Nigeria has dropped to 56th position among the world’s 60 poorest countries in Global Finance magazine’s 2026 ranking.
The ranking, based on GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP), puts Nigeria’s figure at $9,532.92.
Nigeria ranked 44th in the 2025 edition, meaning the country has fallen 12 places in the latest ranking.
Burundi emerged as the world’s poorest country, with a GDP per capita of $994.23.
It was followed by the Central African Republic with $1,437.72 and South Sudan with $1,467.19.
Nine of the 10 poorest countries are African, with Yemen the only non-African country in the bottom 10.
The 10 poorest countries are:
- 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
- DR Congo — $2,032.68
Nigeria ranked above Niger, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana and Kenya, but below Angola and Laos.
Among other African countries, Niger ranked 11th with $2,108.46, while Sudan came 13th with $2,427.43.
Burkina Faso ranked 16th at $3,060.34, followed by Chad at 18th with $3,284.18.
Mali ranked 20th with $3,480.41, while Sierra Leone came 23rd with $3,709.84.
Ghana ranked 51st with $8,613.25, while Kenya occupied 44th position with $7,590.60.
Côte d’Ivoire ranked 48th with $8,165.34.
GDP per capita at PPP adjusts economic output to account for differences in living costs and inflation across countries.
Nigeria’s 12-place drop highlights the economic pressures confronting the country, even as many African nations continue to dominate the bottom of the global ranking.
The latest figures also show major changes elsewhere, with Burundi moving from second to first place and South Sudan falling from first to third.
