In this article we are going to talk about the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. Over the previous 20 years, countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda saw average growth rates of 7.5%. However, a large portion of the continent’s overall economic success has been impeded by elements like violence, political unrest, and corruption.
Poor infrastructure and the strong reliance of many African nations on agriculture ( 70% of the continent’s workforce works in the agricultural sector ) are two other significant issues that have hampered the continent’s growth. African economies are among the most climate-vulnerable in the world in this sense.
Furthermore, the industrial production of the continent has decreased as a result of the failure of many African nations to industrialize. In the 1970s, Africa accounted for 3% of global industrial production, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, but by 2016, that percentage had dropped to about 1.5%. Nevertheless, a large number of nations and businesses are working to develop the continent.
Poverty in Africa
The poorest countries on a single continent are found in Africa. 23 of the world’s 30 poorest countries are in Africa, making up 76.6% of all the nations on the list. The continent has seen periods of extreme weather, including unstable political and economic conditions.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) study for 2023 states that there are around 1.1 billion impoverished individuals worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion people, of 6.1 billion people worldwide, live in severe poverty across 110 nations.
Nearly 534 million of the 1.1 billion impoverished people come from Sub-Saharan Africa. South Asia is home to the remaining 389 million impoverished people. This illustrates that nearly five out of every six impoverished individuals live in South Asia or Sub-Saharan Africa.
It was anticipated that the world economy would contract from 3.5% in 2022 to 3% in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024. The growth of the continent was expected to decrease from 4% in 2022 to 3.3% in 2023, according to the IMF’s regional economic forecast for Africa. With the region’s economy predicted to expand by 4% in 2024, it is anticipated that African economies would recoup the following year and continue to support regional growth.
30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024
Methodology
To compile the list of 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024 we have collected data from the reliable sources like world population review and World Bank. Also Africa’s “30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024” are those with low GDP per capita in US dollars and human development levels. We have also taken into consideration the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 from Insider Monkey.
African nations with the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) ratings have been chosen to rank the countries. Following that, we considered their GDPs per capita and ranked each nation according to both HDI ratings and GDPs per capita.
Let’s have a look at 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024.
30- Ghana
HDI: 0.632
GDP Per Capita: 2203.6
Ghana, officially known as the Republic of Ghana, one of the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024, is a nation in West Africa. Food costs have been the major driver of inflation, which remained high at 40.1% in August 2023.
Poverty has gotten worse. According to estimates, the “international poverty” percentage has reached 27% in 2022, up 2.2% from 2021.
29- Sao Tome and Principe
HDI: 0.618
GDP Per Capita: 2404. 62
Even with comparatively steady economic growth than the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024 and advancements in health, education, and nutrition metrics, Sao Tome and Principe remains heavily dependent on foreign development assistance and continues to experience high rates of poverty and increasing disparities, including those based on gender.
The majority of employment is informal and is found mostly in small-scale business, agricultural, and fishing industries.
28- Cameroon
HDI: 0.576
GDP Per Capita: 1476.00
The disruption of the global value chain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be used to explain the shortage and increase in the price of staple goods (bread, wheat and related products, vegetable oil, and meat) that have been driving Cameroon’s high inflation since November 2021.
Real GDP growth in Cameroon is anticipated to average 4.2% between 2023 and 2025, with continued expansion in the secondary and tertiary sectors providing support.
27- Kenya
HDI: 0.575
GDP Per Capita: 2099.30
Kenya, relatively stable among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024, is situated in East Africa near the Indian Ocean. The COVID-19 pandemic shock of 2020 severely damaged the global economy, causing disruptions in tourism, urban services, and international trade and transportation.
However, GDP growth slowed to 4.8% in 2022 and is expected to increase to 5.0% in 2023. Following an increase earlier in the epidemic, the poverty rate has again resumed its downward trend.
26- Republic of Congo
HDI: 0.571
GDP Per Capita: 1704. 27
Despite having abundant potential for natural resources and mineral riches, the Congo’s economy began to fall sharply in the 1980s.
As of 2023, its gross domestic product was $69.474 billion. By GDP per capita in 2024, the Republic of the Congo is one of the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024.
25- Zambia
HDI: 0.565
GDP Per Capita: 1455.55
Zambia is one of the nations with the worst rates of inequality and poverty in the world. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of poverty increased; however, by 2025, it is expected to gradually recover to pre-pandemic levels.
However, Zambia’s economy is predicted to increase by 4.5% yearly between 2023 and 2025 as the country continues to recover.
24- Tanzania
HDI: 0.549
GDP Per Capita: 1116.00
It is among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. Tanzania is one of the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs), despite its abundance of natural resources and advantageous location.
Approximately 65% of Tanzania’s workforce is employed in the climate-vulnerable, rain-fed agriculture industry, which continues to be the country’s major source of income.
23- Togo
HDI: 0.539
GDP Per Capita: 913.93
The World Bank categorizes Togo, among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024, as having a low-income economy, with per capita income expected to reach $973 in 2021. In 2021, preferential imports from Togo totaled around €7.7 million, a significant drop from the year before.
22- Nigeria
HDI: 0.535
GDP Per Capita: 2173.77
When compared to 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024, Nigeria’s economy is among the richest in the continent. Nigeria’s economic outlook is for a slight increase, mostly as a result of government reforms in the oil industry. 3.1% increase is predicted during the period.
According to 2023 GDP per capita, Nigeria is the only trillion-dollar economy in Africa that is ranked among the continent’s poorest nations.
