#172 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 67.6 years (#132 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.1% (#53 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 227,380
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

33. Senegal

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,060
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $27.7 billion (#107 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.2% (#93 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 67.1 years (#137 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.6% (#35 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 17,316,449
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

32. Congo, Rep.

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,050
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $15.8 billion (#127 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +1.5% (#162 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 63.5 years (#154 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.9% (#19 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 5,970,424
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

31. Benin

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $4,020
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $17.4 billion (#123 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +6.3% (#48 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 59.8 years (#174 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.9% (#19 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 13,352,864
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

30. Zambia

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,980
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $29.2 billion (#105 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +5.2% (#61 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 61.2 years (#168 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.2% (#12 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 20,017,680
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

29. Kiribati

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,870
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $0.2 billion (#186 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +1.6% (#160 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 67.4 years (#134 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 1.8% (#63 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 131,232
Region: Oceania

28. Comoros

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,850
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $1.2 billion (#175 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +2.4% (#147 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 63.4 years (#155 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.0% (#55 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 836,774
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

27. Vanuatu

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,780
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $1.1 billion (#178 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +1.8% (#154 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 70.4 years (#112 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.4% (#43 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 326,740
Region: Oceania

26. Haiti

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,310
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $20.3 billion (#115 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: -1.7% (#179 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 63.2 years (#156 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 1.5% (#77 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 11,584,996
Region: Latin America and the Caribbean

25. Lesotho

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,190
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $2.2 billion (#167 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +1.1% (#165 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 53.1 years (#187 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 0.6% (#134 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 2,305,825
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

24. Tanzania

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $3,050
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $75.7 billion (#74 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.6% (#82 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 66.2 years (#138 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.9% (#19 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 65,497,748
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

23. Guinea

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,870
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $21.0 billion (#113 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.7% (#78 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 58.9 years (#182 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.3% (#50 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 13,859,341
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

22. Ethiopia

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,800
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $126.8 billion (#60 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +5.3% (#58 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 65.0 years (#147 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.8% (#26 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 123,379,924
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

21. Rwanda

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,730
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $13.3 billion (#136 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +8.2% (#25 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 66.1 years (#140 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.4% (#43 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 13,776,698
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

20. Solomon Islands

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,670
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $1.6 billion (#172 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: -4.1% (#183 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 70.3 years (#114 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.4% (#43 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 724,273
Region: Oceania

19. Uganda

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,640
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $45.6 billion (#91 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.6% (#81 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 62.7 years (#158 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.1% (#17 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 47,249,585
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

18. Togo

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,610
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $8.3 billion (#148 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +5.8% (#50 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 61.6 years (#165 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.6% (#35 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 8,848,699
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

17. Zimbabwe

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,550
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $27.4 billion (#108 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +6.5% (#42 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 59.3 years (#179 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 1.5% (#77 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 16,320,537
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

16. Gambia, The

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,460
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $2.2 billion (#169 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.3% (#88 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 62.1 years (#161 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.9% (#19 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 2,705,992
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

15. Burkina Faso

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,440
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $18.8 billion (#120 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +1.8% (#156 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 59.3 years (#177 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.9% (#19 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 22,673,762
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

14. Mali

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,420
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $18.8 billion (#119 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +3.7% (#106 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 58.9 years (#181 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.2% (#12 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 22,593,590
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

13. Sierra Leone

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,250
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $4.1 billion (#156 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +3.5% (#113 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 60.1 years (#173 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.9% (#19 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 8,605,718
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

12. Guinea-Bissau

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $2,220
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $1.6 billion (#171 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +3.5% (#112 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 59.7 years (#175 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.4% (#43 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 2,105,566
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

11. Madagascar

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,730
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $15.3 billion (#131 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +3.8% (#102 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 64.5 years (#149 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.7% (#32 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 29,611,714
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

9. Malawi

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,700
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $13.2 billion (#137 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +0.9% (#167 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 62.9 years (#157 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.7% (#32 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 20,405,317
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

9. Somalia

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,700
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $10.4 billion (#145 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +2.4% (#145 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 55.3 years (#185 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.2% (#12 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 17,597,511
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

8. Afghanistan

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2021: $1,680
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2021: $14.3 billion (#134 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: -20.7% (#191 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 62.0 years (#162 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.4% (#10 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 41,128,771
Region: Central and Southern Asia

7. Chad

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,640
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $12.7 billion (#141 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +2.2% (#149 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 52.5 years (#189 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.5% (#8 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 17,723,315
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

6. Liberia

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2021: $1,470
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $4.0 billion (#157 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.8% (#75 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 60.7 years (#170 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.8% (#26 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 5,302,681
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

5. Niger

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,380
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $15.3 billion (#130 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +11.5% (#8 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 61.6 years (#166 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.7% (#5 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 26,207,977
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

4. Congo, Dem. Rep.

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,290
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $64.7 billion (#83 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +8.9% (#17 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 59.2 years (#180 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.2% (#12 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 99,010,210
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

3. Mozambique

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,210
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $18.4 billion (#121 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +4.4% (#86 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 59.3 years (#176 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 2.8% (#26 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 32,969,518
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

2. Central African Republic

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $1,030
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $2.4 billion (#165 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +0.5% (#169 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 53.9 years (#186 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 1.8% (#63 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 5,579,144
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

1. Burundi

Gross national income per capita (PPP method), 2022: $840
Gross domestic product (current USD), 2022: $3.3 billion (#161 highest of 193 countries)
GDP growth: +1.8% (#153 highest of 193 countries)
Avg. life expectancy at birth, 2021: 61.7 years (#163 highest of 193 countries)
Avg annual population growth, 2000-2022: 3.2% (#12 highest of 193 countries)
Population, 2022: 12,889,576
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

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Read more: Income, africa, burundi, central african republic, congo, GNI per capita, gross national income per capita, poor countries, poorest countries, Poverty, sub-sahara africa

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