2025 Ranking of the Most Fragile Economies: South Sudan remains the poorest country in the world

According to the latest per capita GDP data, the list of the most economically vulnerable nations in 2025 reveals a concerning concentration of poverty, particularly on the African continent.

The most critical: the heart of the economic crisis

South Sudan remains the poorest country in the world with a per capita GDP of only $251, followed by Yemen (417 $) and Burundi (490 $). These three nations face major structural economic challenges, some worsened by political instability and recurring conflicts.

Sub-Saharan Africa: the epicenter of poverty

The Central African Republic completes the top 5 with $532, while Malawi (580 $) and Madagascar (595 $) are among the most impoverished nations. Sudan (625 $), Mozambique (663 $), DRC (743 $), and Niger (751 $) are also in this particularly vulnerable group, revealing that sub-Saharan Africa concentrates the majority of the world’s lowest economies.

A global hierarchy of poverty

Beyond the top 10 positions, Somalia (766 $), Nigeria (807 $), Liberia (908 $), and Sierra Leone (916 $) maintain extremely low per capita GDP levels. Mali (936 $), The Gambia (988 $), and Chad (991 $) complete this list of the poorest countries in West and Central Africa.

Beyond Africa: other affected regions

Myanmar (1 177 $) and Nepal (1 458 $) represent the most economically fragile Asian nations, while Timor-Leste (1 491 $) and Cambodia (2 870 $) complete this regional picture. Haiti (2 672 $) remains the poorest nation in the Americas, reflecting ongoing challenges in the Caribbean region.

Perspectives and future challenges

This geography of poverty based on per capita GDP highlights deep disparities. While South Sudan remains the poorest country in the world with $251 per inhabitant, nations like India (2 878 $) and Côte d’Ivoire (2 872 $) are beginning to emerge, showing that some developing countries are gradually progressing, even though the path remains long for the most vulnerable.