According to a recent report by Visual Capitalist, drawing on data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Nigeria ranks as the 12th poorest country in the world by GDP per capita in 2025.
Out of 189 countries analysed, Nigeria is placed at 178th position, with a GDP per capita of $807. Despite being one of Africa’s largest economies by total GDP, the country’s immense population size weighs heavily on individual economic output, revealing widespread income disparity and poverty.
The GDP per capita metric, which divides a country’s total economic output by its population, provides a clearer picture of how wealth is distributed on a per-person basis, regardless of the nation’s size or total GDP.
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At the very bottom of the list is South Sudan, with a GDP per capita of $251, followed closely by Yemen, Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Malawi. These countries, like Nigeria, continue to grapple with internal conflict, weak institutions, and underdeveloped industries that hinder income growth.
India is also featured on the list, positioned as the 50th poorest country with a GDP per capita of $2,878. Despite being the fourth-largest economy globally, India’s large population similarly lowers its per-person wealth ranking—a phenomenon also observed in Nigeria.
The report highlights that Nigeria’s economic struggles are reflective of broader challenges facing many low-income nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Other countries such as Madagascar, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Niger also appear among the world’s poorest by GDP per capita.
Data for Afghanistan, Eritrea, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Palestine were not available and were excluded from the rankings.
Ultimately, the report underscores a stark reality: being a large economy does not always equate to prosperity for the average citizen, particularly when systemic issues continue to stifle economic inclusion and growth.
