GDP per capita at purchasing power parity stands at $9,532.92
Country improves ranking from 44th in 2025, moving closer to exiting the bottom tier
Africa dominates the index, accounting for nine of the ten poorest nations**
Nigeria has been ranked 56th among the world’s 60 poorest countries in the newly released 2026 economic index by Global Finance magazine.
According to the report, which measures Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), Nigeria’s economic output per person stands at $9,532.92. This represents a shift from its 2025 position of 44th, indicating that Nigeria has moved further away from the absolute bottom of the global wealth scale, though it remains within the bracket of the world’s 60 poorest economies.
GDP per capita at PPP is a key metric used by economists to measure the average economic output per individual while adjusting for inflation and local differences in the cost of living across nations.
Africa Dominates Bottom Tier
The report highlights the severe economic headwinds facing the African continent, which accounts for nine of the ten poorest nations globally. Yemen is the only non-African country to feature in the bottom ten.
Burundi retains its position as the world’s poorest nation, recording a GDP per capita of just $994.23. It is followed by the Central African Republic ($1,437.72) and South Sudan ($1,467.19). Yemen ($1,590.19) and Mozambique ($1,688.91) complete the bottom five.
Other nations in the bottom ten include Malawi, Somalia, Liberia, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Regional Comparisons
Within West Africa and the wider continent, Nigeria performed relatively better than several of its peers in terms of GDP per capita adjusted for local purchasing power.
Niger ranked 11th poorest globally ($2,108.46), Burkina Faso took the 16th spot ($3,060.34), and Togo was placed 21st ($3,563.31). Further up the scale, Cameroon ranked 38th ($5,782.69), Kenya took the 44th spot ($7,590.60), Côte d’Ivoire was 48th ($8,165.34), and Ghana ranked 51st ($8,613.25).
Beyond Africa, the index of the 60 lowest-ranked economies includes conflict-ridden or economically isolated nations such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Venezuela.
Analysts note that while Nigeria’s slide from 44th to 56th in the “poorest” index indicates a relative statistical improvement in GDP per capita PPP terms, the country’s broader macroeconomic challenges—such as high inflation and currency volatility—continue to impact the actual standard of living for everyday citizens.
The World’s Poorest Countries: Select 2026 Rankings**
(Based on GDP-PPP in US Dollars)
Full list
Burundi — $994.23
Central African Republic — $1,437.72
South Sudan — $1,467.19
Yemen — $1,590.19
Mozambique — $1,688.91
Malawi — $1,758.03
Somalia — $1,905.21
Liberia — $1,979.42
Madagascar — $2,030.36
Democratic Republic of the Congo — $2,032.68
Niger — $2,108.46
Afghanistan — $2,304.07
Sudan — $2,427.43
Solomon Islands — $2,595.87
Haiti — $2,999.44
Burkina Faso — $3,060.34
Lesotho — $3,211.83
Chad — $3,284.18
Guinea-Bissau — $3,304.84
Mali — $3,480.41
Togo — $3,563.31
The Gambia — $3,664.60
Sierra Leone — $3,709.84
Kiribati — $3,755.66
Papua New Guinea — $3,813.37
Uganda — $3,923.83
Vanuatu — $3,938.10
Comoros — $4,031.17
Rwanda — $4,190.43
Tanzania — $4,354.57
Zambia — $4,380.77
Ethiopia — $4,498.55
Guinea — $4,746.77
Benin — $4,758.22
Myanmar — $5,047.32
Timor-Leste — $5,060.22
Source: Global Finance Magazine (2026)
