The 10 Poorest Countries Of The World

Arijit Karmakar / Nov 22, 2008

The level of economy in countries around the globe is not even. It is somewhere very high and somewhere very low. GDP, literacy rate and employment rate are several parameters of a country to determine the level of its economy. According to a report of the United Nations, hunger causes the death of about 25,000 people everyday. Unfortunately, the number of children is greater than that of adults. Consider several facts of income disparity between rich and poor nations to measure the cleavage between the haves and the haves not. The combined income of the world’s richest individuals leaves far behind that of the poorest 416 million. 982 million out of 4.8 billion people in the developing world live on $1 a day. Another 2.5 billion live on below $2 a day. 40% of the poorest population made up 5% of world income while 20% of the richest population made up 75% of global income in 2005.

A country with a GDP per capita of $765 dollars or less is defined as a low-income or poor country. You may wonder why poor countries remain poor. Some interrelated factors like geography, industrialization, colonialism, education, resources, infrastructure, overpopulation, investment, government and debt make poor countries remain the heavy foot of poverty.

Look into the fragile features of the ten poorest countries of the world.

10. Ethiopia (GDP – per capita: $700)

“The Sadomo region of the Ethiopia is known for producing the best coffee second to Harar….Make Trade Fair!” – mcandrea

Ethiopia ranks 170 out of 177 the poorest countries on the Human Development Index (UNDP HDI 2006). Half of its GDP depends on agricultural activity. The agricultural sector suffers lowdown because of poor cultivation techniques and frequent drought. 50% of its population 74.7 million bears the burden of poverty and 80% lives on bread line. 47% of males and 31% of females are literate. Some parts of Ethiopia run a high risk of hepatitis A, hepatitis E, typhoid fever, malaria, rabies, meningococcal meningitis and schistosomiasis.

09. Niger (GDP – per capita: $700)

Niger with a population of 12.5 million is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Drought is a common natural calamity in Niger. It often undergoes a phase of severe food crisis. 63% of its total population lives on below $1 a day. Adult literacy rate is as low as 15%. Life expectancy spans up to 46 years. A number of people die of hepatitis A, diarrhea, malaria, meningococcal meningitis and typhoid fever.

“Escaping from poverty”

08. Central African Republic (GDP – per capita: $700)

“Rebel in northern Central African Republic”

The Central African Republic ranks 171 as a poor country. Agriculture is the backbone of its unstable economy. Life expectancy of its meager population 4.3 ranges from 43.46 to 43.62 years. 13.5% of its population is at risk of AIDS.

“Boy in front of destroyed homes in Ngaoundaye, Central African Republic. Since early 2007, the troubled region has been caught up in fighting between APRD rebels and government troops.” – hdptcar

07. Guinea-Bissau (GDP – per capita: $600)

“Africa, Guinea-Bissau, Bijene, January 2005. Mbemba Djaló, 13 years young, earns some extra cash after school, running his little shop at the veranda of an abandoned colonial house. Photography by Ernst Schade” – ernst schade

The rank of Guinea Bissau as a poor country is 172. Farming and fishing are the only pillars of its economy. The level of income is not even in all parts of the country. About 10% of its adult population is at risk of HIV.

06. Union of the Comoros (GDP – per capita: $600)

Population growth and unemployment at a high rate are responsible for the poor economy of Union of the Comoros. Population density at a rate of 1000 per square km in agriculture zones may result in an environmental crisis. Agricultural contribution to its GDP is 40%. The low level of education has raised the level of labor force. Economy mainly depends on foreign grants.

05. Republic of Somalia (GDP – per capita: $600)

“Sixteen million people in eastern Africa are in need of emergency food aid and the threat of starvation is severe, according to FAO’s latest report on the Food Supply Situation and Crop Prospects in sub-Saharan Africa.” – ☠ ● qυєєη σƒ яσ¢к ● ☠

Agriculture is the base of the economy of Republic of Somalia in the Horn of Africa. Nomads and semi-nomads comprise a major part of the population. Rearing livestock is the primary source of livelihood for them. The small agricultural industry contributes 10% to its GDP.

“Mogadishu. October 2004. View of Mogadishu north. Mogadishu is the place where effects of the conflict are more striking. There are arround 400.000 internally displaced persons. Access to health structures is quite impossible for the danger to circulate in the streets where combats are on-going and all type infrastructures have disapeared: water, sanitation, schools… The absence of state during more than 13 years has made impossible any investment in public structures. It is estimated that around 72% of Somalia’s population lacks access to basic healthcare services and the healthcare system is in ruins.” – abdisalla

04. The Solomon Islands (GDP – per capita: $600)

“Solomon Islands Tsunami — Minister whose church was washed away”

The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia. Fishing holds its domestic economy. Above 75% of the labor class, is involved in fishing. Timber was the main product for export until 1998. Palm oil and copra are important cash crops for export. The Solomon Islands are rich in mineral resources like zinc, lead, gold and nickel.

