---
title: "Poorest African Countries: The Complete List"
url: https://33travels.com/poorest-african-countries/
author: "Lena Marchetti"
published: 2025-09-24
updated: 2026-04-06
place: "Africa"
---

# Poorest African Countries: The Complete List

Africa’s economies cover a wide spectrum, and looking at the lowest-income nations helps highlight where development and humanitarian efforts are most needed. This list is meant to give a straightforward snapshot rather than a deep economic analysis, so you can quickly see which countries face the biggest income and poverty challenges.

There are **20 Poorest African Countries**, ranging from Burkina Faso to Uganda, included to show that hardship appears across different regions and contexts. For each country, the Flag, GDP per capita (PPP, USD), and Poverty rate (%) are listed — you’ll find below.

## How is “poorest” determined in this list?

“Poorest” here is based on income and poverty indicators commonly used by economists: GDP per capita (PPP) to compare living standards and the poverty rate to show the share of people below national or international poverty lines. Using both gives a clearer picture than either metric alone.

## How current and reliable are the numbers shown?

Data typically comes from international sources (IMF, World Bank, UN) and national statistics; it can lag by a year or more and is revised periodically. Treat the list as a comparative snapshot and check original databases for the latest figures if you need precise, up-to-date values.

## Poorest African Countries

| Country | Flag | GDP per capita (PPP, USD) | Poverty rate (%) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Burundi | 🇧🇮 | 916 | 73.6 |
| South Sudan | 🇸🇸 | 1,072 | 82.0 |
| Central African Republic | 🇨🇫 | 1,126 | 66.3 |
| Somalia | 🇸🇴 | 1,343 | 48.2 |
| DR Congo | 🇨🇩 | 1,474 | 62.0 |
| Niger | 🇳🇪 | 1,577 | 50.6 |
| Mozambique | 🇲🇿 | 1,652 | 63.3 |
| Malawi | 🇲🇼 | 1,701 | 71.3 |
| Chad | 🇹🇩 | 1,788 | 39.8 |
| Liberia | 🇱🇷 | 1,789 | 35.5 |
| Madagascar | 🇲🇬 | 1,903 | 80.7 |
| Sierra Leone | 🇸🇱 | 2,080 | 25.5 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 🇬🇼 | 2,128 | 28.5 |
| Togo | 🇹🇬 | 2,427 | 28.6 |
| Burkina Faso | 🇧🇫 | 2,488 | 20.3 |
| Mali | 🇲🇱 | 2,581 | 14.5 |
| The Gambia | 🇬🇲 | 2,607 | 10.9 |
| Uganda | 🇺🇬 | 2,630 | 28.5 |
| Ethiopia | 🇪🇹 | 2,763 | 27.3 |
| Rwanda | 🇷🇼 | 2,836 | 51.9 |

## Images and Descriptions

![Burundi](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/burundi.jpg)

### Burundi

Burundi’s economy, with a 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) of $916, is hampered by political instability and its landlocked geography. Over 73% of its population lived on less than $2.15 a day in 2021, reflecting deep-seated poverty and reliance on subsistence agriculture.

![South Sudan](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/south_sudan.jpg)

### South Sudan

Ravaged by years of civil war, South Sudan is one of the world’s most fragile states. With a 2022 GDP per capita (PPP) estimated around $1,072, over 80% of its population faces extreme poverty (2016 data), relying heavily on humanitarian aid for survival.

![Central African Republic](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/central_african_republic.jpg)

### Central African Republic

The Central African Republic faces persistent insecurity and internal conflict, severely limiting economic activity. Its 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) is just $1,126, with over 66% of the population living in extreme poverty as of 2021, highlighting the devastating impact of instability.

![Somalia](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/somalia.jpg)

### Somalia

Decades of conflict and severe climate shocks like droughts have crippled Somalia’s economy. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $1,343 in 2023, while an estimated 48% of its people lived in extreme poverty as of 2022, depending heavily on remittances and international aid.

![DR Congo](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/dr_congo.jpg)

### DR Congo

Despite immense mineral wealth, the Democratic Republic of Congo suffers from conflict, corruption, and poor infrastructure. Its 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) is $1,474, with a staggering 62% of its population living in extreme poverty as of 2021.

