The world has enough wealth and resources to ensure that the entire human race enjoys a basic standard of living. Yet people in countries like Burundi, the Central African Republic or the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the three poorest in the world—continue to live in desperate poverty.
Below are 10 of the poorest countries in the world and all of them are in Africa.
1. The Central African Republic
Unsurprisingly, the world’s hungriest country is also one of the poorest. In the 2019 Global Hunger Index (GHI), the Central African Republic was the only country with hunger levels classified as “extremely alarming.” The economy of the Central African Republic is largely dependent on the export of diamonds, which brings in between 40-55% of the country’s export revenues.
However, it is estimated that up to half of those diamonds are sold on the black market, denying the government of tax revenue and undercutting honest, hardworking business people trying to do things the right way.
2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
There is perhaps no other country with an economic system more dysfunctional than that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Decades of strife and runaway militias have depleted these resources and limited the ability of the public to profit from them.
3. Burundi
Located in the Great Lakes region of Africa, Burundi has a history checkered with ethnic strife and military coups that have consistently derailed its long-term prospects for development. According to IMF data, well over 80% of the country’s population lives under the poverty line.
Political unrest has once again rocked the country throughout 2015, despite the progress made over the past few years. Most children only complete 3 years of schooling, against an expected education of 11 years. With 740 deaths per 100,000 live births, the country is one of the most dangerous places in the world to have a child.
4. Liberia
The economy of Liberia was ravaged by the Ebola epidemic. However, even before this, the Liberian economy has depended heavily on foreign aid. Although Liberia used to rely strongly on agricultural products, the price of some of these products has decreased over time, making it harder to achieve a profit.
5. Niger
Niger is the largest country in West Africa, most of its territory is covered by the Sahara Desert, limiting the economic activities which the country’s populace can engage in. World Bank data from 2014 estimate 44.5% of the country’s population of 21.5 million living in extreme poverty.
Food insecurity is high, as are disease and mortality rates, and the army’s recurrent clashes with jihadist group and Islamic State (ISIS) affiliate Boko Haram have displaced thousands of people.
6. Malawi
With well over 85% of the country’s population of 16 million people living in rural areas and dependent on subsistence farming, the country’s economy is fragile and very dependent on foreign aid.
In 2013 President Joyce Banda sold the presidential jet and a fleet of 60 luxury cars to feed the poor and grow crops to fight malnutrition. Only to be embroiled in a financial scandal involving looting, theft and corruption within the government, that went public the next month.
In January of 2015, Malawi was in the news for another negative reason, as devastating floods left almost a quarter of a million people homeless and destroyed well over 64,000 hectares of cropland, furthering their economic woes.
7. Mozambique
Mozambique is a country rich in natural resources and has made great strides towards becoming one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. However, the country is still recovering from a 16-year civil war that began when it gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and ended in 1992.
Corruption is said to be a massive problem in the country, which hinders the economic success of individual citizens. Much of rural Mozambique lives on less than $1.25 US per day.
