Multiple sources identify South Sudan as the poorest country in the world in 2024. This designation is often based on metrics like GDP per capita (PPP), which measures the value of goods and services produced per person, adjusted for purchasing power parity. However, different organizations use varying methodologies and data, leading to slight discrepancies in rankings.
Understanding the Data
Several sources corroborate South Sudan's position as the poorest:
- Global Finance Magazine, in their article "Poorest Countries in the World 2024," ranks South Sudan at the top of the list of the ten poorest countries. https://gfmag.com/data/economic-data/poorest-country-in-the-world/
- Sapa-USA reports South Sudan's GDP-PPP per capita as $455, solidifying its position at the bottom. https://sapa-usa.org/top-poorest-countries-in-the-world/
- The Indian Express also lists South Sudan as the poorest, emphasizing its low GDP per capita and highlighting the prevalence of African nations in the bottom ten. https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-poorest-countries-in-the-world-in-2024-by-gdp-per-capita-9557753/
It's important to note that other sources might present slightly different rankings due to variations in data collection methods and the specific metrics used. For instance, World Population Review cites Burundi as the poorest using a different methodology. However, the overwhelming consensus points towards South Sudan.
Factors Contributing to Poverty in South Sudan
South Sudan's poverty is a complex issue stemming from various factors including:
- Political instability and conflict: Years of civil war and ongoing conflict have devastated the country's infrastructure and economy.
- Weak governance and corruption: Inefficient government structures and widespread corruption hinder economic development and resource allocation.
- Climate change and environmental challenges: Droughts and other climate-related events exacerbate food insecurity and displacement.
- Lack of access to basic services: Limited access to healthcare, education, and clean water further impacts the well-being of the population.