03. Republic of Zimbabwe (GDP – per capita: $500)

“The expression on these guys faces says a million things, weak from hunger and too poor to own shoes or have a shirt to wear. This is all because of the tyrant they call a president.
A beautiful country ruined because of one mans greed. ” – Mr Sean

Republic of Zimbabwe is located between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers in the south of Africa. Its economy suffers a slowdown due to supply shortage, soaring inflation and foreign exchange shortage. Zimbabwe’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo left its economy fragile. The worst consequence of the knelt-down economy is unemployment that is as high as 80%.

“March, 5, 2008. The Zimbabwean currency tumbled to a record 25 million dollars for a single US dollar”

02. Republic of Liberia (GDP – per capita: $500)

“MONROVIA, LIBERIA – NOVEMBER 12, 2006 : Young Liberian boy standing on Randal street in Monrovia looks through a hole in a garbage filled car that has been turned on its side and salvaged fro spare parts. ( Photo by: Christopher Herwig )” – herwigphoto.com

Republic of Liberia on the west coast of Africa is one of the ten poorest economies across the globe. A decline in the export of commodities, the flight of many investors from the country, the unjust exploitation of the country’s diamond resource, looting and war profiteering during the civil war in 1990 brought the economy of the country to its knees. External debt of the country is more than its GDP.

“Liberia: Government child soldiers,Ganta; on the back of their truck is an anti-aircraft gun. © Teun Voeten, 2003.
Liberia’s decade-long civil war was fuelled by weapons imported in to the country in violation of a UN arms embargo. Shipments over three months in 2002 from a Serbian security company, for example, brought in enough bullets to kill the entire population of Liberia.” – controlarms

01. Republic of the Congo (GDP – per capita: $300)

“This picture shows what Kinshasa is: full of contradictions. The beauty of the sunlight, nature, happy people contrasts with the filth on the streets, disorganisation, poverty… These two persons seem to stand there, in the middle of all that. Can they push the country forward… Are they part of a generation that will one day live in a modern Democratic Republic of Congo, freed of all suffering and pain?” – fredogaza

Republic of the Congo in Central Africa is the last at the bottom of the economic heaps. Depreciation of Franc Zone currencies, incredibly high levels of inflation in 1994, eruption of the civil war, and continuation of armed conflict and slumping oil price in 1998 broke down the economy of the country.

“A group of ‘kotelengana’, or former child soldiers, in DRC” – War Child UK

GDP – per capita (PPP) 2008 Country Ranks

SOURCE: CIA World Factbook 2008

Vanessa

I pray to God that all this nation will know the Lord Jesus Christ..Jesus is the only way who save all of them in their poverty.He can do allthings...Just believe Him only and accept as the SAVIOR..Know Him then He will deliver their poverty..He can do all things.

Tim Swope

Absolutely. Through God ALL things are possible.

w00t

If he can do all things then why are the people still poor when retarded missionaries come and shove their religion down their throat???

Christian

This people are still poor because only a few have excepted Jesus as their savior. The rest still follow the greed and blindness of satan. If you knew the problem of the world, you would not answer with such self-centered opinions. In case you didn't know it self-centerness is also from satan.

CedarCityDustin

You are a fool, there are some wonderful people out there who are very good Christians who love Jesus and are still poor. They're not judgmental bastards like you, you may say you're Christian, but you certainly don't act like it. You make me sick. Not all blessings are about money! You sound like a typical greedy American who's only concerned with money, and I know the type well, because I live here in America. Maybe you should look into what Christianity is really all about, because you got it wrong. Don't accuse people of being ungodly or self-centered because they're poor. Jesus loves everyone the same, whether they be good Christians, poor Africans who aren't of the Christian faith, or even self-righteous idiots like you!

Christian

You should understand the context of the discussion, before you start judging people. Oops thats what your calling me. The discussion isn't about money but about how people treat each other. It's also about the ridiculous statement that Christ is not the answer to the worlds problems. To say that there are poor christians out there is also a misunderstanding. Because as long as we have Christ we are rich. Your riches are beyond this world and all christians know. I think you need to reconsider your standing in Christ for you judged not only me, but all Americans as a stereo type.

