All ten countries with the lowest GDP per capita, each below $2,000, are located in Africa

Key takeaways:

  • All ten of the world’s lowest GDP per capita countries are in Africa, signalling deep economic inequality at the global level.
  • South Sudan has the lowest GDP per capita at just $763, reflecting its ongoing economic struggles and instability.
  • Burundi and the Central African Republic follow, both under $1,300.
  • Even the highest GDP per capita country in this bottom ten, Niger, at $1,978, remains below $2,000.
  • Low GDP per capita directly impacts standard of living, limiting access to quality healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

All ten countries with the lowest GDP per capita, each below $2,000, are located in Africa. South Sudan, with a GDP per capita of just $763, sits at the bottom, followed by Burundi ($986) and the Central African Republic ($1,296). These numbers reveal a gap in economic prosperity, reinforcing how certain African economies remain significantly behind global averages in terms of wealth distribution.
While economic hardship in these regions is often attributed to conflicts, weak governance, and limited industrialisation, the impact goes beyond numbers — it’s about the daily lives of millions.

Source:

Digital 2025 Global Overview Report

Period:

2025
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