Africa is still one of the poorest regions in the world. It has a low rate of literacy, poverty, health, infrastructure, and other factors that contribute to low GDP per capita. In this article, we will look at the poorest countries in Africa based on GDP per Capita
Africa is home to 54 countries, making it one of the largest continents on Earth. The continent covers an area of 30.37 million km² making it larger than China, Russia, or India put together. Despite its vast size and resources, Africa is still one of the poorest regions on the planet.
Its citizens have one of the lowest standards of living among the rest of the world. One of these aspects is the fact that there are over 40% of the population in the African continent that is unemployed. This statistic is staggering when you consider that the average unemployment rate for the rest of the world is about 4%.
The poorest countries in Africa are those with the lowest GDP per capita in 2022, according to a new study published by the World Bank. Here is a list of the 10 poorest countries in Africa, according to GDP per capita, in 2022.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Poorest Countries In Africa
Burundi
Burundi has a GDP per capita of $236.8 according to the World Bank.
Burundi is in East Africa, bordering the Republic of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. Burundi is one of the poorest countries in Africa with a GDP per capita of $236.8 according to the World Bank. The country has few and unexplored natural resources. About 70% of Burundians live in poverty and only 80 % have access to clean water and sanitation.
Somalia
Somalia has a GDP per capita of $445.8 according to the World Bank.
According to the United Nations, Somalia has a GDP per capita of $445.8.
Somalia has an estimated population of over 16.7 million people. Its capital is Mogadishu, and its largest city is Hargeisa. Somalia was founded in 1884 as the Anglo-French protectorate of British Somaliland, followed by Italian Somaliland and then French Somaliland.
During the 1960s, the region was known as Italian Somaliland. The Somali Republic was declared in 1960. Since then, the country has been involved in numerous civil wars. In 1991, the Somali Civil War began when warring parties failed to agree on the government’s composition.
Somalia has suffered from a lack of basic services, such as electricity, safe water, and sanitation services. Today some say that Somalia is a land of war and poverty with a lower GDP per capita.
Mozambique
Mozambique has a GPD per capita of $500.4 according to the World Bank
While some countries in Africa, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, are still struggling to meet basic human needs, Mozambique has grown rapidly since its independence from Portugal in 1975. Between 2009 and 2014, the country’s GDP increased by over 25 percent and reached 16.97 billion USD in 2013. Its economy grew by 7.8 percent between 2010 and 2015 and, more recently, the government has started to invest heavily in infrastructure development and the economy has seen a marked improvement in its business climate.
Despite the growth, from 2015 to 2019, the number of Mozambicans living in extreme poverty has increased from 55 to 60%.
The Central African Republic
The Central African Republic has a GDP per capita of $511.5 according to the World Bank.
The Central African Republic, a former French colony located in West Africa, is in the midst of civil war. With a GDP of $511.5 per capita and 0.94 billion U.S. dollars in national debt, the country could use a bit of investment to turn things around.
The Central African Republic government is frequently paralyzed, and there is no functioning justice system. A UN peacekeeping force currently patrols the country, but fighting continues. In March 2014, rebels took over the capital, overthrowing the country’s president, Francois Bozize. They seized the airport and blocked access to the main roads leading to the capital.
Madagascar
Madagascar has a GDP per capita of $514.9 according to the World Bank.
According to data from the World Bank, Madagascar is one of the poorest country in Africa. It has a GDP per capita of just $514.9. The country also has a high poverty rate of over 75 percent. It has the largest percentage of people living below the poverty line. The country’s economy relies heavily on foreign aid from the IMF and the World Bank.
The government is struggling with high inflation, a declining currency, and an unsustainable level of debt. As a result, the country suffers from extreme poverty and malnutrition. This is because, according to the World Bank, nearly 75% of the population lives on less than $1.90 per day.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has a GDP per capita of $515.9 according to the World Bank.
Sierra Leone gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is estimated to be around $515.9, placing it near the bottom of the GDP per capita ranking in Africa. Sierra Leone was a relatively wealthy nation until the civil war broke out in 1991. From 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone witnessed 70,000 casualties and 2.6 million displaced people.
Since then, the economy has been ravaged by the conflict, leaving millions of people without homes or basic services. The government rebuilding the nation but there is still a long road ahead of them. In 2022, the World Bank ranked Sierra Leone as one of the world’s poorest countries.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Democratic Republic of Congo has a GDP per capita of $584.1 according to the World Bank.
DRC is located in Central Africa and borders Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest country in Africa with a gross domestic product per capita of $584.1.
With a population of more than 89.56 million, it is the 4th most populous country in Africa. 45.64 percent of the population lives in urban areas, with more than 72% living in poverty.
Niger
Niger Has a GPD per capita of $594.9 according to the World Bank.
According to the World Bank, Niger is among the poorest countries in Africa. Its GDP per capita is $594.9. Niger is ranked the 8th poorest country in the world. With a population of 24.21 million people, Niger is one of the least developed countries in the world. It ranks below even the likes of Mozambique, Burundi, Somalia, and DRC.
The United Nations Development Program ranks Niger as having the highest youth unemployment rate in the entire continent. At the same time, the government’s development efforts are failing to improve living conditions. With a current GDP growth of 1.5 percent annual growth, the government cannot adequately address the needs of its citizens.
Eritrea
Eritrea Has a GDP per capita of $642.5 according to the World Bank.
Eritrea is one of the poorest countries in Africa with a gross domestic product per capita of $642.5. The country’s government controls all aspects of its citizens’ lives including personal security, health care, education, and the economy.
There is little political freedom and no freedom of religion or speech. According to Human Rights Watch, Eritrean authorities have continued their practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals, including for prolonged periods, in a secret detention center on a military base, without due process and often without access to legal counsel or family members.
Malawi
Malawi has a GDP per capita of $642.7 according to the World Bank.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa with a GDP per capita of just over $642.7. The United Nations reports that, in 2022, just over half of Malawians live below the poverty line. The rate is expected to increase due to an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare services.
With a population of 19.13 million people, its economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid and food imports. Malawi exports raw cotton, cut flowers, tobacco, and processed tobacco. That is inadequate to save millions from poverty.
Final thought: Poorest Countries In Africa
The continent of Africa has been plagued by poverty and instability for years. The African Development Bank states that majority of Africans live in poverty. According to the World Bank, nearly 70% of the population lives on less than $ 2 a day. While, the struggle for the development of Africa is currently championed by ordinary Africans, many scholars are of the opinion that the under-development of Africa is partly due to the effect of colonization of Africa by foreign Countries.