CedarCityDustin

Yes, of course even the people who are financially poor, but are Christian, are rich with the light of Christ in their lives. I apologize if I misunderstood you, but you must understand that I live in Utah. And here in Utah, I'm driven crazy by this Mormon view that being righteous in your (Mormon) faith will make you financially wealthy, so many Mormons assume that wealthy Mormons must be righteous and Christ-like simply because they are wealthy, and that the financially poor Mormons are in such a state because they are unrighteous and/or sinful. This is simply NOT always the case, and it leads to pride and arrogance! I'm not Mormon myself, but live in a Mormon world, so I see it around me, and it has really turned me off to the Mormon Church, and church that claims to be Christ's true, correct Church, and the only completely true Christian Church on Earth. I just can't deal with it, or accept it as true. And sorry for judging all Americans, but I see American culture as greedy and all about getting more money, no matter how many people you have to leave financially ruined or injured in the gutters along the way! I am not like that, but American culture, ESPECIALLY Utah culture, is like that, and I will just not give in to being like that! Thank you for your reply. Please feel free to email me directly at utah.dustin@yahoo.com. Thank you Christian! Happy 2010!

christian

I understand your feelings and thank you for being open minded and honest. If the Morman church is the real church they would not teach such absurdities. Wealth is not the fore telling of a person's walk with Christ. Many prophets and servants of Christ were poor, from Noah to Christ himself. Speaking of prophets the morman's can not prove that their's (joesph smith) was one, on the simple fact that the Bible says that God will send prophets to the people of Israel and that they would be of their own people. Joesph smith was not an Israelite. I hope you can find a church family you can love and be love by. May Jesus help you and guide you in this. One last thing, God is keeping score on everybody, He will deal with the greedy and the unloving. We must show His truth in our lives.

boone

Alright this whole religion talk is ridiculus. Religion is a back out route for peope. They think that if they believe in god then their problems will disappear. No, thats not going to happen. Thats the problem with religion it fills peoples heads up with all this glorious shit and then nothing happens. You oblivoius people need to realize that this is about these peoples lives not some sick fun you two are getting out of this by arguing back and forth. The only way these countries can get better is to have the people in that region stand up and make the change. Religion isn't going to help them, they are going to have to help themselves.

christian

How are these people going to help themselves? Are they to follow the ways of them who were before them? How can a person do good if they don't know what good is? Those who live without Jesus Christ as their savior, live with a evil nature bent on doing evil. Only when we understand that evil is the way of satan and good is the way of God, can we make any change in any society. Excepting Jesus Christ as one's savior is the beginning of understanding, understanding that each one of us is evil by nature. Through Jesus we can change to have His nature and treat each other with respect and justice. You said religion is a way out; it is, it's a way out of evil and mistreatment of people, but it's not a way of hiding from our problems. Through God's word we will become a better society, for then we will know good.

Jesus is no the solution

christian, don't fool yourself. we all know that Jesus is jesus and he will always be our Jesus. but I think, it seem that he is more like a western Jesus. where do you think christianity came from? From the west!. They brought the Book (bible) and ask us to read, and he read, when we deep from the book, our land, and all the menerial deposite were ship to the west and for more than 300 years,africa and the rest of the developing world are still developing. when do you think the west or Jesus will cut the chain for africa to stop developing and bare her own juicy fruit? Does the west, that is advance developed accept jesus?, do japan, china and those other countries accept Jesus? Let be real.

ouiksol

accepting Jesus is not directly related to development of a country. development of a country is seen by our naked eyes, so it is physical.
but Jesus in you or in me is not seen. so it is not physical, it spiritual, it has to do with the mind. Jesus is in our thoughts.
and it is true that Jesus was brought to us from the Westerns, also development comes from the Westerns. everything, is mostly from the westerns, even the language we are using, education, modern medicine,cars, weapons, almost everything is from the westerns. even the money we use in our countries, the clothes we put on.
it is like, you have discovered something that your friends haven't. you can tell them or show your discovery, that is all the westerns did to us. and if you say that they shipped our good to the west.it's just they were smarter than our parents.
and also we should not ignore the condition undergone by europe in the past years. Europe and all those other developed countries are not born rich or developed! they just started like africa, no technology, no science. but they used their capabilities given equally by God to both white and black.
while the white were using their given knowledge to make life better and suitable, black were enjoying theirs in black magic, and wizard.
God gave power to both black and white. white people used theirs in the benefit of everyone, he who gets an idea develops it and leaves there for the future generation and so on, they materialized the ideas. but to black, he who gets an idea uses it for himself and does not reveal it, he prefers to die with his knowledge, and so on, life for africa stayed as he was in the beginning.
just like you and your brother are given same amount money by your father. your brother runs a small trading, but you, have used your money for everyday personal needs.
over some time, your brother's money is multiplying but yours is vanishing.
and as time keeps on passing, you have both had children, but you have no more money and life becomes hard for you and for your children. however your brother's money has so multiplied, he has become rich and his children are enjoying.
that is how are africa and the wersten countries. so who are u going to blame?

