In this article, we discuss the 10 Countries With Extreme Poverty. If you would like to see our detailed analysis of the subject, you can go to 30 Countries With Extreme Poverty.
10. Sierra Leone
Poverty Rate as of 2021: 56.8 %
A tragic history of conflicts and instability has left Sierra Leone’s economy in shambles, and a population struggling with the aftermath. Sierra Leone’s poverty rate stands at 56.80%, according to the World Bank Data. The brutal Sierra Leonean Civil War (1991–2002) also disrupted infrastructure and displaced communities, hindering the country’s economic growth to such an extent, that it is still trying to recover. Plus, even though Sierra Leone is rich in mineral resources, issues like that of governance and corruption have kept Sierra Leone from benefiting from them.
9. Haiti
Poverty Rate: 58.50%
Haiti’s high poverty rate of 58.50% is mainly due to the country’s many natural disasters, including the massive earthquake it faced in 2010. Of course, there are other reasons too, such as low literacy rate and political oppression. However, its natural disasters are classified as a primary reason because of how frequent and destructive they are — they have left the country with poor infrastructure and disrupted the agricultural sector. Another challenge faced by Haiti is deforestation, which hinders sustainable development in the country.
8. Eswatini
Poverty Rate: 58.90%
Eswatini, a lower middle-income country in Southern Africa faces economic challenges due to a high level of income inequality and a high rate of unemployment. The monarchy’s control over key sectors limits opportunities for private enterprise. The country also has a huge problem with HIV and TB, which add a burden to its healthcare resources.
7. Guatemala
Poverty Rate: 59.30%
Guatemala’s high poverty rate of 59.30% creates multiple issues for its population such as malnutrition. Climate change further strains this issue by affecting the country’s agricultural sector and impacting food security. Currently, over one-third of the population in Guatemala is facing food insecurity.
6. DR Congo
Poverty Rate: 63.90%
Poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo stems from a long history of political conflicts and corruption. This has led to the country facing alarming levels of illness, food shortages, and low education rates. Conflicts between armed groups have left over 6.1 million people displaced in DR Congo.
5. Burundi
Poverty Rate: 64.90%
Located in eastern Africa, Burundi is a mountainous country with a population of over 13.4 million people. Although the country has an unemployment rate of just 1%, it ranks 5th in the list with a poverty rate of 64.90%. The humanitarian situation in Burundi is dire, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the Russia-Ukraine war hitting Burundi with fuel shortages. Everything combined, the country experienced soaring prices of basic food and goods, resulting in a high poverty rate.
4. Central African Republic
Poverty Rate: 68.80%
The Central African Republic is a country with a poverty rate of 68.80%. According to IPC, around 33% or 2 million people in the country face high levels of acute food insecurity between September 2023 and March 2024. Moreover, the civil war conflicts in the country have left many people displaced and stuck in this landlocked country.
3. Madagascar
Poverty Rate: 70.70%
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, with a population of over 30 million people and a poverty rate of 70.70%. According to the UNICEF report, about 2.3 million people in Madagascar will need humanitarian assistance in 2024 due to the prolonged drought, recurrent floods, cyclones, and epidemics.
2. Equatorial Guinea
Poverty Rate: 76.80%
Another Central African country, Equatorial Guinea, is second on the list with a poverty rate of 76.80%. Corruption, poverty, and repression are eating the country like a plague. Despite being an oil-production country, Equatorial Guinea’s economy is recessing and projected to recess for the next three years, according to the IMF.
1. South Sudan
Poverty Rate: 82.30%
Topping the list, South Sudan is a landlocked country in eastern Central Africa with a poverty rate of 82.30%. After being in a six-year-long conflict, South Sudan has become one of the most food-insecure countries in the world, alongside being the country with the highest poverty rates.
Since the start of the conflict in 2013, South Sudan has been facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, having an estimated 2/3rd of the country’s population, or 9.4 million people, relying on humanitarian assistance in 2023.
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