As of 2019, the population of our planet exceeds 7.7 billion people. A huge leap occurred in the last century. The total number of people in the world has increased by almost 4.35 billion. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of far from every state on the planet are provided with basic conditions for a normal life. According to recent research by scientists at Oxford University, in 103 countries around the world, 76% of the total population, at least 26.5% of people live below the poverty line.
The list of the poorest countries in the world contains mainly the states of the African continent. As a rule, they are dominated by authoritarian political regimes, permanent military clashes, underdeveloped economies, widespread corruption, high crime rates, environmental disasters and a host of other, no less important problems. Based on World Bank criteria, “very poor” are countries where per capita GDP is below $ 1,025 per year. In the richest countries in the world, this figure is above $ 12,475.
Today, about 800 million people survive on an amount not exceeding $ 1.25 per day. At $ 2.25, another 2.7 billion people live. In fact, half of the world's population survives in extreme poverty. Which countries in the world are the poorest? Based on the official data of the International Monetary Fund, taking into account the GDP indicator, we give a list of such states for 2019.
Central African Republic
According to statistics, the Central African Republic (CAR) is the poorest country in the world for 2019. The former French colony became independent only half a century ago - in 1960. For decades, numerous military clashes and coups have flared up in the state, and armed gangs from time to time take power under their control.
All these factors have an extremely negative impact on the pace of development of the country. The population of the republic is about 4.8 million people. Despite the fact that the country is rich in natural resources, including precious metals, diamonds and oil, the vast majority of local residents live in terrible conditions on the street.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the top of the world's poorest countries, Congo is in second place. The population of the republic is about 85.5 million people. This is almost 16 times more than in the neighboring Central African Republic.
The main cause of poverty is the same military and political clashes. Despite the colossal deposits of minerals, the standard of living in the state remains at a very low level. GDP is about 790 dollars. Systemic corruption, numerous criminal gangs and an active struggle for power do not allow the country to get out of adversity.
Burundi
Burundi ranks third in the ranking of the poorest countries in the world. A small East African state with a population of about 11.4 million people. The British left these territories about 200 years ago, after which the state was influenced by other Europeans - the Belgians.
The inhabitants of Burundia achieved official independence only in 1962. About 40% of GDP is generated from agricultural activities, mainly export of tea crops and coffee. The country has a very weak infrastructure, low level of education and medical services. Due to the low level of salaries, a huge number of local residents are starving.
Liberia
This country is located in West Africa and is the poorest country in the region. The population is about 4.9 million people. Independence from the USA, which was acquired in 1847, did not significantly affect the growth of well-being of local residents. Liberia's unemployment rate is 85%, and is one of the highest in the world.
The struggle for power and the ongoing Civil War, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, did not contribute to the development of the country. Today, thanks to the help of international organizations, the depressing situation has been partially stabilized, however, the destroyed economy is recovering quite slowly.
Niger
The top five most impoverished countries of the world on the African continent are closed by another state - Niger. Independence from the French was achieved only in 1960. The number of inhabitants of the country exceeds 22.8 million people. About 80% of the Niger occupies the largest Sahara desert. Only 3% of the land is suitable for agricultural activities. However, in Niger there are huge reserves of uranium and oil fields.
The country's history is saturated with a large number of military coups and political confrontations. However, on the other hand, the GDP in Niger is about 1,153 dollars, which allows it to be one of the developing countries. It is worth noting the fact that the state is very dependent on foreign aid, and is actually in a debt hole.
Malawi
The sixth place in the ranking of the poorest countries in the world is occupied by the Republic of Malawi, located in southeast Africa. A third of the territory is occupied by a lake, named after the country. Today, the 19.5 million people suffer from total poverty, fatal diseases and very low life expectancy.
More than half of the country's exports come from tobacco, while other countries sell gold, cotton, coffee and sugarcane. The country has a hydropower potential, deposits of uranium and coal. In general, the economy of Malawi is rather weak and depends on agricultural activities, as well as financial and humanitarian assistance from more developed countries.
Mozambique
In the neighborhood of Malawi, the state of Mozambique is located on the southeast African coast. The poverty situation is also depressing. Poverty is the main problem of the country. The population of Mozambique is about 31 million people.
The state ceased to be a Portuguese colony only in 1975. After which, there was a massive emigration and bloody Civil War. Mozambique currently exports coal and aluminum, but the vast majority of the country's inhabitants are engaged in agriculture. In the state, the level of infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is about 10.75%. The country ranks fourth in the world in the number of AIDS deaths per year.
Eritrea
One of the poorest countries in the world in the ranking is Eritrea, located in eastern Africa, and washed by the waters of the Red Sea. The population is only 5.3 million people.
For 30 years, the rebels fought a fierce battle with Ethiopia. Only in 1993, a national referendum on the recognition of independence was held. Unfortunately, the country's elected president turned out to be a totalitarian and repressive leader who created a fully militarized society. Some Eritreans leave the country because of the compulsory service, for which they are called up for an indefinite period. Colossal military spending only exacerbates the country's plight, and causes increased poverty.
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is a state located on the island of the same name in the Indian Ocean, which is located off the African coast. This is one of the most beautiful places with unique flora and fauna, which is destroyed by the consumer attitude of local residents.
The exceptional nature of Madagascar is in danger of total extinction due to human activities. More than 90% of the original forest territories disappeared from the island due to irrational deforestation and arson. Unfortunately, the popular animated film is one of the few positive events in the history of the island.
More than 26.7 million Madagascans are forced to survive in extremely adverse political, economic and housing conditions. The basis of the country's budget is fishing and forestry, as well as the export of spices, coffee and sugar cane.
Comoros
Comoros occupy the tenth place in the ranking of the poorest countries in the world and with a standard of living below average - this is the volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It is located in the north of the Strait of Mozambique between the island of Madagascar and Africa.
Independence from the French was obtained only in 1975. After that, a series of coups d'etat took place in the country. Political instability has been observed to this day, which has a very negative effect on the living standards of local residents and the development of the economy as a whole. The country is engaged in the export of sugarcane, coconuts, bananas, coffee and spices. 80% of the country's inhabitants are involved in agriculture. GDP is about 797 US dollars.
Conclusion
So, we examined the ten most poor countries in the world. Russia, surprisingly, is not included in this rating, despite the not the highest standard of living and economic development. GDP per capita in our country is about $ 27,890 per year, which is significantly higher than in countries from the above rating.
The poorest people in the world tend to live on the African continent. The vast majority of such widespread poverty is due to the fact that the inhabitants of these states do not know how to earn their wealth. There are not enough strong businessmen and managers, and the sale of minerals is mainly made by heads of government.
An important reason is the slave trade, which still has a place to be. Africa has lost more than a hundred million people through trafficking. This dealt a tremendous blow to the development of countries, slowed down the development of agriculture and prevented the formation of states. The slave trade has become one of the reasons that the vast majority of the African population lives in terrible poverty today. Stratification, corruption and poverty are the main problems that plague residents.
The fact that education, science and high technology in Africa is developing very slowly is influencing how people live in the poorest countries of the world. An extremely small number of scientists, low quality of infrastructure, poor level of education in educational institutions - all these are important problems on the path to becoming a strong and developed state.
The fantastic degree of social stratification and poverty of the inhabitants of the planet is explained by the fact that only a few of the richest people in the world have the same condition as half of the world's population. Only one percent of people are richer than the remaining 99%.