to answer your question that, japan, china and those other developed countries whether they have accepted or not:
first we should not that, God is God and there is only one God. the God prayed in asia, in the middle east ,in europe is that same God we pray in africa.
though the religions are different but God is religion so he cannot be different.
it is like the way we see black, white, yellow, or red race of people, they look very different, but that difference is only superficially, deeply we are the same since anatomy is the same. that is how our God. we should not rely on his name saying that, he is called Allah in islam or Jehovah in christianity or any other name. it is like you are given a name at birth by your parents, and if you change that name, you will not become a different person, you'll remain the same with same hair, same face, same voice...

and when you say Jesus is not the solution i can answer as follows:
Jesus does not come and put the bricks in our hands so that we build a university,no. he come and whispers in our ears, saying that why dont you do that in this way, if you do that like that, this is the result and if you do this other way this is the result. so jesus instructs only.
that is what i meant by development is not directly related to Jesus. but since development starts with the mind (spirit) and God works in our spirit then God can be indirectly related to development.
also africa lacks the love for one another.then they need Jesus who teaches brotherly love.

CedarCityDustin

racist

christian

My statement was that Jesus is for Africa and all the other countries, after all He created them, right. Africa's troubles are just like the rest of the world,( maybe more so ) corruption and self-seeking leaders who care nothing for the people. If Jesus was in the heart of all Africa's people, then there would be righteous people to vote for their leader and righteous leaders to vote for. It sounds like a paradise setting but it is possible, through Jesus. Our problem is not country against country, it's GOOD against evil. We must all learn to strive for good of our neighbor, then good will reign and peace on earth.

THE christian

dude.
believing in Jesus is not going to make the country rich.
where in the bible does it promise such a thing?
then why is it that Israel, the chosen country, had to live for a thousands of years without any land of the country?
what u get from having the personal relationship with Jesus is the eternal life.
the peace and the joy of knowing God.

christian

I never said believing in Jesus makes a person materially rich, but spiritual rich. Your question of Israel proofs my point. Israel was without a country, but God was always with them as long as they obeyed His word. When Israel obeyed God, God provided everything they needed. Eternal life and peace and joy of knowing God comes when we obey His word. Obey His word is a personal relationship.

joe

well lets just think about Satan you believe that if you do bad things then you go to hell with fire and all that. well if you do bad wouldn't Satan like you and help you because you were one of his boys. Your idea of Satan makes no sense as well as your belief in a God who controls all. So when things are good it is God who does it when things are bad well he works in mysterious ways what bullshit.

christian

We all do bad things, but when you except Jesus as your savior those bad things are forgiven. Thats what Jesus did for us, He paid the penalty of sin for us. If we don't except Jesus as our savior, then yes those will go to hell. God does not want anyone to go to hell thats why He sent Jesus. Satan will do what he can to keep us from heaven, if you read The gospel of Matthew chapter 4 verses 1 through 11 you will see satan offering Jesus everything to keep Jesus from fulfilling His mission. Satan offer Jesus, self ruling, fame and stardom and last the riches of the world, but Jesus denied all this because He loved us more and came to set us free from satan. All good things come from our father in heaven. What is good in His eye and time? Is it good for a child to die? We can't see the future so we don't know. Did those who flew into the twin towers do good? No, they lived under false teaching of evil. Even those who know not God know this.

helpthoseinneed

You are a complete weirdo. You know nothing about life, faith, survival and humanitarian support.

christian

If all you can do is falsely blame, then you need to take a look at yourself. For what is in the heart comes out the mouth.

Erich

Becouse you do nothing!

chrissie

God is not in controll of what the devil does he can stop him but he allows people to make choices. you are here to help you can't just stand there and say that this is all God's falt. it's not but even if you think that it is saying that is not gonna do anything to help don't get mad at me u were the 1 asken ~whith God all things are possable~ but he needs someone to work through. im goen there .... u no to help u should do something to help. think about it cuz God does need someone to work through to make things possible

snoozy

We are the body of Christ, we need to go out there and do something, we can't blame God for such things. Maybe if we could all make an effort to obey His commands He would start listening to ours?

chema

True Vasnessa, Only Jesus has the answer to that problematic. God bless you sister

Omar

Blessed are the Poor

JJ

I think your forgetting about god! They should pray to god not his apostle, or any other human...god

zachunger

If there was a God wouldn't he of done something already, before letting these places get like this??

christain

He did. He placed other human beings here to help.

