The 50 Poorest Countries by GDP Per Capita in 2025

In 2025, many countries continue to face economic challenges, reflected in their low GDP per capita—a critical indicator of average individual income and economic health. While global growth has recovered in parts of the world, these nations remain economically vulnerable due to factors like conflict, political instability, climate shocks, and underdeveloped infrastructure.

This article presents a comprehensive list of the 50 poorest countries in 2025 by GDP per capita, along with insights into key regional trends and causes of poverty.

What Is GDP Per Capita and Why It Matters

GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s Gross Domestic Product by its population. It offers a rough estimate of the standard of living and economic well-being of the average citizen.

• A low GDP per capita often indicates widespread poverty.
• It also suggests low productivity, limited infrastructure, and often poor access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Top 50 Poorest Countries in 2025 (By GDP Per Capita)

Poorest Nations by GDP Per Capita in 2025 (USD)

Rank	Country	GDP per Capita (USD)
1	South Sudan	$251
2	Yemen	$417
3	Burundi	$490
4	Central African Republic	$532
5	Malawi	$580
6	Madagascar	$595
7	Sudan	$625
8	Mozambique	$663
9	Democratic Republic of the Congo	$743
10	Niger	$751
11	Somalia	$766
12	Nigeria	$807
13	Liberia	$908
14	Sierra Leone	$916
15	Mali	$936
16	Gambia	$988
17	Chad	$991
18	Rwanda	$1,043
19	Togo	$1,053
20	Ethiopia	$1,066
21	Lesotho	$1,098
22	Burkina Faso	$1,107
23	Guinea-Bissau	$1,126
24	Myanmar	$1,177
25	Tanzania	$1,280
26	Zambia	$1,332
27	Uganda	$1,338
28	Tajikistan	$1,432
29	Nepal	$1,458
30	Timor-Leste	$1,491
31	Benin	$1,532
32	Comoros	$1,702
33	Senegal	$1,811
34	Cameroon	$1,865
35	Guinea	$1,904
36	Laos	$2,096
37	Zimbabwe	$2,199
38	Congo (Brazzaville)	$2,356
39	Solomon Islands	$2,379
40	Kiribati	$2,414
41	Kenya	$2,468
42	Mauritania	$2,478
43	Ghana	$2,519
44	Papua New Guinea	$2,565
45	Haiti	$2,672
46	Bangladesh	$2,689
47	Kyrgyz Republic	$2,747
48	Cambodia	$2,870
49	Côte d’Ivoire	$2,872
50	India	$2,878

Regional Overview

Africa Dominates the List

• Over 30 countries from Sub-Saharan Africa are among the world’s poorest.
• Causes include political conflict, corruption, poor infrastructure, and heavy reliance on agriculture.

Asia’s Struggling Economies

• Countries like Yemen, Myanmar, and Nepal reflect the struggle of regions plagued by civil unrest or lacking industrial development.
• India and Bangladesh, despite large economies, still have low per capita income due to population size and income inequality.

Island Nations and Small States

• Nations like Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Comoros struggle with isolation, climate risks, and economic limitations due to small domestic markets.