I just reviewed an analysis of the poorest countries with the lowest GDP per capita in 2025, and it’s quite revealing to see how extreme poverty is concentrated. South Sudan leads with just $251, followed by Yemen with $417 and Burundi with $490. What stands out most is that nearly 80% of these poor countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The list is quite harsh: Central African Republic, Malawi, Madagascar, Sudan, Mozambique, and the DRC all below $750. Somalia, Nigeria, and Liberia are also among the lowest. Then you have some Asian countries like Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Laos that are also very lagging behind, but the trend is clear.

The interesting part is that around the middle of the list, countries with a bit more stability start to appear: Kenya, Ghana, Haiti, Bangladesh. But when we look at the context, these poor countries still face enormous challenges in infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities. It’s definitely a reminder of why global economic gaps remain a critical issue.