Top 20 Poorest Countries in the World 2018
Out of the 195 countries in the world, 52% are considered poor. This is basically due to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Purchasing-Power-Parity (PPP) per capita of these countries which spell out the standard of living of people in them.

Although there are rich people who can even be regarded as billionaires in these so-cal;ed poorest countries, the population of those living in poverty is still large. In order to define poverty in these countries, economists set an income threshold and those who fall below it are regarded as poor.

It is so disheartening that 17 of the top 20 poorest countries in this world are from Africa. Africa is known to be poverty stricken due to so factors like corruption, famine, epidemics, conflicts and many more. These factors have greatly affected the standard of living of many Africans.

Let’s examine the top 20 poorest countries in the world:

1. Democratic Republic of Congo: Congo is the 2nd largest country in Africa in terms of land mass, however, she has been beset with violence over the years. This large country suffers from a notably high rate of malnutrition & mortality. With a GDP PPP of $394.25, Congo tops our list of 20 poorest countries in the world.
2. Zimbabwe: This Southern African country is the second on our list with a GDP PPP of $588.46. Zimbabwe has been ruled by Robert Mugabe since the year 1980. 
3. Burundi: Burundi is an Eastern Africa country which has been plagued with constant warfare, widespread contamination of AIDS, corruption, and high level of illiteracy. She has a GDP PPP of $648.58.
4. Liberia: Liberia has been ransacked by two civil wars which were started by a coup in the year 1980 leaving the country with a devastating economy. Her GDP PPP is $716.04.
5. Eritrea: Eriteria is located in the Horn of Africa with a fast growing economy at 8.7%. She has a GDP PPP of $792.13.She became independent in the year 1991.
6. Central African Republic: After a coup in 2013, Central African Republic has degenerated into practical anarchy. She also suffered from armed conflicts in the early 2000’s, leaving devastating effects on her economy with a GDP PPP of $827.93.
7. Niger: With a GDP PPP of $853.43, Niger suffers from a lack of infrastructure, poor healthcare facilities, low educational standards, environmental degradation.
8. Malawi: The health care system in this African country is on slim shaking legs as there is low life expectancy, high infant mortality and high prevalence of AIDS. Malawi has a GDP PPP of $893.84.
9. Madagascar: 90% of the people living in Madagascar spend less than 2 dollars per day. This beautiful Island called Madagascar has a GDP PPP of $972.07.
10. Afghanistan: Afghanistan is largely considered as one of the most dangerous places in the world and is the largest producer of refugees and asylum seekers. She has a GDP PPP of $1,072.19.
11. Mali: Mali is the third largest producer of gold in African. However half of her population live below the international poverty line and has a GDP PPP of $1,136.77.
12. Togo: Despite the fact that Togo serves as a regional and trade center in its region, her growth has been stalked by political instability making her have a GDP PPP of $1,145.94.
13. Guinea: Guinea is the second largest producer of bauxite in the entire world and also has rich deposits of gold and diamonds yet she is the 13th poorest country in the world. She has a GDP PPP of $1,163.18.
14. Ethiopia: Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked nation in the world, yet famines and civil wars have succeeded in destabilizing the country economy over the years. Her GDP PPP is at $1,258.60.
15. Mozambique: Although this country GDP PPP is actually high, the life expectancy and human development is very low. The GDP PPP is $1,262.96.
16. Guinea-Bissau: This West African country has been independent since 1973, yet she suffers from political instability and no president has ever served the full five-year term in the country. She has a GDP PPP of $1,268.46.
17. Comoros: Comoros is the 3rd smallest nation in Africa in terms of landmass and has suffered from numerous coup attempts. 50% of the people in Comoros live below the poverty line which has a GDP PPP of $1,296.77.
18. South Sudan: This is a new African country which got her independence in 2011. South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality and female illiteracy rate in the word and inadequate infrastructure. She has a GDP PPP of $1,324.10.
19. Nepal: Nepal is rich in term of tourist attractions. This country is home to 8 of the 10 tourist centers (which also includes Mt. Everest) and also the host to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Nepal comes with a GDP PPP of $1,347.62.
20. Haiti: Haiti which is a Caribbean country was the first independent nation of Latin America. For several years, Haiti has been ravaged by political violence having a GDP PPP of $1,358.10.

Out of the 20 countries listed above, 17 are from Africa. This reveals the fact that Africa is a continent that needs a lot of restructuring in almost all her countries.

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