A country’s economic position can be compared in several ways, but nominal gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is one commonly used indicator. It divides the value of a country’s annual economic output by its population, providing a broad measure of output per person.
The International Monetary Fund’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook includes 2026 projections for GDP per capita. Based on the figures presented by Worldometer, Yemen, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Burundi appear among the economies with the lowest reported nominal GDP per capita. These figures are estimates, not direct measurements of each resident’s income.
How the 2026 Ranking Is Measured
Nominal GDP per capita expresses economic output per person in current US dollars. Because it uses current prices and exchange rates, the measure does not adjust for differences in the cost of living between countries.
This ranking should not be confused with a poverty-rate ranking. A country can have low GDP per capita without every resident being poor, and the indicator does not show how income is distributed within the population. Purchasing power parity (PPP), poverty rates, household consumption, and access to essential services provide different perspectives on living standards.
Ten Countries at the Lowest End of the Reported Ranking
The following figures are taken from Worldometer’s 2026 nominal GDP-per-capita table, which identifies the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook as its main source. Some entries are explicitly attributed to other years or sources, so the values are not fully comparable estimates for the same period.
| Country | Reported GDP per capita (US$) |
|---|---|
| Yemen | $384 |
| Afghanistan | $448* |
| South Sudan | $488 |
| Burundi | $546 |
| Central African Republic | $613 |
| Mozambique | $632 |
| Madagascar | $656 |
| Malawi | $733 |
| Somalia | $813 |
| Niger | $822 |
Afghanistan’s figure is identified as a 2025 value on the source page. Figures are nominal GDP per capita, not average wages or household income. See the source table for its country-specific notes.
Why These Figures Need Context
GDP-per-capita rankings can help readers compare the approximate scale of economic output across countries, but they cannot explain the causes of poverty on their own. Conflict, limited infrastructure, weak public services, economic instability, and barriers to education or employment may affect living conditions, but their relative importance differs by country and requires separate evidence.
Data availability is another consideration. The IMF notes that some country and indicator data may be incomplete or unavailable for particular years. Published tables can therefore combine projections with older observations from other sources. Rankings may change when data are revised or a different measurement method is used.
For a broader comparison of economic conditions, readers should consult the original IMF dataset and World Bank indicators rather than relying on a single ranking alone.
What Readers Should Know
- The measure: Nominal GDP per capita divides economic output by population; it is not a direct measure of individual income.
- The practical meaning: The ranking offers a broad comparison of economic output per person, but it cannot describe every resident’s living conditions.
- The limitation: Some listed figures refer to different years or sources, and 2026 estimates may be revised as new data become available.
Conclusion
The 2026 nominal GDP-per-capita figures place several countries at the lowest end of the reported international comparison. They are useful as a starting point, not a complete verdict on poverty or quality of life. Readers should check each country’s source notes and use complementary indicators before drawing conclusions.
