On our planet, along with prosperous countries, there are those whose standard of living leaves much to be desired. Of course, it’s not very pleasant to read about countries where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. However, knowing the existence of such states, we will be able to appreciate what we have and strive for the best.
Our list is based on the information gathered and CIA World Factbook research. In the process of forming the list, purchasing power and gross domestic product, which measures the cost of manufactured products and services within the territory of each state, were also taken into account. In the list, 9 out of 10 countries are located in Africa. The constant lack of funds taught the population of these countries to survive, using the available finances as efficiently as possible. However, most residents say that they have no reason to suffer. So, let's start the list of the top 10 countries with the lowest standard of living.
10
Guinea
Guinea's annual GDP per capita is only $ 1300. To understand the gap between the inhabitants of Guinea and the population of other countries, we say that Russia's GDP is $ 26,900, and for example, the United States is $ 59,500. And with such indicators, the Russian Federation and the USA occupy the 50th and 11th places, respectively. What then to say about Guinea? Life in Guinea, as in many countries of the western part of the African continent, is unusually difficult.
Its territory for a long time was a colony of France, gaining independence only in the 50s of the XX century. However, the first “open” elections were held only 35 years later. Guinea is often shocked by military conflicts and upheavals, which clearly do not lead to an improvement in living standards.
Such poverty is especially surprising against the backdrop of a wealth of natural resources, because half of the world's bauxite deposits are located in Guinea. It also produces iron ore, diamonds and gold. Unfortunately, the profits from the sale fall into the pockets of officials, and more than 75% of the inhabitants of this African state are employed in agriculture.
9
Mozambique
Mozambique's per capita GDP is $ 1,200. It would seem that only $ 100 less than that of Guinea, however, this can be said when the bill goes to tens of thousands. For residents of these countries, $ 100 is a huge amount and the same huge difference.
Like Guinea, Mozambique was a colonial state. It is located only in East Africa, and was ruled by the Portuguese until independence in 1975. Due to frequent coups and civil wars, the population of Mozambique massively emigrated to neighboring states.
Constant terror and mismanagement made Mozambique one of the poorest countries in the world, where almost the entire population is below the poverty line. Also significant damage to the state economy is caused by constant natural disasters. First of all, agriculture suffers, employing 80% of the working population of Mozambique.
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8
Niger
We drop another $ 100 in GDP per capita, and represent Niger, a country in northwestern Africa, with a gross domestic product of $ 1,100. Niger was a French colony for a long time, until it gained independence in 1960. Like almost all the countries on our list, Niger at several stages of independence is shaken by civilian coups and dramatic changes in government.
Despite the rich deposits of uranium, the state is completely dependent on outside help. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture, but it is worth considering that 4/5 of the Niger is occupied by the Sahara desert, so the agricultural industry cannot provide the country with the proper level.
To assess the living standards and development of the Niger’s infrastructure, it is worth noting that the state does not even have railways, and all projects for laying the canvas have not been implemented.
7
Malawi
Malawi's per capita GDP is on a par with Niger, amounting to $ 1,100, which suggests a roughly equal standard of living for two African countries located in different parts of the continent.
Malawi has long been part of the African colony of Great Britain, however, frequent uprisings and precarious economic conditions forced the British to declare Malawi independence in 1964. The first president of Malawi was a cruel dictator and ruled for over 30 years (at the time of his death, he was from 92 to 101 years old).
Malawi's main profit was in the export of tobacco and tea. After a sharp decline in prices for these goods in the 80s, the country's economic situation deteriorated significantly. Almost the entire working population of the Republic of Malawi is employed in the agricultural sector (90%), growing, except for tobacco and tea, corn, sugarcane and potatoes.
6
Tokelau
We added to the list of Tokelau to slightly dilute the African presence in the ranking of the top 10 poorest countries in the world. On the one hand, Tokelau is not an independent state, under the control of New Zealand, on the other hand, it has an economy and a meager GDP per capita ($ 1,100), which allows it to rightfully occupy the 6th place in the rating.
This island nation mainly survives due to fishing and outside help. The population of Tokelau does not even reach 1,500 people. The constant assistance from New Zealand, as well as residents of other countries, allows the Tokelowners to feel relatively prosperous.
Interestingly, a fifth of the annual GDP comes from advertising on the Internet, located on the sites of the .tk domain zone. As well as making a certain profit, making souvenir coins and issuing collection stamps.