21- Rwanda
HDI: 0.534
GDP per capita: 966.31
The economy of the impoverished nation of Rwanda is mostly dependent on subsistence farming. The lack of arable land and the nation’s fast population growth have made it extremely difficult for the nation to expand its economy. Rwanda’s political and social unrest since 1959 has had detrimental effects on the country’s economy.
20- Benin
HDI: 0.525
GDP Per Capita: 1302.85
As global oil prices stabilize, inflation is expected to increase to 2.8% in 2023 and 2.3% in 2024. A continuing $638 million program of the International Monetary Fund is projected to have a positive impact on budgetary policy.
In 2023 and 2024, the budget deficit is expected to decrease somewhat to 4.5% and 4.1% of GDP, respectively. The decrease in the price of raw materials (food items) is expected to cause the current account deficit to drop to 3.8% of GDP in 2024 and 4.0% of GDP in 2023.
19- Uganda
HDI: 0.525
GDP per capita: 1021.04
Uganda is now among the poorest and 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024 due to a history of ongoing political unrest and inconsistent economic management following the granting of self-rule.
18- Sudan
HDI: 0.52
GDP per capita: 783.57
Sudan is among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. Several economic shocks resulted from South Sudan’s separation, chief among them being the loss of oil money, which made up over half of the government’s income and 95% of its export earnings. Due to this, economic growth has decreased and consumer price inflation has increased by double digits.
17- Lesotho
HDI: 0.514
GDP Per Capita: 992
Estimated to be 18% in 2022, unemployment is still high, and poverty and inequality are also quite severe in Lesotho, one of the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. According to projections for 2022, 32.4% of people are still considered to be living below the $2.15 poverty level.
It is nevertheless challenging to address the external and fiscal issues in a setting of extreme inequality and shoddy institutions.
16- Malawi
HDI: 0.512
GDP per capita: 615.46
Malawi has made substantial structural and economic reforms to support economic growth, although the nation is still among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. With over 80% of the workforce employed in agriculture, the sector is highly dependent on it and is susceptible to shocks from the outside world, especially those related to the climate.
15- Senegal
HDI: 0.511
GDP Per Capita: 1604.02
One of the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024, is Senegal. Real GDP growth was predicted to fall to 4.2% in 2022 from the 5.5% predicted before the shocks.
Since early 2022, the same transmission channels have led to an increase in inflation, which peaked in November 2022 with a 14.1% year-over-year increase before slowing to 9.4% in February 2023. This is the greatest level of inflation in decades.
14- Madagascar
HDI: 0.501
GDP per capita: 505.04
Madagascar has suffered from poor growth and enduring poverty for many years, partly as a result of ineffective government, insufficient development of physical and human resources, and a delayed structural reform. Increasing climatic crises and increased susceptibility to outside shocks worsen the problem.
13- Gambia
HDI: 0.500
GDP per capita: 824.67
With a GNI of USD 440 per person, The Gambia is among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. Actually, because of the country’s fast population expansion, 150,000 more people are impoverished now than there were a few years ago, accounting for 48.6% of the total population.
12- Liberia
HDI: 0.481
GDP per capita: 615.76
The main underlying factors that contribute to poverty and food insecurity in Liberia are depreciating currency, high food costs, interruptions in the food supply, a lack of work or other chances for subsistence, and limited educational prospects.
The nation is highly reliant on investment and help from abroad and also is one of the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024.
11- Sierra Leone
HDI: 0.477
GDP per capita: 404.54
The Leone’s 60% devaluation in 2022 and lax fiscal measures contributed to an increase in inflation despite a decline in the price of food and gasoline globally. The Bank of Sierra Leone strengthened its monetary policy stance throughout the course of the year.
10- Guinea
HDI: 0.465
GDP per capita: 1504.13
Even though Guinea’s economy is currently robust by regional standards, political unrest and a dimming prognosis for global development may prevent it from reaching its full potential in 2024.
Real GDP growth is expected to pick up steam in 2025, driven by increasing profits from major exports like bauxite, gold, and diamonds as well as a more robust uptick in investment and consumption.
9- Burkina Faso
HDI: 0.449
GDP per capita: 775.79
The Sahelian nation of Burkina Faso is poor and considered among the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024 and endowed with few natural resources.
Although gold exports are increasing, agriculture still accounts for the majority of the country’s GDP. Over 40% of people don’t make it above the poverty level.
8- Mozambique
HDI: 0.446
GDP per capita: 558.30
Mozambique is one of the 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024. According to the Human Development Index, the nation is now ranked 185th out of 191 nations (HDI).
As of October 2022, around 950,000 individuals have been internally displaced due to the assaults, according to the United Nations.
7- Mali
HDI: 0.428
GDP per capita: 833.30
Next, on the list of 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024 we have Mali. The low-income economy of Mali, a sizable nation in the Sahel, is undiversified and susceptible to changes in commodity prices.
Agriculture and food security are threatened by its fast population expansion (with a fertility rate of 5.88 children per woman in 20181) and climate change.
6- Burundi
HDI: 0.426
GDP per capita: 312.87
Burundi is among the world’s lowest least-developed nations, with a per capita GDP of only $312. Since 1993, Burundi has experienced political instability that has impeded the country’s progress and left almost two thirds of the population living below the poverty line.
5- Central African Republic
HDI: 0.404
GDP per capita: 429.40
More than 60% of people live in poverty in the Central African Republic, making it one of the least developed nations in the world. The nation does possess some significant natural resources; its main exports are diamonds and lumber. But there are very few options for transport and electricity infrastructure.