GDP per capita presents greater than only a snapshot of a rustic’s financial output, it quietly speaks to the lived realities of its folks.
In lots of African international locations, it reveals the continued wrestle to translate wealthy potential into shared prosperity, the place progress is commonly uneven and improvement gaps stay large.
In response to 2025 estimates from the International Monetary Fund, South Sudan ranks because the poorest nation on the earth, with a GDP per capita of simply $251. To place that into perspective, it’s lower than what many individuals throughout the globe spend on groceries in a single month, a reminder of the deep inequalities that persist in our world.
Much more stunning, India, one of many world’s largest economies by complete GDP, additionally makes the listing, rating because the fiftieth poorest nation with a GDP per capita of $2,878. It’s a uncommon case the place a world financial big reveals simply how erratically wealth will be distributed, with excessive output general however low revenue per individual.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous and 4th largest, is in the same boat, rating twelfth poorest with a GDP per capita of $807. Each instances present how giant populations can masks the struggles of on a regular basis residents within the GDP-per-capita metric.
However the hole between the poorest and even the reasonably poor international locations is staggering.
South Sudan’s $251 per capita revenue is only a fraction, roughly one-eleventh, of India’s, regardless of each touchdown on the identical listing.
Not surprisingly, Sub-Saharan Africa dominates the rankings. Persistent battle, weak establishments, and restricted industrial improvement proceed to carry again revenue development throughout the area. A number of international locations from South Asia and the Pacific additionally seem, however Africa stays probably the most seen.
What’s much more putting is Africa’s broader financial place on the earth. The continent holds 19% of the worldwide inhabitants, but contributes solely 3% to the $113 trillion world financial system.
Beneath are the highest 10 poorest African international locations by GDP per capita in 2025:
Rank | Nation | Area | GDP Per Capita (2025) |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
🇸🇸 South Sudan |
Africa |
$251 |
2 |
🇾🇪 Yemen |
Center East |
$417 |
3 |
🇧🇮 Burundi |
Africa |
$490 |
4 |
🇨🇫 Central |
Africa |
$532 |
5 |
🇲🇼 Malawi |
Africa |
$580 |
6 |
🇲🇬 Madagascar |
Africa |
$595 |
7 |
🇸🇩 Sudan |
Africa |
$625 |
8 |
🇲🇿 Mozambique |
Africa |
$663 |
9 |
🇨🇩 DRC |
Africa |
$743 |
10 |
🇳🇪 Niger |
Africa |
$751 |