Nine of the World's Poorest Countries Are in Africa, Burundi Tops List in 2026
Burundi ranks as the poorest country globally with a GDP per capita PPP of $994 in 2026, as nine of the ten poorest nations remain in Africa.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 24, 2026
2 min read
According to 2026 data on GDP per capita measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), nine of the world's ten poorest countries are in Africa, highlighting ongoing economic challenges on the continent.
Burundi Leads as Poorest Nation
Burundi ranks lowest globally with a per capita PPP of $994. The landlocked country continues to recover from a civil war that ended in 2005. Approximately 80% of its 14 million people depend on subsistence farming, with food insecurity nearly double the sub-Saharan average.
Other Countries in the Bottom Ten
- Central African Republic: Second poorest at $1,438 PPP per capita, despite rich natural resources like gold, oil, uranium, and diamonds. Persistent militia control hampers economic growth.
- South Sudan: Third, with $1,467 PPP per capita. The economy relies heavily on oil exports, which make up 90% of government revenue. However, ongoing conflict and pipeline disruptions have deepened poverty, affecting nearly 90% of the population.
- Yemen, Mozambique, Malawi, Somalia, Liberia, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo complete the list, all with GDP per capita PPP below $2,100.
Widening Global Inequality
The International Monetary Fund warns that the gap between rich and poor nations is expanding. Factors such as climate change, conflicts, and unequal access to technology exacerbate this divide. In contrast, the average GDP per capita PPP in the world's ten richest countries exceeds $121,000.
