Poverty remains one of the main problems worldwide, affecting millions of people on all continents. While some countries have experienced significant economic growth in recent decades, others continue to struggle to provide basic decent living conditions for their inhabitants. In this article, we will explore the five poorest countries in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, examining the underlying causes of their economic situation and the challenges they face.
Burundi: Extreme poverty and lack of resources.
Burundi, a small country located in East Africa, is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. Its GDP per capita is extremely low, hovering around $263 in 2022. About 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, and more than half of the child population suffers from chronic malnutrition.
Causes of poverty in Burundi:
- Internal conflicts: Burundi has suffered from decades of ethnic and political conflicts that have destabilized the country. The civil war that took place between 1993 and 2005 left a devastated economy, and although relative peace has been achieved, the country still faces political tensions.
- Lack of infrastructure: The country lacks the infrastructure necessary to develop key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and industry. This limits employment opportunities and economic growth.
- Reliance on subsistence farming: More than 90% of Burundi's population depends on subsistence farming. However, farming techniques are rudimentary and arable land is limited, contributing to food insecurity.
- Climate change: Climate variability, such as droughts and floods, has severely affected harvests, further exacerbating poverty and food insecurity.
South Sudan: A young country with great challenges.
The world's youngest country, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but has since faced a number of political, economic and social challenges. With a GDP per capita of approximately $303, South Sudan faces one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet.
Causes of poverty in South Sudan:
- Civil war and internal conflict: Since independence, the country has been mired in a civil war that has displaced millions of people and devastated the economy. The lack of political stability has impeded economic development.
- Oil dependence: Despite having abundant oil reserves, South Sudan depends almost exclusively on this resource, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in international oil prices. In addition, oil infrastructure has been severely damaged by the conflict.
- Lack of basic infrastructure: Access to basic services such as drinking water, health care and education is extremely limited. Most of the population lives in rural areas where infrastructure is virtually non-existent.
- Food insecurity: War, coupled with drought and poor agricultural practices, has left millions of people in South Sudan facing food insecurity, with a large percentage of the population relying on humanitarian aid to survive.
Malawi: An agricultural country trapped in poverty.
Malawi, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has a per capita GDP of around $403. Although it has experienced some political stability compared to other countries in the region, poverty remains widespread, with 70% of the population living on less than $1.90 a day.
Causes of poverty in Malawi:
- Reliance on subsistence farming: Malawi is heavily dependent on agriculture, particularly tobacco farming. However, most farmers rely on traditional methods, and lack of access to modern technologies limits productivity.
- Malnutrition and health problems: Poverty in Malawi is strongly linked to malnutrition, which affects a large part of the population. Life expectancy is low and access to health services is limited.
- Population growth: Malawi has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, putting additional pressure on the country's limited resources and making access to essential services such as education and health care difficult.
- Climate change: Malawi's agriculture is highly vulnerable to changes in climate, which has led to crop failures, droughts and floods, exacerbating poverty in rural areas.
Mozambique: Natural wealth, but economic difficulties.
Located in southeastern Africa, Mozambique is another of the world's poorest countries, with a GDP per capita of approximately $448. Despite having abundant natural resources, such as natural gas and coal, the country faces severe economic challenges.
Causes of poverty in Mozambique:
- Civil war: Although Mozambique's civil war ended in 1992, the country still suffers from the economic consequences of decades of conflict. Infrastructure remains poor and the economy has not fully recovered.
- Corruption: Corruption has been a major problem in Mozambique, preventing the benefits of natural resources from reaching the general population.
- Dependency on foreign aid: Mozambique relies heavily on international aid to fund development projects and meet basic needs, creating long-term dependency.
- Climate change: Like other countries in Africa, Mozambique faces climatic challenges such as cyclones and droughts, which have affected agricultural production and left millions food insecure.
Niger: poverty in the middle of the desert.
Niger, located in the heart of the Sahel in West Africa, has a GDP per capita of 514 dollars. It is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with a rapidly growing population and major problems of access to basic resources.
Causes of poverty in Niger:
- Extreme climate: Niger is a mainly desert country, which severely limits agriculture and food production. Recurrent droughts have exacerbated food insecurity.
- Population growth: Niger has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, putting enormous pressure on the country's limited resources, including education and health.
- Poor education and health: Access to education and health care in Niger is very limited. The literacy rate is low, and preventable diseases continue to affect a large part of the population.
- Regional conflict: Niger also faces instability on its borders due to the presence of terrorist groups and conflict in neighboring countries such as Mali and Nigeria. This has diverted resources that could have been used for economic development.
Common challenges for the poorest countries.
Although each of these countries has its own specific challenges, there are common factors that contribute to their poverty:
- Conflict and civil war: Most of the poorest countries have experienced prolonged conflicts that have destroyed their infrastructure and impeded economic development.
- Reliance on subsistence farming: These countries rely heavily on agriculture, but farming techniques are often primitive and vulnerable to climate change.
- Lack of infrastructure: The absence of roads, electricity, and basic services such as clean water and sanitation impedes economic growth and perpetuates poverty.
- Rapid population growth: In many of these countries, the population is growing rapidly, putting additional pressure on limited resources.
- Corruption and poor governance: In many cases, corruption has diverted resources that could have been used for economic development and poverty reduction.
Extreme poverty remains a significant global challenge, especially in the countries such as Burundi, South Sudan, Malawi, Mozambique and Niger. Although the causes vary, factors such as conflict, climate change, lack of infrastructure and reliance on subsistence agriculture are common in these nations. Addressing poverty in these countries requires a comprehensive approach that includes investing in infrastructure, improving education and health care, and promoting peace and stability.