Zach unger

That's fair, i don't not believe in God. i just think theres more to life :)

christian

That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone's duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (Ecclesiastes12:13-14) This was written by the riches man to ever live, he had palaces, ships, hundreds of wives, thousands of concubines. He eat the finest foods, drank the finest wines, where ever he went people adored him, if he had any; his enemies feared him. So is there more to life? Jesus said it this way; Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.(Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus calls for a decision, will we choose eternal treasures or temporary earthly treasures. Our enemy satan will always try to keep us from these treasures, it's up to you to weigh the evidence and make your decision. Only you will be accountable for your decision. My prayer is that you choose God.

ET fcbarcelona

If you don't know Ethiopia is one of the first places that Christianity began at. Ethiopia may be poor physically and earthly wise but they are the richest spiritually. By the way I like your comments they are very true and you seem like a very knowledgeable person about Christianity. Also those other countries are poor because they do not pray. Even if you are poor you can still live off of very little by the mercy of GOD. My advice to those countries and those people reading this is that prayer solves everything and even if you die, you will go to heaven.

ET fcbarcelona

Money doesn't matter. Your faith does.

christian

Thank you ET fcbarcelona, for your kind words. May God's guidance and blessings be with you.

andoni666

jesus sucks big dick, fuck, you have no critical thinking, how is a 2000 year old religion that has been changed hundrets of times of its original writings and has killed more people in name of god than in any war, has child molestors doesnt pay taxes and it is fucking imaginary gonna save this people. Plus they save jesus loves everyone, why shouldnt he help,, o vanessa you are a stupid cow.

et

Ill pray for you. You have serious problems. What you said is basically why he was crucified. You need big time help.

andoni666

well enjoy your science fiction reading.

christian

How blind are the blind! You choose evil and deny good. You choose evil for your very name, how blind are the blind. You choose evil without even examining the truth. Truly you walk in darkness, and darkness is where evil lives.

Amey

ohh yeahh???? and how is Jesus going to eradicate poverty???? people are dying from hunger and u r preaching them!!!!!lol.... u think they dont believe in Jesus hence they face these problems????? get a life..... actually, come back to the real practical life from u wonderland. Just believing in Jesus is not goin to get them any food and give them food and they'll believe in any god/ lord u say .... understand the truth of life...

christian

Jesus will eradicate poverty, when we learn that giving is better then receiving. Christians believe in Jesus and don't they send food and clothing to the poor. When is the last time the places you hang out at did?

The Polite Aethiest

When will people like you wake and realize that while there likely is some greater being praying to him will do nothing for you. I'd like to see every Christian on this damned earth say at least one time when something they prayed for happened and there was infallible proof that it was God

christian

Everything you have is from God, because He loves you. The things you desire and don't have is because you deny God. Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Who is it that gives? ( He, the Lord )

CK Sans Frontiers

Their faith is more devout than most people's, however Jesus appears to be only creating rabid fundamentalist brainwashed (usually American) zombies recently, that spout his name, as an answer to everything, instead of actually getting up and helping to solve the issue... CK. Congo, Africa.

christian

Maybe you can share with some of the things you are doing.

tomzitt

The connection between poverty and political instability is the main reason why these countries feature in the ten poorest. The governments of these countries are corrupt and are only interested in personal wealth. Consequently this results in looting and civil war. Furthermore the climate of these countries means that agriculture is a major concern (drought) and this leads to famine. The reason why the middle east is wealthy is because of its oil supplies- these african countries have very little to export which is of any value. Ironically, many people lived better lives in these countries under the British and French empires because that ensured some law and order in the country. (Although naturally slavery was immorally wrong). I don't understand this religion debate -it has very little to do with the reasons for poverty.

christian

The debate is that through Jesus, these corrupt governments could be put behind us. This includes all countries. When leaders are not self seeking and rule for the betterment of the people.

Allen

African we cant be serious at all,
how came people are living in this situation at the same time the same people are fighting each other. Why cant we stop concentrating on fighting instead giving all our efforts to increase production

yminic

Wow! This topic really struck a nerve. Take a Communication Studies class ( I took quite a number of these classes as that was my major in college) and learn how even something as seemingly benign as how the layout of railroad tracks in the U.S led to stops that became populated, developed towns, bringing supplies that led to growth. And how where the tracks did not exist, life was harder. Commercial interests and politics are usually (if not always) what dictate growth and prosperity. Unfortunately, the indigenous people of any given area are often without benefit.