5
Liberia
Liberia's per capita GDP collapsed to $ 900, which is hard to think about. The state is located in the western part of the African continent - the poorest in the region. The history of Liberia is unusually interesting, but at the same time terrible. It was founded by black immigrants who arrived here from the United States of America. The country was a colonial territory of the United States for a short time, having gained independence in 1847. Despite the fact that the arrived American Liberians were descendants of Africans taken away from the continent into slavery, they did not associate themselves with Africa, constantly entering into conflicts with indigenous peoples.
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The neighboring colonial territories of Great Britain and France also undermined the country's position, constantly striving to capture Liberia (which they partially succeeded in). For decades, the country has been shaken by military coups and armed conflicts that claimed thousands of lives and undermined the economic situation of Liberia.
Liberia's main source of income is the export of rubber and wood and iron ore. And also the state has deposits of gold and diamonds supplied to countries with developed economies. Another source of revenue is duties paid by foreign merchant ships for the right to fly under the Liberian flag (the so-called “Convenient Flag”).
4
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The next African country on our list will be DR Congo with a per capita GDP of just $ 800. After a long and difficult period under the rule of the Belgians, the country gained independence in 1960. However, this did not make life easier for the Congolese; the state was shaken by civil wars, uprisings, attempts to secession of several regions and military coups.
A huge segment of the country's independent history passes under the rule of dictator Mobutu, who renamed the state into Zaire. Terror and monstrous corruption "sucked" almost everything from the economy of the DR Congo, which is now in a deplorable state. And this despite the fact that the country has rich deposits of tantalum, cobalt, diamonds and Germany. And also in the bowels of the land of the DR Congo contains a lot of copper, tin and zinc.
Almost all of the above countries mainly survive at the expense of agriculture, then in this African state it is underdeveloped. A significant part of the export is occupied only by the sale of coffee.
3
Burundi
Like neighboring DR Congo, the Republic of Burundi can boast a per capita GDP of $ 800. A small spoiler: even with such GDP, Burundi is 2 times ahead of the first place in our rating. Initially, the country was ruled by the German Empire, then passed to Belgium.
Burundi managed to gain independence only in 1962, however, the first democratic elections were held only after 31 years. We have all heard of the genocide of the Tutsi people in Rwanda, however, Burundi did not bypass similar problems. Here for millennia there has been a struggle between two ethnic groups (Tutsi and Hutu). Each of the parties alternately seized power in the country, oppressing the losers. A certain stability was achieved only in the last 10 years, however, the country's economy was seriously undermined.
Now the main income goes to the treasury thanks to agriculture (about 40% of GDP). Almost half of the territory of the state is given for arable land, more than a third for livestock grazing. Only 1 out of 10 employed Burundi residents does not work in agriculture. More than half of the exports are coffee, and hides, cotton and tea are also shipped to other countries.
2
Central African Republic
With a lag of $ 100, the second place in the ranking of the poorest countries in the world is occupied by the CAR, whose GDP per capita is $ 700. And this country has long been a colony of one of the European states (in this case, France), and after gaining independence (1960) it could not cope with freedom, and "drowned" in internal political conflicts and military coups, which continue to this day.
High levels of organized crime and corruption have led to a deplorable economic situation and impoverishment of the population. Even possessing rich deposits of natural resources, including diamonds, gold and uranium, does not help the country. And also in the Central African Republic there are oil deposits and a large number of valuable forest species.
The main income comes from logging and agriculture. The highest export performance was achieved by the supply of wood, cotton, diamonds and fruits. And car parts are also being sold, however, most of the funds are deposited in the pockets of officials, and a huge part of the population is forced to live on the streets.
1
Somalia
"Honorary" first place goes to Somalia, whose GDP per capita is $ 400. Somalia is difficult to call Somalia a single country, since for decades it has been controlled by individual military groups. Nevertheless, Somalia is legally considered a presidential republic that gained independence in 1960 (from both Great Britain and Italy).
Perhaps no country in the world has suffered so much from coups and internecine wars as Somalia, which is reflected in the deplorable economic situation. Despite the lack of statistical data, analysts managed to compile a report on the state of the country's economy. The main sector is agriculture (over 60% of the gross domestic product), where 2/3 of the country's working population are employed.
In terms of exports, half of Somalia's supply of goods to other countries is occupied by livestock products (a significant part of the population leads a nomadic lifestyle). Bananas, coal and fish are also exported.