South Sudan Tops Global Poverty Ranking with $492 GDP Per Capita
South Sudan, established in 2011, is not only the newest country but also the poorest, as per the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) data.
The IMF's report measures economic standing using GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP), which accounts for living costs. South Sudan's GDP per capita PPP is a mere $492.72, underscoring its struggle with political unrest, conflict, and underdeveloped infrastructure.
Other impoverished nations include Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique, with GDPs per capita ranging from $936.42 to $1,650.
These countries face issues like political instability, conflict, poor infrastructure, and climate-sensitive agriculture, contributing to widespread poverty and food shortages.
The list continues with Malawi, Niger, Chad, Liberia, and Madagascar, with their GDPs per capita falling between $1,710 and $1,990. Predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, these nations contend with scarce resources, burgeoning populations, and agricultural dependence, making economic resilience difficult.
This report urges international efforts to mitigate poverty through investments in infrastructure, economic diversification, and stabilization initiatives.
Topping the Asian poverty chart in 2024 is Yemen, with a GDP per capita of $2,136, though conflict makes accurate measurements challenging. In stark contrast, Luxembourg enjoys the highest GDP per capita at $145,834 PPP. India sits at $9.89 thousand GDP per capita PPP, indicating its place in the global economy.