2025 Global Per Capita GDP Distribution: A Data Portrait of Wealth Gap

Global economic development imbalances are once again confirmed by the latest data. According to statistics from international economic organizations, countries with the lowest per capita GDP are mostly concentrated in underdeveloped regions such as Africa and Asia. These countries are facing severe economic development challenges.

Sub-Saharan Africa: The Concentration of the World’s Poorest Regions

Economic data shows that the vast majority of the world’s poorest countries are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Among them, South Sudan ranks last with a per capita GDP of $251, followed by Yemen ($417), Burundi ($490), Central African Republic ($532), and Malawi ($580).

In this region, the number of countries with a per capita GDP below $1,000 is the largest. Madagascar ($595), Sudan ($625), Mozambique ($663), Democratic Republic of the Congo ($743), and others have economic development levels at the lowest end globally. Additionally, traditional trade powers such as Niger, Somalia, and Nigeria have per capita GDPs only hovering between $750 and $807, reflecting the widespread development difficulties faced by the region.

Middle-Income Difficult Countries: $1,000-$2,000 Development Stage

As per capita GDP increases, we see a group of countries striving for economic leapfrogging. West African countries such as Liberia ($908), Sierra Leone ($916), Mali ($936), and Gambia ($988) have shown some improvement but are still not out of poverty.

In the $1,000 to $2,000 range, countries like Rwanda ($1,043), Togo ($1,053), Ethiopia ($1,066), Lesotho ($1,098), and Burkina Faso ($1,107) are beginning to show initial signs of economic growth. Countries at this stage often face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited educational levels.

Economic Difficulties of Underdeveloped Countries in Asia

In Asia, the poorest countries also face severe tests. Myanmar ($1,177), Tajikistan ($1,432), Nepal ($1,458), East Timor ($1,491), Laos ($2,096), and others have per capita GDP levels behind the global average. Some countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia, despite large populations, still have worrying economic indicators.

Emerging Economies Accelerating Development

When per capita GDP surpasses $2,000, the economic landscape begins to change. Comoros ($1,702), Senegal ($1,811), Cameroon ($1,865), Guinea ($1,904), and others are gradually improving their economic foundations.

Furthermore, Zimbabwe ($2,199), Republic of the Congo ($2,356), Kiribati ($2,414), Kenya ($2,468), Mauritania ($2,478), and Ghana ($2,519) have entered the early stage of middle-income with per capita income between $2,000 and $2,500.

Deep Reflection on Global Poverty Phenomenon

The data reflects the harsh reality of global economic inequality. Large populous countries such as Bangladesh ($2,689), Kyrgyzstan ($2,747), Cambodia ($2,870), Ivory Coast ($2,872), and India ($2,878) play important roles in the global economy, yet their per capita GDP remains relatively low.

These figures reveal the huge disparities in global development—from South Sudan’s $251 to several developed countries with per capita GDP in the tens of thousands—reflecting differences in education, infrastructure, resource endowment, governance capacity, and other factors. Understanding the distribution of these economic indicators is crucial for comprehending the global economic landscape and development imbalances.