![Niger](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/niger.jpg)

### Niger

A landlocked Sahelian nation, Niger faces desertification, rapid population growth, and political instability. Its 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) stands at $1,577, with over 50% of its citizens living in extreme poverty (2021), making it vulnerable to climate and security shocks.

![Mozambique](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mozambique-2.jpg)

### Mozambique

Mozambique’s economic potential from natural gas is undermined by a violent insurgency and frequent climate disasters. With a GDP per capita (PPP) of $1,652 in 2023, about 63% of its population lived in extreme poverty as of 2019, reflecting deep inequality.

![Malawi](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/malawi-1.jpg)

### Malawi

A landlocked country heavily reliant on agriculture, Malawi is extremely vulnerable to weather shocks. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $1,701 in 2023, while a very high 71% of the population endured extreme poverty as of 2019, often facing food insecurity.

![Chad](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chad.jpg)

### Chad

Chad’s development is constrained by its landlocked position, regional instability, and the effects of climate change. With a GDP per capita (PPP) of $1,788 in 2023, nearly 40% of its population lived in extreme poverty as of 2021, despite its oil revenues.

![Liberia](https://florafaunafun.com/wp-content/uploads/lists/placeholder.jpg)

### Liberia

Still recovering from devastating civil wars and the 2014 Ebola epidemic, Liberia struggles with weak infrastructure and institutions. Its 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) is $1,789, with over 35% of Liberians living in extreme poverty according to 2016 data.

![Madagascar](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/madagascar-3.jpg)

### Madagascar

An island nation prone to severe climate events, Madagascar has a 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) of $1,903. Chronic political instability has worsened conditions, with a staggering 81% of the population living in extreme poverty as of 2021, one of the highest rates globally.

![Sierra Leone](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sierra_leone.jpg)

### Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s economy, still healing from civil war and the Ebola crisis, relies heavily on mineral exports. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $2,080 in 2023, and as of 2018, over a quarter of its population lived in extreme poverty.

![Guinea-Bissau](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/guinea-bissau.jpg)

### Guinea-Bissau

Plagued by persistent political instability and coups, Guinea-Bissau’s economy is fragile and overly dependent on volatile cashew nut exports. It had a GDP per capita (PPP) of $2,128 in 2023, with over 28% of its people in extreme poverty as of 2021.

![Togo](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/togo-1.jpg)

### Togo

Togo’s economy is centered on subsistence farming and phosphate mining, facing challenges from political governance issues. Its GDP per capita (PPP) reached $2,427 in 2023, with around 29% of the population living in extreme poverty based on 2018 data.

![Burkina Faso](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/burkina_faso.jpg)

### Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is severely affected by escalating insecurity from extremist groups and a related humanitarian crisis. Its 2023 GDP per capita (PPP) is $2,488, but widespread conflict has displaced millions, impacting its heavily agrarian economy (2018 poverty data).

![Mali](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mali.jpg)

### Mali

A landlocked nation at the center of the Sahel crisis, Mali grapples with conflict and political instability. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $2,581 in 2023, with over 14% of the population in extreme poverty (2021) amid challenging security conditions.

![The Gambia](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/the_gambia.jpg)

### The Gambia

The smallest country on mainland Africa, The Gambia relies on tourism and agriculture, making it vulnerable to external shocks. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $2,607 in 2023, with 11% living in extreme poverty (2020) as it transitions from decades of authoritarian rule.

![Uganda](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/uganda-1.jpg)

### Uganda

Uganda has achieved some economic growth but faces challenges from rapid population growth and a heavy reliance on agriculture. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $2,630 in 2023, with over 28% of Ugandans still in extreme poverty as of 2019.

![Ethiopia](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ethiopia-1.jpg)

### Ethiopia

Despite being one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies for years, recent internal conflict and high population pressure have kept incomes low. Ethiopia’s GDP per capita (PPP) was $2,763 in 2023, with over 27% of its people in extreme poverty as of 2020.

![Rwanda](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/rwanda-1.jpg)

### Rwanda

Though often cited for its remarkable development progress since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda remains a low-income country. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $2,836 in 2023, with over half the population still living in extreme poverty according to 2016 data.