South Sudan: the poorest country in 2025 according to GDP per capita

What is the poorest country in the world? According to 2025 data on gross domestic product per capita, South Sudan ranks first with only $251 annually per person. This figure highlights the staggering economic disparities that characterize our planet and raises fundamental questions about the causes of extreme poverty in certain regions of the globe.

What is the poorest country in the world?

South Sudan sadly holds the top spot among the least wealthy countries in 2025. With a GDP per capita of $251, this young African nation faces major economic challenges. Immediately following are Yemen ($417), Burundi ($490), and the Central African Republic ($532). These four countries are experiencing critical economic situations, characterized by chronic political instability, internal conflicts, or underexploited natural resources.

Malawi ($580), Madagascar ($595), and Sudan ($625) complete the top 7 of the most disadvantaged nations. Each of these countries is going through a period of particular economic difficulties, oscillating between humanitarian crises, lack of infrastructure, and dependence on fragile economic sectors.

The ten least wealthy nations in terms of per capita wealth

Beyond South Sudan, the list reveals a troubling concentration of extreme poverty. Mozambique ($663), the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($743), and Niger ($751) join the ranking of the most fragile economies. These three countries illustrate the specific challenges of sub-Saharan Africa, where abundant natural resources do not necessarily translate into broadly shared prosperity.

Somalia ($766), Nigeria ($807), and Liberia ($908) are also among the poorest. Although Nigeria has a massive population and significant oil resources, its GDP per capita remains derisory, reflecting an unequal distribution of national wealth.

Geographic distribution of global poverty

Analysis of the 50 poorest countries reveals a striking geographic pattern: sub-Saharan Africa overwhelmingly dominates this ranking. Sierra Leone ($916), Mali ($936), The Gambia ($988), and Chad ($991) continue this African trend. However, Asian nations like Myanmar ($1,177), Tajikistan ($1,432), and Nepal ($1,458) remind us that extreme poverty is not limited to a single continent.

The list continues with countries like Timor-Leste ($1,491), Benin ($1,532), and the Comoros ($1,702). Further down the ranking, Senegal ($1,811), Cameroon ($1,865), and Guinea ($1,904) maintain exceptionally low GDP per capita, while Laos ($2,096) and Zimbabwe ($2,199) mark the threshold of $2,000.

Income disparities: a growing gap

The contrast between the poorest and richest countries on the planet is staggering. While South Sudan generates $251 per capita annually, developed nations generate several times more. This disparity highlights structural inequalities in the global economy and raises urgent questions about sustainable development and international aid.

The 50 countries listed in this poverty ranking collectively face systemic obstacles: lack of education, insufficient infrastructure, fragile governance, and limited access to capital. Understanding which country is the poorest and why is essential for developing effective development strategies and addressing global humanitarian issues.