I looked at the per capita GDP figures for 2025, and it’s really striking to see just how huge the gaps are. The 50 poorest countries in the world are concentrated mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

South Sudan ranks first with only $251 per capita, followed by Yemen at $417 and Burundi at $490. It’s crazy when you think that, in some developed countries, that’s the GDP for one week per person. The DRC, Niger, and Somalia are also among the lowest, at $743, $751, and $766 respectively.

In South Asia, you have Myanmar at $1,177, Nepal at $1,458, and Bangladesh at $2,689. Even India, with its $2,878, still remains among the poorest on average per capita, showing clearly that overall figures can hide massive inequalities within countries.

This ranking of the 50 poorest countries in the world reminds us that despite global economic growth, entire regions are still trapped in extreme poverty. The challenges are enormous for these economies.