5 Poorest Countries in Asia

1. North Korea

GDP Per Adult in 2021: $931

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country. The capital and largest city of North Korea is Pyongyang. The state controls the means of production through state-run enterprises and collectivized farms. Essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, and food production are largely subsidized or funded by the state. A United Nations inquiry conducted in 2014 examined human rights abuses in North Korea and concluded that the severity, extent, and nature of these violations were unprecedented, indicating a unique situation that lacks comparison in the contemporary world. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch share similar perspectives on the human rights situation in North Korea. In 2021, North Korea’s GDP per adult was $931, making it one of the poorest Asian countries. 

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