- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Thu, 12 Jun 2025 02:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Top 10 Countries With Highest Poverty Rate: Poverty is one of the biggest challenges that many nations worldwide face even today. It indicates that people lack the cash and assets needed to meet their basic needs, which include access to clean water, food, healthcare and education. High rates of poverty persist in several nations in 2025, particularly in regions of Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. These nations struggle with war, political unrest, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters, all of which make life extremely difficult for their people.
Recent statistics show that the nations with the highest rates of poverty worldwide are South Sudan, Burundi, and Madagascar. Over half of the people in these countries are below the poverty line. People frequently rely on farming or menial jobs that don't pay enough to keep them afloat.
India's Poverty Rate Has Dropped Impressively
India, while not in the top 10, still has a large number of people living in poverty, especially in rural areas. However, with development projects, education programs and job opportunities, India is working towards reducing its poverty rate. As per the Global Poverty Index 2025 by the World Bank, India has impressively declined its poverty rate from 27.1% in 2011 to 5.3% in 2022-2023, lifting more than 300 million people out of poverty.
List Of the Top 10 Poorest Countries With the Highest Poverty Rate
In this article, we will explore the top 10 countries with the highest poverty levels and understand the main reasons behind their struggles.
| Rank | Country | Poverty Rate | Poverty Rate Year |
| 1. | South Sudan | 82.30% | 2016 |
| 2. | Equatorial Guinea | 76.8% | 2006 |
| 3. | Madagascar | 75.2% | 2022 |
| 4. | Burundi | 74.20% | 2020 |
| 5. | Central African Republic | 68.8% | 2021 |
| 6. | Honduras | 64.10% | 2023 |
| 7. | Zambia | 60% | 2022 |
| 8. | Guatemala | 59.3% | 2023 |
| 9. | DR Congo | 56.20% | 2020 |
| 10. | Eswatini | 58.9% | 2016 |
Source: World Bank recent Reports
Top 10 Countries With the Highest Poverty Rate: Know The Reasons Behind Poverty Here
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Top 10 poorest countries with the highest poverty rate (Image: Canva)
1. South Sudan – 82.30% (2016)
South Sudan has the highest poverty rate in the world due to years of civil war, political instability, and lack of infrastructure. Most people here depend on agriculture, but floods, conflict, and displacement have made it difficult to earn a living.
2. Equatorial Guinea – 76.8% (2006)
Despite having oil wealth, Equatorial Guinea faces high poverty because of corruption and unequal wealth distribution. The money from natural resources hasn’t reached the general population, leaving many without access to education, healthcare, or jobs.
3. Madagascar – 75.2% (2022)
Madagascar’s poverty is due to political crises, deforestation, poor infrastructure, and a weak economy. Most people depend on farming, but climate change and lack of resources have made survival very tough.
4. Burundi – 74.20% (2020)
Burundi suffers from extreme poverty because of a long history of conflict, political tension, and weak economic development. Many people live in rural areas with very limited access to education, clean water, or healthcare.
5. Central African Republic – 68.8% (2021)
Decades of internal conflict and violence have destroyed the economy of the Central African Republic. The government struggles to provide basic services, and many citizens rely on humanitarian aid to survive.
6. Honduras – 64.10% (2023)
Honduras faces high poverty due to corruption, violence, and unemployment. Many families struggle to afford food and education. Natural disasters like hurricanes also make life harder for poor communities.
ALSO READ: List Of 10 Most Depressed Countries In The World: Know Where India Ranks
7. Zambia – 60% (2022)
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Top 10 poorest countries with the highest poverty rate (Image: Canva)
Zambia has rich natural resources but still faces poverty because of economic mismanagement and unemployment. Inflation and a lack of access to basic needs like education and healthcare affect a large part of the population.
8. Guatemala – 59.3% (2023)
In Guatemala, poverty is linked to inequality and lack of access to land, education, and health services. Indigenous communities suffer the most, with few opportunities to improve their living standards.
9. DR Congo – 56.20% (2020)
The Democratic Republic of Congo has abundant resources but is affected by war, poor governance, and corruption. Many people have been displaced by violence, and basic services like education and electricity are missing in many areas.
10. Eswatini – 58.9% (2016)
Eswatini’s poverty comes from unemployment, poor education, and health challenges like HIV/AIDS. A large part of the population depends on farming, but limited land and resources create financial hardship.