Africa is rich in culture, people, and natural resources. But unfortunately, many of its countries still face high poverty levels due to factors like war, political instability, weak infrastructure, poor education, and economic mismanagement. This list looks at the 20 poorest African countries based on GDP per capita (the average income per person), as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
Note: GDP per capita figures are approximate and rounded.
Contents
- 20. Ethiopia – GDP per capita: $1,000
- 19. Uganda – GDP per capita: $950
- 18. Togo – GDP per capita: $920
- 17. The Gambia – GDP per capita: $890
- 16. Mali – GDP per capita: $850
- 15. Guinea – GDP per capita: $830
- 14. Burkina Faso – GDP per capita: $800
- 13. Liberia – GDP per capita: $790
- 12. Madagascar – GDP per capita: $770
- 11. Rwanda – GDP per capita: $750
- 10. Mozambique – GDP per capita: $730
- 9. Sierra Leone – GDP per capita: $700
- 8. Eritrea – GDP per capita: $690
- 7. South Sudan – GDP per capita: $650
- 6. Chad – GDP per capita: $630
- 5. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – GDP per capita: $600
- 4. Niger – GDP per capita: $580
- 3. Malawi – GDP per capita: $540
- 2. Central African Republic (CAR) – GDP per capita: $510
- 1. Burundi – GDP per capita: $280
- What Causes Poverty in These Countries?
20. Ethiopia – GDP per capita: $1,000
Ethiopia has a fast-growing economy, but it’s still among the poorest. Conflicts and droughts affect food and job security. Agriculture employs most people, but it’s heavily dependent on the weather.
Learn more about Ethiopia’s economy
19. Uganda – GDP per capita: $950
Despite some progress, Uganda still struggles with poverty, especially in rural areas. Poor healthcare, corruption, and limited job opportunities remain key challenges.
See>>> Top 20 Richest Countries In Africa
18. Togo – GDP per capita: $920
Togo’s economy relies on agriculture and phosphate mining. But a lack of infrastructure and political tensions affect progress.
17. The Gambia – GDP per capita: $890
Tourism is a key income source here, but The Gambia still faces high youth unemployment and reliance on foreign aid.
16. Mali – GDP per capita: $850
Mali has gold and cotton but remains poor due to conflict with insurgent groups and poor governance.
15. Guinea – GDP per capita: $830
Guinea is rich in bauxite (used to make aluminum), but weak infrastructure and political instability hold it back.
14. Burkina Faso – GDP per capita: $800
Frequent terrorist attacks and limited access to education and healthcare make development difficult in Burkina Faso.
13. Liberia – GDP per capita: $790
Liberia is recovering from civil wars and the Ebola crisis. While it’s improving, many still live in poverty.
12. Madagascar – GDP per capita: $770
Madagascar is known for its biodiversity, but poverty is high due to weak institutions, poor infrastructure, and cyclones.
11. Rwanda – GDP per capita: $750
Rwanda has made strong development strides since the 1994 genocide. Still, many rural areas face food insecurity and low income. Rwanda is also one of the safest countries in Africa.
10. Mozambique – GDP per capita: $730
Even with natural gas resources, many people in Mozambique live on less than $2 per day. Corruption and conflict hinder growth.
9. Sierra Leone – GDP per capita: $700
Still recovering from civil war and Ebola, Sierra Leone faces challenges in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
8. Eritrea – GDP per capita: $690
Eritrea is one of the world’s most closed-off countries. It has low foreign investment and high youth migration.
7. South Sudan – GDP per capita: $650
Africa’s youngest country is rich in oil but torn by civil war and famine. Over 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
UN report on South Sudan’s crisis
6. Chad – GDP per capita: $630
Chad is landlocked and faces climate issues like drought. Its economy depends on oil, but corruption and poor services persist.
5. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – GDP per capita: $600
The DRC is one of Africa’s richest in natural resources like cobalt and gold. But corruption, war, and poor infrastructure keep most citizens in poverty.
4. Niger – GDP per capita: $580
Niger has a young population but faces extreme poverty, desertification, and insecurity from terror groups.
3. Malawi – GDP per capita: $540
Most Malawians depend on farming, but climate issues and lack of industrial growth limit income and job creation.
2. Central African Republic (CAR) – GDP per capita: $510
CAR has suffered from civil wars and coups. Despite diamonds and gold, insecurity has kept the country among the world’s poorest.
1. Burundi – GDP per capita: $280
Burundi is the poorest country in Africa in 2025. It has fertile land, but decades of conflict, political tension, and poor infrastructure have devastated the economy. Most people are small-scale farmers who struggle to make ends meet.
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What Causes Poverty in These Countries?
Several common factors explain the poverty in these nations:
Political instability: Wars, coups, and poor governance scare investors.
Poor infrastructure: Bad roads, unreliable electricity, and limited internet access slow down development.
Corruption: Funds meant for the people are often mismanaged or stolen.
Low education levels: Lack of quality education limits job and business opportunities.
Health crises: Diseases like malaria, Ebola, and lack of clean water reduce productivity.
Conclusion
While Africa is full of potential, many countries are still trapped in poverty. However, international aid, good governance, investment in education, and peace efforts can help these nations grow. With the right policies, Africa can transform its future and lift millions out of poverty.
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