I just reviewed a ranking of the poorest countries based on GDP per capita for 2025, and it’s quite revealing. Most are in Africa, clearly showing the ongoing global economic gaps.

The numbers are concerning: South Sudan tops the list with just $251, followed by Yemen with $417 and Burundi with $490. Then come the Central African Republic, Malawi, and Madagascar, all below $600. It’s shocking to see how these countries with the lowest GDP per capita face such severe economic challenges.

Further down the list are places like Nigeria ($807), Tanzania ($1,280), and Uganda ($1,338). Even nations in Asia like Myanmar ($1,177), Nepal ($1,458), and Bangladesh ($2,689) are among the most vulnerable economies on the planet.

What’s interesting is that although these data are from 2025, many of these countries still face similar structural limitations. The concentration of poverty in certain regions reflects historical issues of development, resource access, and political stability that are not solved overnight.